Isla?

[Pipsweet1]

I do like this name but just trying to figure out if it's going to be the Rachel of the 80s in 15years time.

[jimpam]

I like Isla a lot, really sweet name but v popular as you say. On the other hand, there's a reason certain names are so popular- because they are lovely, solid, sensible names. There were six of us with my name in my year at school.

[Seeyounearertime]

It's an awkward name IMO.
With the right name before it it's lovely, with the wrong name after it then it sounds like a Scottish Island.

[justdontevenfuckingstart]

It's lovely, name your child what you want to call her. I am a Sarah of the 70's . There's lots of us but only one of me! Please don't call her Aiiiyllaa {smile}

[sandylion]

Rachel is still a nice name I think, classic! So if isla is the new Rachel I'd say it's a classic too! Pretty name.

[TheNewStatesman]

"On the other hand, there's a reason certain names are so popular- because they are lovely, solid, sensible names."

No--the name Isla was almost unheard of until about 10 years ago. It's very much a "now" name.

It's pleasant enough as a name, but not a classic name like Elizabeth or James.

[mrsschu]

I agree with the previous poster, outside of Scotland, Isla was not a name that was commonly used until about 5-6 years ago. It will date badly IMO. Other top 10 names such as Emily or Olivia won't date the same way as they have been used consistently in the past eg. I know Emily's and Olivia's in their 30's and 40's but no Isla's over 5. Above and beyond that it's not a name I especially like.

[ThirtyNineWeeks]

I think Isla is chavvy.

[MrsJayy]

I like it it is 1 of those names that never really goes out of fashion and what is a chavvy name?

[MrsJayy]

I know islas of all ages I am in scotland though so maybe that makesca difference

[PastaPrincess]

There are 4 Isla's in DS' small-ish nursery. We are in Scotland though.

I don't like the name.. it reminds me of oily fish.

[mydogeatsnutstoo]

Isla is a name used by a wide variety of social groups and certainly not chavvy. Chavvy ( and i know it is a frowned upon word on mumsnet) nowadays would be things like Destinee-Mae - these type of names regularly crop up in our local paper baby competition! Having said that it is now far too popular and people should stop using it :)

[Snoopydo]

I only know one Isla aged about 15. It's a lovely name, not common around here.

Btw I only know a couple of Rachels and it's a beautiful name which has never dated.

[mydogeatsnutstoo]

Also, growing up in Scotland I knew more Islas than Emily's and I never met anyone of my age (70's baby) called Olivia or Oliver till going to an English university and even then not many - now these names are everywhere including Scotland so I don't think it is the case they won't date. Like Isla they are names which have been around a long time but go in and out of fashion.

[Sophronia]

I think it will date.

[MrsJayy]

I know of a tonne of Rachels dd has most of them on her facebook still a nice name mil though, milwas convinced dd2 was Rachel she called her it for 5 weeks after she was born

[MrsJayy]

Typos sorry

[possum18]

I'm currently in hosp after having twins this week and of the 5 other babies on my ward there are 2 Islas! I do quite like it as a name, didn't think it was over popular but I've heard it 100000 times this week

[oleoleoleole]

I agree with you, it's very popular.

[Pipsweet1]

I wasn't saying Rachel wasn't a nice name, I just had quite a few in my year at school and 2 in my class :-)
I didn't know any older or younger. Same with Isla as I know it's popular among babies now and the only older one I can think of is Isla fisher!

[jimpam]

TheNewStatesman just sharing my opinion. Also I am Scottish, I know lots of Islas of all ages- definitely not "unheard of until about 10 years ago".

[MrsJayy]

I dont think there is anything wrong with using a popular name if you like it.

[MitzyLeFrouf]

Outside of Scotland it will definitely date. I know several Islas and they're all under 7.

[ThirtyNineWeeks]

It is chavvy around here because chavs use it. A lot.

[MrsJayy]

Maybe the op is a chav

[mydogeatsnutstoo]

Interestingly one of the Queen's great granddaughters is called Isla, so the opposite of chav. Perhaps the poster describing it as chavvy does not have contact with people from a broader social strata therefore does not realise the breadth of appeal.