Baby name worry driving me mad

Also, I think the naming process is a lot more personal for the first child (I know you love each child just as much, but because it's the first time it should be different), so it's fine if you choose a popular name as long as you love it.

However, it would be a bit weird if you had your 3rd child and realised you've got Jack, Isabelle and Olivia. That's a bit too much name popularity for one family.

Isla's a lovely name, regardless. A lot of names are popular REGIONALLY, and they are so popular THERE that they appear quite high on the nation-wide list. If you lived in Scotland, maybe it would be quite popular, but I think Isla is a regional name (I live in Wales and the only one I know is an adult).

My sister named her daughter Olivia only two years ago - obviously she hasn't started school yet, so I don't know if she'll have any problems, but my sister loves the name and has no problems with it (which is strange since she absolutely loved the name Jack for her 4yo son, but restricted it to mn status because of popularity).

My name is Holly, which is consistently popular, especially among girls born around Xmas (like me), but I've met so FEW people with my name, it's almost ridiculous. I've never had any problems with my name being popular, and I think Isla's probably the same, so you shouldn't worry.

Isla is a lovely name. Don't worry! I've called my DD Kate. Imagine how many of them there'll be?

I've said this on other threads involving this name but I only ever met one Isla. She ended up keeping her own surname when she married as her DH's surname is White.

Isla White.......!

To her she said her named Isla just sounded like Isle of .... White, Dogs, Man, etc.

But it's your DD's name, you can't change it now and the chances of her marrying a Mr White or mr Man are pretty slim.

I love the name Isla! it has become more popular but still its not like you meet one every 5 minutes, and its a beautiful name. your dd is 2 now so bit late to think of changing it, would only confuse her, so would just try not to worry about it. It is a really nice name, that's why it is slightly popular. Not necessarily a huge issue

I called my daughter Islay, and although when I called her that it was virtually unheard of (she's coming up 13..)there's a few now, I take it as a compliment really, because it's a beautiful name- but any name given with thought and love is a name indeed! I will say too, she's the only Islay/Isla in her year, even school, as far as I know, so in the scheme of things it's not tremendously popular really.... of course it should be because it's the best name in the world, (I know because I chose it ;) )

Stop obssessing! Isla has increased in popularity in recent years, yes, but it is hardly common. It is also a really beautiful name, so relax.

Isla really is a beautiful name

Isla is very popular but that's because it's a nice name. I don't think having a popular name is a negative thing.

Oh, I do know an Ayla, pronounced Isla - the only one I know of those!! I assume her Mum read the Earth's Children Trilogy of books - 'cause that's the first and only place I've seen that name before!

Our niece is called Isla, she's 18 months old. She's the only one we know and it's definitely not chavvy (don't shoot me, but named like Harley, Mitch, Levi, Chardonnay, Whitney, MacKenzie as a first name etc are chavvy, imvho anyway).

Isla is a beautiful and relatively uncommon name in my experience. The only ones I'd heard of before were Isla Sinclair (off the telly in the 70/80's) and Isla Fisher (the actress).

Oh and for what it´s worth I think Isla is a beautiful name

oldd - I could have written your post! I sometimes wonder if I am going mad obsessing about DS2´s name. He is 21 months now and I still don´t "see" him as his name, not only that his name is SO popular where we live its like everybody I see/meet has the same name! It is driving me mad.

The name I had chosen was received very negatively by family on both sides and I caved in. It is a huge regret and I just cannot get beyond it
There´s no way I can change it now, in any case deed poll doesn´t exist here (I am in Spain)

I feel I have let DS2 down by giving him a a name I don´t really like and one that he´ll probably be one of umpteen everywhere he goes.

I know I need to get a grip and should just be thankful for my beautiful, healthy boy

There is nothing wrong with having a popular name. My name is very unusual for my age and I hated it for that reason when I was growing up. My sister's name was very popular in her primary school, but there don't seem to be so many around 30 years later.

For what it is worth, I only know 1 Isla and she is 4.

Do you think you might be feeling guilty about your son's arrival and how this may be affecting your daughter so are obsessing on her name. I may be completely wrong sorry if thats the case.

Sounds like you are just really tired OP, understandably! I think it's likely the worries will fade before too long. Look after yourself and don't stress too much!

The OU maybe? Just signed up for an Open University course myself this afternoon as having read what I wrote I thought I'd managed to create a fine example of hypocrascy haha.

Read that to mean I am at least equally guilty of not having anything taxing to think about. Or was, I start my new course in May (provided I get fee remission, but they say I should).

I think you're right about it being a sort of really minor post natal neurosis and that you need to get out more. Babies are fantastic but they are low on intellectual stimulation and so if you are the thinking type, who likes complex puzzles to ponder, raising small kids can leave your grey matter with litle to do. It will always find something to do no matter how unstimulating the environment. That is not to say your kids are dull, I expect they are anything but. I think in your case what that grey matter has found to do is to over analyse your Isla's name.

Is your OH supportive? Could he/she be relied upon to take over the childcare a couple of nights a week so you could do a bit of studying? The Open University or your local Adult Education can be the absolute saviour of an analytical/thinking type SAHM.

Isla is NOT a common name except for maybe in the Scottish Highlands. Stop stressing, you liked the name, it is a lovely, elegant non-chavvy timeless name.