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Baby names

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DD is Isabel - Elizabeth for DC2?

29 replies

VeryHungryKatypillar · 31/05/2011 12:52

Obv only if it is a she. I think Isabel was originally the Spanish version of Elizabeth - so would it look odd for a DD2 to be Elizabeth? Or even Bethan?

Isabel is quite often an Izzy, so guess shortening Elizabeth to Lizzy would be daft...

Thoughts?

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wetwelly · 04/06/2011 14:20

definitely the same name - don't put them together..

stardustn · 03/06/2011 12:13

I love the name Bethan :)

Hatterbox · 02/06/2011 14:09

To answer the OP.

They may be different forms, but they are still the same name, so that makes it a no in my book.

I know of someone who has two sons, John and Jack, and of course Jack derives from John. Yes they're different names, but in my eyes, she named them both John.

Furthermore, as someone who is fluent in Hebrew, it makes me giggle to see sisters called Hannah & Grace (or indeed a girl called Hannah Grace), as Hannah (Channah) is the Hebrew for grace. I see the name Hannah Grace as 'Grace Grace'.

Hatterbox · 02/06/2011 14:06

Just want to correct something a PP has said.

Bethany is not a diminutive of Elisabeth. It's a Latinate form of the Hebrew name Bet T'eina, meaning "house of figs." It is also a Biblical place name.

Elisabeth derives from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning 'oath of God'.

Two totally different names.

I know it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but I'd hate for someone to use Bethany, thinking it did evolve from Elisabeth when it didn't.

youngjoly · 02/06/2011 13:16

Sorry, I think Isabel is established as a name in its own right to not worry about its origin.

Also, I don't get this thing for having names that 'go'. You're naming an individual, surely that should be your first priority? Obviously you'd avoid naming daft names like here are my children "Tosca" and "Josca" but beyond that, go for what name is nice. After all, your children will only spend the first 20 years of their names in your family unit - after that, they will spend the next 60 years (hopefully) in their own family units, so for 3/4 of their lives, their siblings names will be gloriously irrelevant.

Furthermore, Elizabeth is the sort of name that you can shorten quite easily, and probably will be shortened. (I know very few Elizabeths who are actually called Elizabeth). So you'll probably end up saying "This is Issy and Beth" or whatever instead.

Even if they don't go in the one mouthful, you'll soon find a way round it, like "This is my eldest Isabel, and my youngest daughter, Elizabeth". When introduced in that context, it wouldn't notice.

If you like the name, I'd say go for it!

VeryHungryKatypillar · 02/06/2011 11:22

Thanks all, v helpful suggestions!

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saffronwblue · 02/06/2011 00:53

Yes, I too immediately think they are the same name. You and they will be driven crazy for their whole lives with people confusing them.

cat64 · 02/06/2011 00:47

This reply has been deleted

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Tommy · 02/06/2011 00:27

Eleanor
Abigail
Emily
Ursula
start with a vowle and are 3 syllables

Tommy · 02/06/2011 00:26

Bethan and Bethany are nice - diminutives of Elizabeth but not so tongue twisty

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 02/06/2011 00:22

They are the same name/derivation. I wouldn't do it.

Strawbezza · 01/06/2011 23:36

Bethany

ColonelBrandonsBiggestGroupie · 01/06/2011 23:31

I think it's daft - sorry. They are essentially the same name, as you said yourself.

I also thought of Marianne and Margaret (Izzy and Meg v cute).

Isabel and Harriet?
Isabel and Hermione?
Isabel and Abigail?
Isabel and Yolande (my favourite!)?

EsmeWatson · 01/06/2011 23:25

I wouldn't. It's quite commonly known that it is the same name.

5DollarShake · 01/06/2011 02:49

I wouldn't.

I'm an Isobel and people mishear it and call me Elizabeth way more often than you'd think.

lordsugarslovechild · 31/05/2011 20:47

I think they are the same name.

Youcantaffordme · 31/05/2011 17:16

Most people wouldn't regard them as the same name, lots wouldn't even know. I think "Izzy and Lizzy" is brilliant :) but both names have other diminutives, so they could bail out of that if they didn't like it.

JamieAgain · 31/05/2011 17:10
BlueChampagne · 31/05/2011 17:00

Eleanor
Ariane
Amelie/Amelia

Tuschinski · 31/05/2011 16:58

No, I think they are the same name

BlueChampagne · 31/05/2011 16:57

Octavia
Annabel
Aurora
Emily
Ursula
Imogen (though you might not want them both beginning with I)

I know it doesn't start with a vowel, but Meredith is a lovely name IMO

VeryHungryKatypillar · 31/05/2011 16:42

Marianne sounds good, I'm just not a fan - think there must be a film with an American child whining 'Marianne, Marianne' because that's all I can think of.. I think three syllable names, pref starting with a vowel, sound good with Isabel - nice and symmetrical...

Thoughts?

OP posts:
VeryHungryKatypillar · 31/05/2011 16:40

Hmm, Isabel and Elizabeth is a bit of a tongue twister. And Izzy and Lizzy is a bit mental. Right, Elisabeth goes out the window. MIL is Margaret, and not keen generally...
Thanks SIR!
How bout Bethan?

Don't know why I'm worrying about names for a DD. I'm fairly sure I'm having a boy...

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oohlaalaa · 31/05/2011 16:37

I think its fine.

valiumbandwitch · 31/05/2011 15:20

No. That's is silly. Everybody knows that Isabel is spanish for Elizabeth.

What about Margaret? It has great nick names.

Or Marianne? Isabel and Marianne works too.