When does a diminutive form of a classic appellation gain enough stature to stand on her own?
It’s a tricky question, but we feel confident that this one passes the test. Thanks to Natalie for suggesting today’s Name of the Day: Liesel.
The best known bearer of the name is one of The Sound of Music’s singing von Trapp siblings. The eldest of the Bavarian Brady Bunch, she sang “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” on Broadway beginning in 1959 and then in the enduring classic 1965 movie version. Trivia buffs might recall that the rest of the clan consisted of Friedrich, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta and Gretl. In real life, Liesl was known as Agathe and her younger siblings were Rupert, Maria, Werner, Hedwig, Johanna and Martina.
Liesel is as German as strudel. It emerged as a short form of Elisabeth, which enjoyed just as much popularity in German-speaking countries as elsewhere. She shares her source’s meaning – My God is a vow, from the Hebrew Elisheva. Both Liesl and Liesel are used, but we think the “el” version seems more accessible in the US.
As an independent name, neither has topped the charts in Germany – nor has she even peeked into the US Top 1000. The similar Lisa, however, has been a smash on both sides of the ocean. In the US, she held the top spot for girls born between 1962 and 1969. Since those years were also the heyday of The Sound of Music, it’s possible that the character had some influence on the craze, but it’s impossible to link with any certainty. Plus, Lisa had been in the US Top 25 since 1958.
While Libby, Betsy and plenty of other Elizabeth/Elisabeth short forms feel too insubstantial to bestow independently, Liesel’s German origins distance her from her origins as a nickname. And with all the buzz surrounding other mädchen monikers like Lorelei and Anneliese, Leisel might fit in perfectly with emerging trends.
If you’ve been watching the Beijing Olympics, you may have spotted an Australian swimmer wearing this name – gold medalist Leisel Jones. She first competed in the Sydney games at the age of 15. That’s not a typo, either. While the typical German spelling is “ie,” we have stumbled across a few “ei” references, including MIss Jones.
If you caught the 1995 movie version of A Little Princess, that childhood staple, you might remember another notable Liesel. In the movie, she was billed as Liesel Matthews. In real life, she’s a member of the fabulously wealthy Pritzker family, and heiress to the Hyatt Hotels fortune.
We think Liesel’s vibe is feminine but not frilly. And she’s distinct enough from Elizabeth that only the most devoted nameniks will recognize that it’s not a separate name. With Lisa waning in popularity – she came in at an almost obscure #573 last year – there’s less chance of confusion.
As we watch Lorelei/Lorelai and Anneliese/Annalise/Annalisa prepare to supernova, Liesel seems like a better choice for parents hoping for something a smidge Bavarian, but still seldom heard.
I think there is some kind of mass cover up of the name Magina! Someone told me on a board that she taught a girl by this name, but the student goes by her mn. I would think it to be after a relative.
Call me a pervy, but Orla reminds me of oral, which is usually mentioned as its main drawback.
I knew a woman in her early 20s by the name of Tamar. It fit her very well.
Arden is actually my ds’s mn. I only ever hear it – not irl – on girls despite it being ranked for males until the 60’s. Not that that means anything today. 😛
I never even thought about the fact that Liesel rhymes with weasel! LOL. I still kinda love her, but I guess that makes for one more problem to overlook.
Rocking Fetal, I was about to say “no way” to Magina – at least knowing how it is pronounced! – but believe it or not, I find it in US census records pretty steadily in the late 19th/early 20th century. There’s got to be a story there.
Katharine, Orla is an interesting one. I’ve heard it come up in conversation on a few boards, so let’s make her NotD on September 10.
Tamar is one of my sister’s closest friends – I’ve almost put her on the NotD list before, Another, so thanks for the excuse. She’s September 12.
Yarden, though – yikes! I could *almost* see Arden, but Yarden? Still, with Jordan being so hot, there’s no reason Yarden couldn’t work. I’ll see what I can dig up on September 14.
Haha! I noticed that misspelled Leisel Jones when my husband and I were watching the Olympics last week. I said something about it to him, “Do you think she pronounces it LYEsel” but he never studied German and didn’t understand my reference.
I like the name Liesl or Liesel, but our last name starts with and L and it just sounds weird. Also, I recently met a Liesel, and would not be able to name my child that – the association is too strong now.
On the other hand, I really like Elisheva. I like it about as much as I like Elizabeth, although we have a Lizzy in the famiy, so the name is out. Elisheva, though…it’s got a nice sound. Strange, right?
By the way, I know a Tamar and she just had a granddaughter named Yarden. I was wondering if you could discuss these names. They are…interesting…or something.
I’m have to agree that the rhymes really trip me up with this name. I hear Leisel as so close to diesel and weasel that it’s hard to imagine it feminine.
Love Marta, Louisa, Johanna and Martina, though . . .
I also have a suggestion for name of the day, following on from Isla – what about looking into Orla? This intriguing Irish moniker is gaining significant ground in the UK and I would be interested to see if people prefer it to Isla or not…
I’m with Lola and Apellation Mountain’s husband on this one, the ‘e’ just looks wrong, to me it’s Liesl. I know a Liesl actually which is bound to have influenced my opinion (her mum got the idea for her name after -you guessed it- watching the Sound of Music!) Whats more, she’s a very willowy, almost fragile looking character and thus fits Lola’s description perfectly. I neither like nor dislike the name but instead find it an interesting choice…
I never cared for this name. I would Dr. Seuss it the diesel and weasel route, which really turned me off. Suddenly, I really like it! I’m not sure what has changed. I think the harsh sounding names as well as -l endings have peaked my curiosity. I think I could totally get away w/ a lil Liesel considering my family’s hardcore German origins. Matilda, Liesel & Greta make me smile. I still have yet to embrace Gretel though.
Speaking of which… I have a suggestion for NoTD if you are up for something silly and perhaps challenging: Magina. Pronounced like the most unfortunate rhyme, yes. It is my grandmother’s name, and I can’t find its origins anywhere! She will proudly tell you how she was named after a woman from a neighboring town. I’ve never found this name in a book, though one site simply lists it as Russian. I would have assumed it to be German considering her lineage. She’s never gone by a nn, and any obvious associations appear to be lost on her. I can’t imagine growing up w/ this name, and no one believes me when I tell them! Personally, I would EXCLUSIVELY go by Maggie.
As it happens, my husband – who believe it or not, used to vacation at the Trapp Family Lodge, operated by the Sound of Music family in Vermont – shares your preference for Liesl, Lola. He agrees that the extra “e” looks wrong.
I honestly thought it was spelled Leisel when I started this, and since I don’t speak a word of German, it took some doing to figure out which was right. (Normally I just badger my German-speaking neighbors, but we’re away.) Anyhow, the potential for misspelling is one of those things that puts me off a name.
But it was one of the names that I wanted for myself back when I first watched the movie and was struggling through elementary school as one of five Amys.
So Liesel is not for me, but I’d far rather meet (or be) a Liesel, Liesl or even Leisel than a Lorelei.
I don’t like it. Flat out. Eww. I still find it rather diminutive and cutesy. I’d never poke fun of her when she’s already on a child but Liesel/Liesl is not for me, despite my half German paternal Grandmother (the other half was Spansh). I dislike Lisa as well. Too crystalline and fragile sounding for me. Not substantial like I prefer.
I do like her more than things like Eden, Haven and ick, Madison (as well as Anneliese, whose multiple mispellings drive me bananas). I’d give her a tiny thumbsup and a 5 on a scale of 1-10. Liesl/Leisel is okay but not fabulous. (and I’d rather Liesl over Liesel.. it just looks better).
I really like Liesel. It’s short, simple and sweet, and it sounds fresh compared to Lisa. It’s a pretty and strong choice for a girl. Liesel gets a thumbs up from me 🙂