She’s an exotic goddess name, and since the 1990s, she’s been worn by a growing number of baby girls in the US, too.
Thanks to Meredith for suggesting Isis as our Baby Name of the Day.
File Isis with Imogen and Cedric – names that were morphed and mangled into something different.
Isis started out as something like Ueset, Aset, or Iset – the Egyptians didn’t write down their vowels, so it is left to guesswork, though scholars are fairly certain that the Greeks added the -s ending. Egyptologists pronounce the name ee set or ee sah; in American English eye sis is the norm.
By any name, Isis was a powerful figure. The Egyptians gave her dominion over fertility and magic, children and the sky. She was said to hear the prayers of slaves and kings alike. The annual flooding of the Nile was attributed to tears she shed over the death of her husband Osiris.
Her cult spread well beyond Ancient Egypt. Isis was worshipped throughout the Greco-Roman world until advent of Christianity.
Creative types have long found Isis irresistible. Jean-Baptiste Lully titled his 1677 opera Isis, though the subject strayed from Egyptian myth. In the opera version, philandering Jupiter is having an affair with Io. Jealous Juno kidnaps and tortures Io until Jupiter brokers a deal – he’ll stay faithful; Io will be transformed into the goddess Isis.
It’s almost an insult to find that there’s not a better operatic adaptation of her tale.
But there’s a San Diego theater that wore the name, and a fabulous Bob Dylan song called “Isis,” about a man’s marriage to a mysterious woman. There’s a White Stripes cover, too, suggesting that Isis could yet be discovered by another generation of parents.
That same generation knows Isis as a super hero.
Depending on when you grew up, you might recall CBS’ Saturday morning live action series The Secrets of Isis. Isis predated Wonder Woman and The Bionic Woman, making her the first live action superheroine to have her own show. Mild-mannered science teacher Andrea Thomas is on a archeological dig in Egypt when she discovers a magical amulet that transforms her into the crime fighting goddess Isis.
The character lived on in a DC Comics series. Marvel Comics also modeled a hero on the goddess, as did Bluewater Comics.
But the most visible Isis in recent years was 2008 America’s Next Top Model contestant Isis King. The series is always known for interesting appellations – King’s fellow contestants included a girl called Clark and an Analeigh. King was truly intriguing – she’s the first transgendered woman to compete on the show, and remains quite visible.
The name, however, is slipping. While she still ranked #614 in 2009, that’s down from her peak of #522 in 2005. Isis likely appeals to parents eager to avoid Christian and Anglo-Saxon associations, though she’s not much of a heritage choice. Her sound is compatible with the chart-topping Isabella, as well as the botanical Iris, but more exotic than either.
She’s daring and distinctive, but is still more common than many a goddess name.
flightyfowl says
October 21, 2015 at 2:18 AMDoes no one realize ISIS stands for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, as in the extremist terrorist group?! If I was named Isis right now I’d want to change my name ASAP!
Rachel says
November 29, 2017 at 5:30 PMYeah, I’d recommend removing this name from the recommendations list… It was originally posted in 2010, but the name is really no longer an option in 2017.
Lucy says
September 24, 2012 at 8:59 AMHi there, I love your blog!! Just wondering… I would love to read this post but can only see the first few lines (up to “Thanks to…”) This has happened to me a few times on this site with different posts. Is it me/my computer or is something else going on?
Bek says
September 23, 2010 at 1:10 PMA girl named Isis came to our high school as a new student – she was a gorgeous girl that had just moved from Puerto Rico. So her stunning good looks, plus “new girl” syndrome, landed her on the most wanted lists of every boy.
But I think had she been an average girl from Hoboken… well… she may not have faired so well 😉
I just remember thinking at the time that only this girl could wear the name of a goddess.
Lea says
September 22, 2010 at 2:33 AMOh I absolutely love Isis! It’s been on my favorites list for a really long time. I’m so glad you did a post on it! 🙂
Holey says
September 21, 2010 at 11:41 PMThe name Isis always reminds me of the weird incident a few years ago where California’s education commissioner told some little girl named Isis that her name meant “stupid dirty girl.” I like the name, though. It’s simple but unusual and very regal-sounding.
appellationmountain says
September 22, 2010 at 8:25 PMI hadn’t realized the name in question was Isis – that was truly shocking.
liz says
September 21, 2010 at 11:08 PMBring on the goddess names! Their time has come….
Julie says
September 21, 2010 at 10:46 PMIsis isn’t as “out there” as some goddess names, however I picture Isis as beautiful, but rigidly formal and severe. I’m know that I’m getting that idea from the depictions of Isis in Egyptian art, so if I knew a “real” Isis, I’d probably change my mind.
I’ve seen Isis a few baby announcements, so maybe I’ll meet one someday.
Kristine says
September 21, 2010 at 8:39 PMReminds me of Irie, but I don’t know anything about its origin – perhaps name of the day?
Christina Fonseca says
September 21, 2010 at 2:47 PMI like it. My aunt has a friend by the name and it suits her.
Charlotte Vera says
September 21, 2010 at 12:34 PMI have a hard time seeing this name on real people — it reads too decidedly Egyptian goddess to me. I think that most girls would wear it. . .strangely.
appellationmountain says
September 21, 2010 at 6:50 PMI know what you mean, Charlotte – I had that reaction the first time I heard a mom at Target calling her daughter Isis. But, hey, I call my daughter Clio, so somehow it seems like the Egyptian reference fades when it is worn by a real child!
Sebastiane says
September 21, 2010 at 9:11 AMI really liked Isis, till I met a girl with the name and it really did not suit her. She was frumpy and incredibly dull and I had always imagined an Isis to be the complete opposite. I still like the name, but I think its a name that only certain people can pull off, I cannot see it on a soccor mom or a store clerk. I can only see it on a supermodel or a queen.
appellationmountain says
September 22, 2010 at 8:27 PMThat’s the risk of many unusual names, isn’t it? A supermodel could be named Fred and everyone would say “ooh, suits her!” But we mere mortals aren’t always so fortunate …
Joy says
September 21, 2010 at 8:06 AMI loved the show! It was in the same days as Shazam. I’m surprised to learn that the name charts so high. Not my taste, but an interesting choice.