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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Isabelle?

58 replies

Marcheline · 24/10/2012 18:56

We are expecting DD2 - DD1 is called Aurelia, for a lovely, personal, romantic reason.

For this one, we both really like the name Isabelle. I don't love it like I love Aurelia (the name, not the DD!) but it seems to 'fit', IYKWIM.

I am worried that it is:
A) too popular?
B) not as special as DD1's name?
C) also the name of an ex GF of DH's. I am not bothered by this, but he is worried that it could be misconstrued by other people who knew them as a couple? I think she seemed like a fairly nice person and am unfussed, but it just seems unfortunate.

If you think we shouldn't go with Isabelle, any other suggestions? I love Juliette but a friend is calling her very long-awaited DD it and I couldn't use it.

Thanks!

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Alisvolatpropiis · 25/10/2012 20:50

Aurelia is outlandish? Since when?! What an odd woman to have said that. It's beautiful.

If I have a daughter that's what I want to call her. OH would never agree to Hermione,but does like Aurelia. And I keep reading that the dad should have a say. unfair

MolotovBomb · 25/10/2012 20:38

Aurelia is not an outlandish name. Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily is. Moon Unit is. But Aurelia? A beautiful, Edwardian name. Mirabelle is lovely, too, and I'm so glad that my suggestions were useful.

Please do let us all know what you choose. How long until the baby is here? x

Original poster
Marcheline · 25/10/2012 20:34

Ooh! It means 'lovely, wondrous' - we might have a contender, if DH agrees.

Thank you so much everyone x

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Original poster
Marcheline · 25/10/2012 20:31

Mirabelle is really pretty, actually - will look up meaning.

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Original poster
Marcheline · 25/10/2012 20:30

Molotov thank you for your list!

For some reason nothing sounds right. Isabelle and Juliette are the best names I can think of so far but I think it might be because I'm too chicken!

The name Aurelia was fine when we were in London, but we moved out here when DD was 1.5 and everyone is very conservative!

Someone said to me the other day, 'so for this one (second baby) will you call it something more normal?'

Think I've lost my nerve...

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MolotovBomb · 25/10/2012 11:03

I know!! I must read like some real deviant! I inherited this phone from my DH. We shall be having words later! [hgrin]

Naghoul · 25/10/2012 10:47

[hgrin] ramrod.

who have you been texting? [hgrin]

Naghoul · 25/10/2012 10:46

I wish I had had the bollocks to use Isadora.

TheReturnoftheSmartArse · 25/10/2012 10:36

Aurelia & Miranda?

MolotovBomb · 25/10/2012 10:31

HORRENDOUS TYPE-O's! Yak. Apologies Blush 'not really wanting Isabelle' how the fudge did my iPhone autocorrect to ramrod?? And 'I hope that you find it useful'

Going to haveto start proof-reading these posts of mine ...

MolotovBomb · 25/10/2012 10:28

Isabelle is a lovely name, but it does not fit with Aurelia as her sister. To my ears, it's kind of like having Persephone and Jane; Raphael and John. The names don't fit, OP. Also, you had these doubts now and oncethr baby is born - and named Isabelle - you might, when saying her name, always think silenty to yourself 'it's not as nice a Aurelia ...'

Without knowing your personal reasons for choosing Aurelia and wanting Isabelle (but not really ramrod Isabelle) there's only so much I can suggest. So, I'll suggest names that I think sound like they fit. U hope it's useful [hsmile]

Aurelia and Seraphina
Aurelianamd Cecelia
Aurelia and Indira
Aurelia and Celeste
Aurelia and Estella
Aurelia and Sabine
Aurelia and Alethea
Aurelia and Mirabelle
Aurelia and Cordelia
Aurelia and Esmee (Esmee with an accent over the first 'e')
Aurelia as Matilda
Aurelia and Vivienne

I hope that helps at least somewhat x

sparkle12mar08 · 25/10/2012 09:55

Oh Isolde is lovely! But she'd be be forever saying "No not Isabelle, Isolde. Yes, with an e on the end"

BitOutOfPractice · 25/10/2012 09:51

Sorry, I meant to add more but the phone rang. Damn selfish clients! Don't they know I'm trying to MN Hmm

Meant to add that my Isobel is now 12 and I still LOVE her name and all it's NNs - bella, belle, Izzy, Iza etc etc etc There has never been another Isobel (or Isabelle) in her school year. It is popular but not common iykwim

OhTinky · 25/10/2012 09:03

Love it! And despite it's popularity I have never met another! Isabella is much more popular ime.

ScooseIsLooseInTheHauntedHoose · 25/10/2012 09:00

Well I love Isabelle I'm not biased oh no!

BitOutOfPractice · 25/10/2012 08:59

Spell it differently to the x then. Isobel is the "British" spelling

saffronwblue · 25/10/2012 08:56

There are so many spelling variants Isobel, Isabel, Isabella etc. May drive you all crazy. What about Isolde? Or Elizabeth?

FromHereToNextTuesday · 25/10/2012 08:44

What about Marcheline as a name?? That would be gorgeous with Aurelia!

Gugglebum · 24/10/2012 21:14

Harriet is great! I love the nn Hattie as well. As has been mentioned, you will likely grow to love whatever you choose because it will 'be' your daughter once she arrives.

Alisvolatpropiis · 24/10/2012 21:02

Aurelia is so beautiful and unusual I'm not sure that Isabelle stands up next to it as well. It's by no means terrible though!
Maybe Gisele would work with Aurelia?

Yika · 24/10/2012 19:42

I love the name Isabelle and it's not popular for littlies in my neck of the woods so it doesn't feel overused.

Original poster
Marcheline · 24/10/2012 19:37

Thanks Robin, that makes me feel better.

I'm also feeling conscious of the fact that I dont want either girl to ever feel second best, so am probably putting too much emphasis on getting the name 'perfect' - pregnancy hormones!

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Original poster
Marcheline · 24/10/2012 19:34

Claudia is gorgeous, but something about its meaning really puts me off.

Josephine feels a bit 'clunky' (I have a weird thing about the way words feel)

DH really likes Harriet and I think I could live with it, but something about it feels wrong?

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RobinSparkles · 24/10/2012 19:33

Fwiw, you might not love any name as much as your DD1's at the moment but once the new baby is here you might grow to love it just the same.

I didn't think I would like any names as much as my DD1's name but DD2 has a classic name which is heard in most generations. Often described on MN from being a "lovely classic" to "rather dull" Wink
Now I love both names equally, although some people just have a favourite name.

birdofthenorth · 24/10/2012 19:32

Oh Tabitha all the way. Bulldoze it through, it's fabulous!