All about the name

Iseult

Female

« Iseult: An uncommon Irish girl's name derived from 'Isúilt', meaning 'very cold'. »

#31582 over 10 years

Meaning, origin, history

Iseult is a unique and captivating female given name of Irish origin. Derived from the Old Irish word "Isúilt," which means "ice cold" or "very cold," Iseult is believed to have been inspired by the wintry weather that characterized Ireland's climate during the time when the name first came into usage. The name Iseult gained significant popularity and recognition through its association with the legendary figure of Iseult of Brittany, a character from the medieval French Arthurian romance "Tristan and Iseult." In this tragic love story, Iseult of Brittany is a queen who unwittingly drinks a love potion meant for her husband, King Mark of Cornwall, intended to make her fall in love with him instead. However, the potion causes her to fall deeply in love with Tristan, her husband's nephew and knight, who was tasked with bringing her back from Ireland. Although Iseult has been used as a female given name since at least the Middle Ages, it remained relatively uncommon until the late 20th century. Today, Iseult is still considered somewhat rare compared to other popular names but continues to be chosen by parents looking for distinctive and memorable names for their daughters. In summary, Iseult is an enchanting Irish name that carries a cool and refreshing meaning. With its rich historical background and unique associations with the Arthurian legend of Tristan and Iseult, this captivating name offers an appealing choice for parents seeking a distinctive name for their daughter.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Iseult since 1880

Total births
5
Total since 1880
Peak year
2016
5 births
in 2016
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-100%
vs previous 5 years