We are expecting DD1 in a few weeks, and both of us really like the name Isabelle (I even named my cat Isabelle about 14 years ago, it isn't a new thing!). I know it is in the top rank of names, but checking through numbers for 2010, looking at 3 different spellings (Isabelle, Isabella, Isabel), it comes in at just under 1% of girls being given that name. That doesn't sound like that many - not considering when I was at school there were SO many Claires, Sharons, Marys, Helens etc. Only 1 in a 100 at primary school - may well only be another 1 or 2 depending on school size. We had initially not considered the name because of the popularity, but keep coming back to it.
So those of you who have regular contact with young children or new babies (we don't at the moment) - are there really that many Isabelle/Izzy/Bellas etc out there? We live in the South East if that makes any difference.