Isabella vs Tabitha

[justpotteringabout]

Like both. I know Isabella is very popular but it is such a beautiful name. I prefer more unusual names but this one seem to be sticking on the short list. Tabitha is another contender, more unusual and I think elegant but wondered what the consensus is? My Mum is on the campaign for the former so I'm trying to get some unbiased opinion.

[SleepyCatOnTheMat]

Both nice. I think when you include all the variants of it (Isabelle, Isabel, Isobel etc.) Isabella is the no. 1 name, so the question is whether or not you're ok with that level of popularity. What about a similiar name such as:

Arabella
Annabella
Rosabella
Christabella
Isadora

[rockybalboa]

Both beautiful names but I would discount Isabella on grounds of popularity. Tabitha is just as pretty but much less popular.

[TenthMuse]

Tabitha's much more interesting (and nicer, IMO).

[rubylovesshopping]

Sadly was my childhood cat name.
Isabella pretty but vv frequently used.

[Wbdn28]

I prefer Isabella by a long way.

[TallulahBetty]

Isabella is beautiful.

Tabitha is a cat's name.

[DramaAlpaca]

Isabella by a mile.

I had a cat called Tabitha & can't imagine it on a human.

[pygmy]

Tabitha for me

[AndWhenYouGetThere]

Tabitha is my favorite - beautiful and classic, and timeless too. Isabella is very "now".

[craigslittleangel]

My eldest daughter is Isobella. I liked Tabitha for DD2 but my OH said no. If I have another one I would go with this name. (I would have given birth 3 times, I deserve that.)

Popular though it is, my Isobella is an Isobella. We call her Izzy for short as she is a bit more tomboy then Bella would suggest.

Wait until the baby is here. Honestly, sometimes the name you think will work just does not fit. I know!

[squoosh]

Tabitha by a thousand miles.

Isabella is completely snoozeworthy and will date very quickly.

[mummywantsaliedown]

We were torn between these names and we went with Tabitha. Tabs, tabby, tabbage- she has lots of nicknames. Her little friend calls her 'taz' (he's known her since they were little and that's what he's always called her). She's nearly 3.

[FingersCrossedLegsNot]

Tabitha is fabulous. Isabella Isabel etc will be the new Sharon's.....so boring and overdone.

[rob99]

Tabitha = (pretentious. Used by wealthy southerners and horsey Nellie Olsen types. Often paired with Tarquin for a boy. Can be shortened to Tabby, so you sound like a cat)

Isabella = (pretentious. horsey Nellie Olsen types. Often paired with Sebastian or Oliver for a boy. Requires a posh voice to be pronounced correctly)

[Redblackcar2]

Isabella

[hawkmcqueen]

Isabella is simply a beautiful name no matter how it is ranked. Tabitha wouldn't be my personal choice but comes across as a 'strong' name.

[PeriodMath]

Those saying Tabitha is a cat's name, aren't human and animal babes interchangeable now? The three dogs I "know" best are called Oliver, Lucy and Ben. In fact for me Ben is 100% dog.

Doesn't mean cars and dogs own these names though does it?

[PeriodMath]

Babes = names
Cars = cats

[UpTheFRIGGinDuff]

Tabitha

Tabitha

Tabitha

Tabitha

Tabitha

TABITHA


TABITHA

100 times, Tabitha!

[Keztrel]

I love both but Tabitha is a bit more unusual so I'd go for that. And yes Tabitha is a cat but cats are awesome.

[DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper]

Isabella will date.

It is SO popular, that the next generation won't want a bar of it.

It's a very cyclical name.

[jungletoes]

My dd is called Tabitha, it's a beautiful name for a beautiful daughter.

[rob99]

Cats are arsey, selfish little gets who only turn up when they want you to feed them or stroke them.......so I guess Tabitha is an ideal name for pusht southern mummies to call their little darlings :o)

[italladdsup]

Tabitha is a gorgeous name!

[Frettchen]

I adore the name Tabitha, and will be using it for DD1 if/when she comes along.

So on that basis you should totally pick Isabella!


In all seriousness, both names are lovely - pick whichever feels right.