Meaning: “My God is an oath”
Gender: Female
Pronunciation: LEES-bet or LIZ-beth
Origin: German
Other forms of the name: Elisabeth, Elizabeth, Lizbeth, Liesbeth, Lijsbeth
The dark heroine of the Swedish novel “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, Lisbeth Salander, could give this name a bit of a punch that it needs. It has already been made into a Swedish movie starring Noomi Rapace and the American movie will be out soon starring Rooney Mara, so it seems fated to a rise in popularity. The name Lisbeth is a German short form of the name Elisabeth; it has only been on the US’s top names list twice, once in 2002 at #624 and in 2003 at #741. The name Elisabeth is sometimes used instead of Elizabeth in the Bible and is quite popular US, Norway, Austria, the Netherlands, and France.
Lisbeth Salander got her name because author Stieg Larsson witnessed a girl being sexually abused when he was 15 whose name was Lisbeth. He never forgave himself for not helping her and this inspired the theme of sexual abuse against women. Lisbeth is a young antisocial but extremely intelligent computer hacker and private detective who is described as being pale and anorexic with short hair and a pierced nose and eyebrows. She has a wasp tattoo on her neck, a loop on her left arm and one on her ankle, and a dragon tattoo sometimes visible on her shoulder.
Abby said:
Ah, Lisbeth is lovely, very fresh. Isn’t Elizabeth popular now? If so, I definitely think Lisbeth has the potential to be pretty big. I really like Lisbeth.
waltzingmorethanmatilda said:
Sweet name; I wonder if the movie will have any impact?
Zeffy said:
Hello, I just found your website and *sigh* love it! The names you feature are just my cup of tea. Lisbeth has been a favourite of mine since I read the Millenium Trilogy, although I do know a Lisbeth (she doesn’t go by it, instead she goes by her middle name of Coral). She thinks the name is too heavy, but I think it has huge potential. I am now going off to snoop through your archives, lol.
Bree said:
Wow, I am so flattered! I’m so happy you enjoy it! Lisbeth Coral is really gorgeous and I agree, it has plenty of potential.
Marilyn said:
Our daughter, who is 8 months old is named Lisbeth Rose. Her nickname for now, is Little Beth.