Else

Else is a North Germanic and Low German short form of Elisabeth, itself derived from the Hebrew Elisheba, meaning something along the lines of my God is an oath or my God is abundance. The name has been in common use across Scandinavia, Germany, and the Netherlands for centuries, carried by numerous literary and historical figures, including the protagonist of the Danish fairy tale Clever Else recorded by the Brothers Grimm. Related forms include Elsa, Elise, and Lisa, all tracing back to the same Hebrew source.