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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

Gutted. Tell me I'm overreacting!

88 replies

Queenside · 22/05/2013 06:29

We named our DD Isla (1yr) and now although I've only met one other Isla I am frequently told 'oh I know an Isla'.

I really didn't want her to have a name like Oscar or Alfie that becomes incredibly popular for 5/10 years to the extent that it almost ruins the name.

Am I being ridiculous? Is it really, REALLY popular?! I'm fine with it being a name that's heard of and not really unusual but not crazily popular. I'm feeling at the moment like I actually really regret giving her the name. Is it so bad??

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PollyJane · 22/05/2013 06:41

Assuming you want honesty and reassurance so yes, it is popular - I know 6 under threes and I am in the Channel Islands - 3 of those alone are Isla Grace. However, names become popular for a reason - largely because they are lovely. If you still love the name, regardless of popularity, hey ho! You have given her a beautiful name. Growing up (early thirties) I knew 8, yes 8 Sophies. However, in my class at school I sat next to another Polly - a largely unused name in the 80's...so it's just the way the dice falls. To summarise: lovely name, stop fretting :)

KittyVonCatsworth · 22/05/2013 06:42

It's a tad irrational, but understandable. I only know of one other Isla, IRL, she'll be 10 now. It's a beautiful, classy name - be proud you picked it x

chaya5738 · 22/05/2013 06:55

I like it when I hear of another child with my child's name - it makes me think I wasn't completely crazy in giving it to her!

TobyLerone · 22/05/2013 06:59

You're overreacting.

It's a lovely name and fairly popular, but it's no Ava or Emily.

When DD was born, 12 years ago, we named her Esme after a relative. People always went on about how unusual it was.
Now, if MN is to be believed, it's super popular! But not in my experience. We're still picked up on what a lovely, unusual name it is, and that you rarely hear it.

TheOldestCat · 22/05/2013 07:05

If it helps, I don't know a single Isla! It's a beautiful name and even if it is popular, it won't matter if you really love it.

seeker · 22/05/2013 07:08

Honestly? I think you are being ridiculous to say a name can be "ruined" because other people have it too. Even with the most popular names you are unlikely to bump into many others. And I speak as the mother of a Grace!

abigboydidit · 22/05/2013 07:12

Oh dear. The honest answer is that in real life it is v popular where I am (Scotland) & think it has been in the top 3 names for past few years. That said, I agree with other posters that it really doesn't matter. We called DS something unusual here (but common where I come from) & am fed up of spelling/explaining it. Went for something more popular with DD & think have made her life easier

BikeRunSki · 22/05/2013 07:13

I only know 1, she's nearly 7. I think it's a lovely name and would have certainly been a consideration for DD if the Isla we know was not our niece!

Snowflakepie · 22/05/2013 07:13

I know 2, both aged 4, but it doesn't change that it is a lovely name. Unless you go for something completely wacky your DD will meet others with her name and you know what? Kids LOVE it. My DD is Evie. The only one I know of her age despite being so high on the lists. Coming out from preschool one day she wanted to play in the bigger kids playground and there was a girl there who was about 6, and who we learned was also called Evie. The two of them immediately latched on to each other, called themselves big Evie and little Evie and were thrilled to have found another Evie! They now look out for each other at the end of school/preschool and I think it's lovely that DD has a friend who is a bit older and might be a link to school when that time comes, and all because of her name. We as adults think that being an individual is the most important thing, but children place a higher value on belonging.

It's not unreasonable to feel a bit down about it, but don't let it bother you. It won't bother your DD.

williaminajetfighter · 22/05/2013 07:14

I know lots of Islas but it is lovely.

You can never gage how popular a name might become. 7 years ago I gave my daughter a very unusual name but turns out it wasn't that unusual and now there are Matildas everywhere! Thems the breaks...

HoneyDragon · 22/05/2013 07:15

My name was very unusual when I was a child and young adult. Now there are lots of little ones. Including one down the road.

So there are no guarantees.

I quite like though, now it's less unusual

saintlyjimjams · 22/05/2013 07:15

Yes it's annoying. Happened to me. Named first born 15 years ago & people used to comment on how unusual it was. We'd chosen the name 5 years prior to that when it was u heard of for about 100 years. When ds1 went to school he was the first one with the name & teachers commented on his name.

Now? Now frigging footballers are using his name (it's not Klay!)

saintlyjimjams · 22/05/2013 07:17

And it is annoying but not worth getting upset over!

nurseneedshelp · 22/05/2013 07:19

Blimey are you expecting a unique name that no one else has got? Get over yourself!

Afraid to say that isla is incredibly popular! There's 2 in my ds class and a 12 year old called isla living next soor to us.

Sorry to burst your bubble!

Should have called her a "common" name like my son Alfie!!

Couldn't give a shit how common it is.
I love my son's name!

ChasingStaplers · 22/05/2013 07:26

YABU

If you were going to be that bothered about its popularity you should've checked the 100 top names for the last few years. Isla is at 10 in 2011 and 11 for 2012.

FWIW my DD's name is very popular but I love it so I don't care. Bizarrely, we've not met another one though and she's 4 and has attended 3 different nurseries so far!

sparkle12mar08 · 22/05/2013 07:44

You're over reacting. Isla is a top ten name as others have said, that should have given you a clue that you'd likely come across more of them in her lifetime! But it's also unpredictable - we chose a not even top 20 name for ds1, yet there are three of them in his class! Three!

itsallshitandmoreshit · 22/05/2013 08:00

Yup its really, really popular. There are loads around me.

Does it really matter? You should have done your homework before choosing the name if you wanted something unusual!

BikeRunSki · 22/05/2013 08:03

Meant to say, you are over reacting!

nagynolonger · 22/05/2013 08:04

Yes you are overreacting.

We all worry about suitable names before DC are born and just after. But after a year your DD has made the name her own it doesn't matter how many others share it.

ZolaBuddleia · 22/05/2013 08:06

Sympathies OP, I'd feel the same. Unfortunately even if you had looked at the stats, there's nothing to stop a name rising in popularity from nowhere.
DD's name was outside the top 300 when she was born, but is gradually rising.

MrsMangoBiscuit · 22/05/2013 08:11

I don't know any Isla's. DD has a fairly popular name, I'm always getting told "ooh I know a

Branleuse · 22/05/2013 08:11

Its pretty

Its not common, but its kind of alt-popular. Ive known one or two over the years.

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Mama1980 · 22/05/2013 08:12

Assuming you want honesty, yes it's really popular here I know severAl especially under 5's. but if you love it then it doesn't matter.

flipchart · 22/05/2013 08:12

It's a lovely name. That's why so many people choose it.
There are 3 in Ds2s class.

There a few in the nursery that I know.

However it doesn't matter if it is popular. It's a name that you like.

wigglesrock · 22/05/2013 08:22

You're completely over reacting. It's a popular name, I have 3 daughters with popular names, I couldn't give a shite if the whole school is populated by for example Olivias. It's my child's name and it always makes me smile when I hear it .

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