Isambard

[PetalMettle]

Too out there? I'm amazed it's not even on the lists e.g. Fewer than 3 people use it

[MrsMeeseeks]

A lovely name but just too pretentious, IMO. Considered it for DS1 but yes, it's just too much.

[2014newme]

Brunel!
But we live in Bristol so everyone knows the name
What would you shorten it to?

[WeAreEternal]

I can see why fewer than three people use it, sorry Petal I think it's awful.

[Floralnomad]

I don't like it , it doesn't flow well and doesn't even sound nice to my ears .

[PaperdollCartoon]

A friend of a friend has an Isambard, they are history academics. Totally out there but also awesome. I think it deserves some more use.

[HateSummer]

Sounds like isengard.

[thebakerwithboobs]

What would the shortened version be (even if you aren't planning on using it there will be one). I'm not sure I would want a boy to be called Izzy...

[CurlsLDN]

I pronounce it izz-Ambard, but I went to Brunel university (proudly named after the most famous isambard around) and there it is pronounced eye-zambard in all the uni songs and speeches, so you may want to double check the pronunciation. I'm not sure which is most commonly used

[GwenCooper81]

Kingdom Brunel..

[beanfilledfish]

A name that has alot to live up to !

[OublietteBravo]

I quite like it - it would shorten to 'Sam' which is normal enough to pass unnoticed if the child felt self-conscious.

I prefer Erasmus though

[HarrietVane99]

And not forgetting Brunel senior, Marc Isembard. Great men, but I don't think I'd use the name.

[Sophronia]

I quite like it. You could have Sam or Izzy for short.

[LoveMyLittleSuperhero]

I like it, but my first thought was that it sounds like Isengard, and with the popularity of those books/movies I think it would very easily lead to teasing.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I like it. But nn Issy would put me off, as it's a girls name.,

[DementedUnicorn]

I thought it was the LOTR place until I read the thread. I like it though

[PetalMettle]

I've never heard of isengard (hate Tolkien).
It's the Brunel connection that appeals, DH and I were talking names as I was late and stupidly hopeful, and it's one of the very few boys names he likes. Was just then curious as to what people thought of it

[olderthanyouthink]

Awesome name but possibly a bit much

[KanyeWesticle]

Would Brunel itself work? I know its a surname but it's less 'OTT' than his first name, no pronunciation worries, and less need of a nickname. I think a baby Brunel could really work.

[gettingtherequickly]

I really like it, yes it's unusual, but actually a well known name.
And yes to a shortening to Sam

[NotYoda]

I think it's wearing its heart on its sleeve too much

Similar to things like Atticus

[NotYoda]

Sam could work as a NN. That way you've achieved your aim of honouring someone you are interested in, without him constantly having to spell it and explain it, of he doesn't want to.

[Chocolateteabag]

Or could shorten to Isa - a Jilly Cooper character in Riders (but he does go naughty in her later books)

[Chocolateteabag]

I'd do it - he'd have options on normal nicknames (Sam) but a conversation starter name - do it!

[BikeRunSki]

I wanted it for DS!! I'm a civil engineer and the eldest boy of every generation of DH's family is all Sam's for about 8 generations. It was perfect. But DH was very and we stuck with Samuel in the end. Still regret it a little...