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.
Don’t forget about Liesel from the Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I love this name so much!
I am a Liesel, as you can see, and as a child, I hated my name. I was ridiculed throughout my entire school career and wished to change it all during that time, as it only brought bad memories. But then my mother and grandmother(both 100% German) explained just how special this name was to them. When I became an adult, I realized just how special a unique name can be…..when I hear my name( either mispronouced or not), I KNOW I am the ONLY one they are talking about around me! Although I have met other Liesel’s, and am very good friends with another that also has the same MARRIED last name as I do :), I still feel that we all share a special kinship that others with “normal” and “common” names do not. I thank my parents for making me just a bit more special than others …no offense to anyone else out there 🙂
Liesel 🙂
I know you posted this a long time ago, but I wanted to thank you for sharing your experience. We named our daughter Leisl (a friend’s spelling) (though it is very meaningful to us for several reasons which I can’t wait to explain to her).
She is three now, and the name is so her. She currently loves her name, though I know that will go back and forth as she gets older. I am Asha, and I had the same experience that you describe, being frustrated about it until I realized the benefits of having an uncommon name.
Any suggestions for a middle name to go with Liesl? At first, I thought about Liesl Elizabeth, but then I realized that Liesl is a short form of Elizabeth. I couldn’t have an Elizabeth Elizabeth Joiner, now could I ? 🙂 I want something that flows with Liesl as a first name.
Ah, but you could, Jessica! I’ve seen Isabella Elizabeth more than once. 🙂
If you’re going for classic: Liesl Katherine, Liesl Mary, Liesl Margaret! If you’re going for simplicity, Liesel Blair, Liesel Neve, Liesel Jane – after you! If you’re going for literary, Liesel Cordelia, Liesel Juliet, Liesel Cassandra. And because I just like them: Liesel Maren, Liesel Vrai, Liesel Avalon.
Best wishes & let us know what you choose – I do love Liesel!
mine is Marie. It’s fairly common, I’ve found, to pair Marie with L first names, both in the US and Germany.
I love the name liesl. Maybe because it is my name, though when I was born and my name was registered they missplelled it and I have been Lisle ever since…i often use diesel/weasel to phonetically say/spell my name to people who have not heared the name before. If I wasnt so attached to Lisle, I would have had it changed to Liesl…just looks better.
So glad I found your site! My family recently found out we were pregnant and Liesel is a definite contender for our baby if it’s a girl. I think it is such a sweet and precious name. We currently have three other girls: Imogen Layla, Helena Alice, and Penelope Jane. We are looking for another name just as sweet and traditional to fit in with the others. Our girls do go by nicknames; Isla, Hallie, and Poppy respectively. Imogen & Helena’s nn’s are used interchangeably with their real names, but I’m afraid Poppy probably doesn’t even know her name is really Penelope! I just wasn’t sure if Poppy was enough to stand alone.
Anyway, I’m rambling – I love your site and will be looking around for more ideas for both boys and girls. I’ll have to read to the girls about their names as well.
Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday 🙂
What great names, Alanna! I’m glad you’re finding the site helpful – and I can’t wait to hear what you choose for baby #4. Congrats! 🙂
I think Liesel is adorable, I have always had a soft spot for her, maybe because it reminds me of the Sound of Music.
We have a Liesel and she is coming up on 2 years old – obviously I love the name. I still adore it as much as the day we picked it.
I have had the odd person make the “weasel” and “diesel” references (more often weasel). Meh, whatever. You can rhyme almost any name if you try hard enough!
When we were considering spellings, we considered both Liesel and Liesl. Liesel is German and Liesl is Austrian. We’re German. Thus – Liesel. (I also considered the way the swimmer spells it – Leisel – but that just seemed too made up for me.)
I love the name Liesel!
All sides of my family descended from Germany, and after visiting Germany in 2006 I have become very fond of my heritage. I always loved the movie “Sound of Music” growing up and always loved doodling names on blank sheets of paper. Now that I’m getting married in 4.5 months and thinking of having children in 2 years I’ve been looking at names. My husband to be, is Greek, German and Swedish. His family though, always emphasizes the Greek, so I like to emphasis my German, so I want to name our girl (hopefully we have one) Liesl. I’ve really grown fond of this name and it would allow me to still keep my German heritage in our new family even though I’m dropping my maiden name of Metzbower or Mutzbauer (as it is in Germany). He however, he keeps saying that it makes him think of Diesel, honestly I really don’t think that a bunch of small children are going to pick up on this of course in a few years maybe, but then after boys get out of that stage of pestering girls, I think the similarity between the two will drop off. I still like this name a lot and threw around the idea of it being spelled Liesel, but went back to Liesl, I just like it better this way. It’s a very rare, feminine name I think, and is probably the most pretty that I’ve ever heard in regards to German names for girls.
Since you are still in the planning phase, I can tell you the pitfalls I experienced (mind you, I do love my name, but it does come with some baggage). My parents wanted a name without nicknames, you know, the normal variations on a name, like Tommy for Thomas, etc. What they forgot was the not so nice nicknames, like weasel and diesel. Or the mispronunciation issues that got me called Lysol all of 5th grade. That said, I do love being unique and gave my own daughter a unique German name as well, so if you still like it, go for it!
Liesel/Liesl … Hrmm… I wouldn’t consider this as a name for my own children, though I wouldn’t think it a bad name for a child. I’ll put it into the same category as Ketil/Ketill. I think it’s a nice name, but not necessarily the name I would bestow onto a child- unless, of course, we’re talking about it as a middle name. In which case, I believe Liesl could mesh very well with a variety of first names.