'Elisabeth' originates from Hebrew, specifically the word 'Elisheva', where 'El' meant 'God' and 'sheva' meant 'oath' (also 'seven' in some etymologies).

'Elisabeth' changed from the Hebrew name 'Elisheva' to the Greek form 'Elisábēth' (Ελισάβετ), then into Latin and Medieval forms (e.g. 'Elisabetha' / 'Elisabet'), and eventually became the modern English names 'Elisabeth' and 'Elizabeth'.

Initially it meant 'God is my oath' (or relatedly 'God is abundance' in some traditions); over time it evolved into a widely used female personal name, the original literal sense remaining primarily as the name's etymological meaning.