International Variations of Elizabeth

Eliška is warm and friendly, in the Misha, Sasha mode.

Liza's heyday was the mid-1970s, following on the heels of super-popular sister Lisa. But thanks to the fact that it never became superpopular, Liza remains a name not especially tied to one generation or style.

Bettina is a dainty ballerina version of Betty, that has not been heard much since its 1950s-60s heyday. Bettina appeared in the Danielle Steele novel Loving, and in real life as one of Grace Kelly's bridesmaids.

A less common relic of the Claudette-Paulette-Annette era. Babette's Feast is a 1987 Danish film based on a Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) story about a cook who wins the lottery and prepares an elaborate feast.

Although they could be easily confused, Elsbeth is a fairly unusual contracted German version of Elizabeth, while cousin Elspeth hails from Scotland. With its 'beth' ending, Elsbeth feels closer to the mother name.

A short form of Izabela, popular as a stand-alone name in Slovenia where it ranks in the Top 50. It might also be used in Poland, Czechia, Georgia, Hungary, and elsewhere as a form of Izabela/lla, Izidora, Izolda, Elizabeth, Adeliza, and similar.

Pronounced with two syllables, as if spelled Ilsa, Ilse is popular in The Netherlands and may rise here with cousin Elsa.

Issa might make more sense if you're using it as a nickname for any one of the various names ending in -issa, but this spelling is also an Arabic and Hebrew boy name. The Isa spelling is almost exclusively feminine.

A short form of Elisabeth, similar in sound to the 60s favorite Lisa.

Sweet and simple with an international vibe, Lusa is used as a diminutive for a variety of different names across multiple languages. A rare choice in the US, it was chosen by influencers Ema and Branden Taylor in 2025 for their daughter Lusa Sage.

A rare name even among Basque speakers (fewer than 20 women in Spain are called Elixane), this beautiful name has drawn some attention via Elixane Lechemia, the French pro-tennis player.

Elisheva was the original name of Aaron's wife in the Book of Exodus; Elisheva gains strength and distinction via the v sound.

Lilabet is a charming feminine name that originated as an affectionate Scottish diminutive of Elizabeth. The name gained wider recognition as it was the childhood nickname of Queen Elizabeth II, used by her close family members, particularly her father, King George VI. Lilabet combines the popular 'Lil' prefix seen in names like Lily and Lillian with a shortened version of Elizabeth, creating a name that feels both familiar and distinctive. Though uncommon as a formal given name, it offers a sweet alternative to the more common Elizabeth derivatives like Liz, Beth, or Eliza. The name carries a cozy, intimate quality while maintaining royal associations. Its rarity makes it appealing to parents seeking a name with historical connections yet an uncommon presence in modern naming trends.

A sweet, simple mini-name that fits into many cultures. The only drawback is the potential for confusion with Ella, Ayla, and other similar names.

While this might look like a modern spelling of the classic Isabella, it is also the Hungarian and Polish form, pronounced with an EE sound at the beginning. A Top 50 name in Hungary and a Top 200 name in Poland, this form is also popular in Latvia.

Ysabel is the original spelling of this ever-more-popular name, though to English-speakers, the initial Y may confuse pronunciation. Only 14 baby girls were given the Ysabel spelling in the US last year, while Isabel and Isabelle were each given to about 1800 babies.

Whether you spell it Lisette or Lizette, a somewhat dated diminutive that nevertheless retains some charm.

Erzsébet, a Hungarian form of Elizabeth, has a lot of historical significance in its native country - being the native name of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, the infamous countess and serial killer Elizabeth Báthory, and Empress Elizabeth of Austria and Queen of Hungary. One of Budapest's famous bridges is also named Erzsébet Bridge.