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ArchivesThe names Elizabeth and Izabel
Before proceeding, I should note that I am fluent in Hebrew and a student of history.
Now, that I've note the above I'll proceed to address an error in the references to both names at this site.
The origin of the name Elizabeth (and respective permutations of the name in various languages) is the Hebrew name Elisheva ( אלישבע ). It could be loosely translated as "G-d's promise" (Eli=(my)G-d) and Sheva, from the word Shvua, meaning "oath" and interpreted also as "promise"
The origin of the name Izabel, Jesabel, Isabel (and respective permutations of the name in various languages) is the Phoenician name Izevel. Izevel married the king of the northern kingdom of Israel in the 9th C BC. That kingdom is now referred to as the "10 lost tribes". She came from a pagan background and was not respected nor well regarded. When written with Hebrew letters ( איזבל ), the pronunciation also means "Island of" or "remote place of" for the first part ( אי ), pronounced as "Ee" and "garbage" or "refuse" for the second part ( זבל ), pronounced as Zevel. The two parts together can mean "remote trash" or "foreign trash". This jives and conicides with the reputation of the Phoenician pagan woman who married the king of the Northern kingdom of Israel in the 9th C BC.
In no manner whatsoever, are the names Elizabeth and Izabel connected or derived from one another. The later permutations of the sounds of the respective words, occurring centuries later in Spain, etc. do not support the suggestion of congruence nor derivation. This should be noted as the two names are substantially different, of different origin, meaning and history.
Now, that I've note the above I'll proceed to address an error in the references to both names at this site.
The origin of the name Elizabeth (and respective permutations of the name in various languages) is the Hebrew name Elisheva ( אלישבע ). It could be loosely translated as "G-d's promise" (Eli=(my)G-d) and Sheva, from the word Shvua, meaning "oath" and interpreted also as "promise"
The origin of the name Izabel, Jesabel, Isabel (and respective permutations of the name in various languages) is the Phoenician name Izevel. Izevel married the king of the northern kingdom of Israel in the 9th C BC. That kingdom is now referred to as the "10 lost tribes". She came from a pagan background and was not respected nor well regarded. When written with Hebrew letters ( איזבל ), the pronunciation also means "Island of" or "remote place of" for the first part ( אי ), pronounced as "Ee" and "garbage" or "refuse" for the second part ( זבל ), pronounced as Zevel. The two parts together can mean "remote trash" or "foreign trash". This jives and conicides with the reputation of the Phoenician pagan woman who married the king of the Northern kingdom of Israel in the 9th C BC.
In no manner whatsoever, are the names Elizabeth and Izabel connected or derived from one another. The later permutations of the sounds of the respective words, occurring centuries later in Spain, etc. do not support the suggestion of congruence nor derivation. This should be noted as the two names are substantially different, of different origin, meaning and history.
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"This should be noted as the two names are substantially different, of different origin, meaning and history."
Except that the two names are absolutely one and the same in Portuguese, Spanish and many other languages which have no other traditional version of Elizabeth. The queen of the UK is known as Isabel II in Spain and Portugal. Isabel is simply a medieval form of Elizabeth and its similarities to Jezebel and the other names you mention are just coincidences.
The evolution from Elizabeth to Isabel is very easy to explain. The initial "E" was dropped (this happens in many medieval names: Alienor > Eleonore > Leonor ; Edward > Eduarte > Duarte) and the final sound "th" was changed overtime to "l". Names are words and they change and evolve with time. Before people knew how to write, they changed even faster.
Many medieval forms of names have little or no similarity to the original Greek, Latin, or Hebrew name, but no-one questions that James comes from Yakov, Ines comes from Hagne, or that Alice comes from Adelheidis.
The name was initially used in honour of the biblical character, who was and is known as St Isabel in many languages. It was one of the most popular names in Christian Europe during the middle ages, a time when people would not give their daughters obscure Phoenician or Hebrerw names. Even in Britian and France the "erudite" form of the name, Elizabeth, only became common in the Late Middle Ages — Isabel / Isabella was the vernacular form in English until then (as shown by the queens and princesses who bore that name and the numerous surnames based on Isabella that still survive).
Except that the two names are absolutely one and the same in Portuguese, Spanish and many other languages which have no other traditional version of Elizabeth. The queen of the UK is known as Isabel II in Spain and Portugal. Isabel is simply a medieval form of Elizabeth and its similarities to Jezebel and the other names you mention are just coincidences.
The evolution from Elizabeth to Isabel is very easy to explain. The initial "E" was dropped (this happens in many medieval names: Alienor > Eleonore > Leonor ; Edward > Eduarte > Duarte) and the final sound "th" was changed overtime to "l". Names are words and they change and evolve with time. Before people knew how to write, they changed even faster.
Many medieval forms of names have little or no similarity to the original Greek, Latin, or Hebrew name, but no-one questions that James comes from Yakov, Ines comes from Hagne, or that Alice comes from Adelheidis.
The name was initially used in honour of the biblical character, who was and is known as St Isabel in many languages. It was one of the most popular names in Christian Europe during the middle ages, a time when people would not give their daughters obscure Phoenician or Hebrerw names. Even in Britian and France the "erudite" form of the name, Elizabeth, only became common in the Late Middle Ages — Isabel / Isabella was the vernacular form in English until then (as shown by the queens and princesses who bore that name and the numerous surnames based on Isabella that still survive).
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I hold no position on this matter, but your post raises a question for me,
Would Phoenician parents actually name their daughter "foreign trash?" I could see where the Hebrews would assign such a pun, AND how she would have brought infamy to her name, but if Isabel DOES derive from (a Phoenician name) Jezebel, wouldn't some Phoenician interpretation be more flattering?
Would Phoenician parents actually name their daughter "foreign trash?" I could see where the Hebrews would assign such a pun, AND how she would have brought infamy to her name, but if Isabel DOES derive from (a Phoenician name) Jezebel, wouldn't some Phoenician interpretation be more flattering?
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I'm curious what you have to say about the entry for Jezebel on this site. It says Izevel is "from the Hebrew אִיזֶבֶל ('Izevel) which probably means 'where is the prince?', a ritual question spoken in ceremonies honouring Baal." I get that the enemies of a queen made a pun of her name and it helped them defame her, but the meaning of her original name is also interesting.
How do you know for sure that Isabel is related to Jezebel and not at all to Elizabeth? It seems like you're assuming it's so, because in Hebrew the names sound so similar.
There's an interesting comment on the name Isabel someone left on this site, suggesting as you do that Isabel and Jezebel are the same but also suggesting that they may even be the same origin as Elizabeth.
http://www.behindthename.com/name/isabel/comments
But, no more support is offered for that information than you've offered for yours. Do you have any references?
How do you know for sure that Isabel is related to Jezebel and not at all to Elizabeth? It seems like you're assuming it's so, because in Hebrew the names sound so similar.
There's an interesting comment on the name Isabel someone left on this site, suggesting as you do that Isabel and Jezebel are the same but also suggesting that they may even be the same origin as Elizabeth.
http://www.behindthename.com/name/isabel/comments
But, no more support is offered for that information than you've offered for yours. Do you have any references?
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