Isobel?

[ThatDamnDog]

Middle name Ann, for my mum.

[midnightexpress]

It's my DN's name and I love it.

[CapitalText]

Both lovely names and go well together

[Marrow]

I love it but it's very popular. DD has three Isobels in her class!

[SixtyFootDoll]

Was top of my lisst for both DS's if they had been girls.
I love it.

[ThatDamnDog]

That's good then. As long as it's not in the same realms as Fantine I'm fairly happy

Not hugely common here at the moment (Scotland) - there were 25 last year. I don't want anything too out there anyway, just simple but not too run-of-the-mill

[getawiggleon]

I have one and she's fab! It's a family name for us and coincidentally MIL's name is Ann!
It is very popular - I know two others although they are both Isabels. (The Isobel spelling is probably slightly less popular)
Are you comfortable with potential nicknames?

[ThatDamnDog]

There are NNs I can tolerate and NNs I dislike fairly intensely but then I guess that with any name it's going to be the child who decides what they want to be called in the end, and it's my tough luck if I don't like it. I'm going to be one of those mothers who insist on calling their children their full names regardless of the child's feelings on the matter, aren't I?

[BelligerentGhoul]

I have one. Love it and that is deffo the nicest spelling!

[zenoushka]

I like it a lot and prefer this spelling!

[CapitalText]

Prefer the Isabel(le) spelling as I think it looks nicer. Isobel contains "sob".

[ThatDamnDog]

I'm Scottish, hence the spelling. I also prefer it.

[zozzle]

Its the best spelling but Isobel-Isabelle-Isabel hugely popular round here in NE England - I know 7 or 8 under 10 yrs

[5DollarShake]

I have lived with the name for over 36 years, and have never made the 'sob' connection until just now. I can safely say it has not made me a more unhappy person!

My Dad (especially) hates Izzy and always insisted on my full name, but I still inevitably got Izzy as a nn. It's a shame, as the name itself is lovely but Izzy (IMVHO) is really not. My advise, if you really dislike one nn is try to get people used to one you prefer, so that the other one isn't used by default.

[BelligerentGhoul]

I was absolutely set on the idea that my Isobel would be Belle as nn and not Izzy. As soon as she could speak, however, she insisted that she was Izzy and is still insisting now she's a teenager - so I lost that one!

[CuppaTeaJanice]

It's probably more common than you think. There may only be 25 Isobels in Scotland, but I bet there are hundreds of girls called Isabelle, Isabel, Isobelle, Isabella etc.

I love the name though.

[lulabellamozerella]

Love it!! By far my favourite Isobel/Isabel/Isabelle etc. I know an Isobel who insists on Isobel and an Isabella who insists on Issy, I think people are more likely to shorten Isabella that Isobel

[loobylu3]

It is a beautiful, classic, feminine name. it may be more popular than you realise, however, if that sort of thing bothers you.

[catbus]

When I was growing up, I hated my name as it was so very unpopular..I like it now I'm a grown up, but nn of Izzy was not for me: Issy is much better!!
It's a good Scottish variant and I have noticed it becoming more popular again, although not too badly. Have met a couple of Ysobel's recently too.
The downside is you always have to correct people on the spelling, of which the upside is it's more unusual!!