| Meaning | God is my oath |
| Origin | Dutch, German, Hebrew |
| Gender | Girl |
| Popularity | Moderate |
| Length | 4 |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Syllabification | Il-se |
About Ilse
Crisp and efficient, this name conveys no-nonsense practicality while maintaining feminine grace. The Germanic roots bring a sense of heritage and tradition to families with European connections, though it crosses cultural boundaries with surprising ease. Its brevity makes it punchy and memorable, ensuring it won't be lost in lengthy introductions or forgotten after casual meetings. The name suggests someone competent and capable, with an inner strength that doesn't require external validation or attention-seeking behavior. It remains relatively uncommon in many English-speaking regions, providing distinction without the complications that often accompany unusual choices. The pronunciation, while occasionally requiring initial clarification, quickly becomes familiar and feels natural in conversation. It pairs well with longer, more elaborate middle names for those seeking balance in the complete name structure. The name's understated quality appeals to parents who appreciate subtlety over showiness, preferring quiet confidence to loud declarations. It's a choice for those who trust their daughter will define the name rather than being defined by it.
Nicknames for Ilse
| Ilsie |
| Ili |
| Isie |
| Elsie |
Famous People Named Ilse
| Ilse Aichinger | Austrian author |
| Ilse DeLange | Dutch singer |
| Ilse Heylen | Belgian judoka |
| Ilse Huizinga | Dutch jazz singer |
| Ilse Koch | German concentration camp supervisor |
| Ilse Kubaschewski | German materials scientist |
| Ilse Newell | American philanthropist |
| Ilse Salas | Mexican actress |
| Ilse Steppat | German actress |
| Ilse Werner | German actress and singer |
| Ilse Metchek | American fashion industry leader |
| Ilse Köhler-Rollefson | German veterinarian and activist |
| Ilse Uyttersprot | Belgian politician |
| Ilse Delange | Dutch singer-songwriter |
| Ilse Bing | German photographer |
| Ilse-Eerika Valkonen | Finnish politician |
| Ilse Van Hoecke | Belgian television presenter |
| Ilse Van Roy | Belgian singer |
| Ilse Van den Bulck | Belgian field hockey player |
Characters Named Ilse
| Ilse Burnley | character in Agatha Christie's "Evil Under the Sun" |
| Ilse Neumann | character in Lucy Maud Montgomery's "Emily's Quest" |
| Ilse Wagner | character in Ann M. Martin's "Baby-Sitters Club" series |
| Ilse Klein | character in "Sunday in the Park with George" musical |
| Ilse Abramowitz | character in the play "Spring Awakening" |
| Ilse Beckmann | character in Klaus Mann's novel "Mephisto" |
| Ilse Lund | character in the book "Summer in Tuscany" by Elizabeth Adler |
| Ilse Worthmann | character in Ursula Hegi's novel "Stones from the River" |
| Ilse Schuneman | character in Anna Seghers' novel "Transit" |
| Ilse Westerman | character in "The Grass Is Singing" by Doris Lessing |
| Ilse Kestner | character in Hermann Hesse's "Narcissus and Goldmund" |
| Ilse Bräuer | character in Heinrich Böll's "The Clown" |
| Ilse Buchmeier | character in W. G. Sebald's "The Emigrants" |
| Ilse Madden | character in "The Song of Names" by Norman Lebrecht |