Ysella as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Ysella

What is the meaning of the name Ysella ?

The baby name Ysella is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced ih-SELL-ə.

Ysella is Cornish in Origin.

Ysella is a feminine given name from the Brythonic Celtic languages of Cornwall and Brittany. It derives from Cornish ysel and Breton izel, adjectives meaning “low, humble,” with the feminine suffix -a, yielding the sense “the modest one” or “modesty.” The same root appears in regional toponyms (e.g., Bro-Izel, “Lower Brittany”), underscoring its native character.

As a personal name, Ysella is rare in medieval records but gained currency during the 19th–20th century Celtic revival and now sees limited contemporary use in Cornwall and among Breton speakers seeking heritage names. Variants include Isella (Anglicized/I-initial), Izella (standard Breton), and occasional spellings Yselle or Izelle; short forms Ella, Sella, and Zella occur in English contexts. Related is Breton Izel (unisex). The name’s gentle meaning and distinctive Y- opening invite comparisons to Yseult or Isabelle, though it is etymologically unrelated.

⚙ Ysella is far from common. We count 17 recorded uses of it across 3 countries.