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Baby names

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

Original poster

Isla or Laila?

32 replies

m90 · 09/03/2014 11:56

Hi, I'm due in April, just wondered your opinions on these names,
also going to use May as middle name as is was my Nana's name so has a special meaning. Thanks x

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NewtRipley · 10/03/2014 20:00

Glad to hear you aren't hyphenating!

I also prefer Laila

or what about:

Lara
Lana
Leah
Lyra?

Blondebrunette1 · 10/03/2014 19:30

Love both but one is a cousins name and the other doesn't fit surname :-(. Both would be on my list though xxx

thegreylady · 10/03/2014 13:12

How about Iona which is similar but less popular?

Original poster
m90 · 10/03/2014 11:46

Thanks for your opinions, We live in Mid Wales and both names are fairly uncommon, I want to keep May as Middle name as it was my Nana's name, but I know what you mean about it being over used these days,That's why I'm not spelling it Mae or Mai or hyphenating the name.

OP posts:
Caitlyn2014 · 10/03/2014 04:31

May is also a name used in the Arab world so Laila May would be ok. But just to be a little bit different you could perhaps consider Layali instead of Laila. So her name could be Layali May.

UriGeller · 10/03/2014 03:54

I really don't like Laila. Still hear the Eric Clapton song "Layla, you got me on my knees" and i don't think it has a particularly nice roll off the tongue.

Isla is pretty but I do know an Isla White so think about how it sounds with your surname!

Much prefer, as Glasshammer said, Lyra, or even Luna or Lily to Laila though

Proudmummytodc2 · 10/03/2014 01:42

Sorry stupid phone I meant I'd*

Proudmummytodc2 · 10/03/2014 01:42

Iid go Laila because my little girl is called Laylah and I love them name very girlish

Glasshammer · 10/03/2014 01:41

I know lots of both. What about Lyra or Lila or Lola or Lois

EirikurNoromaour · 09/03/2014 21:59

Laila is an Arabic name and as such Laila, Leila, Layla are all correct spellings. They are less rigid about 'correct' spellings than we tend to be.

EirikurNoromaour · 09/03/2014 21:58

Both Laila and Isla are quite common, and May is extremely common. Isla May will be one of many many girls with that name in her generation and Laila May doesn't sound d great together IMO. I'd personally pick Laila with a much more interesting middle name. Or if you must keep May then choose a more interesting and less common first name.

ashtrayheart · 09/03/2014 21:55

I've got an Isla and I don't know any others.

Benchmark · 09/03/2014 21:51

Laila!

Driveway · 09/03/2014 18:41

Isla.
Or Leila.

Laila may be less popular than Isla but there are so many Lilys Lilas Laylas etc that I don't think it will sound particularly unique if that is a decider!

florascotia · 09/03/2014 18:37

'Islay' (the place, an island) is indeed pronounced 'Isla'.

No-one is quite sure where its name comes from - it might mean 'island with two parts' or 'law island'. Or it might be named after a mythical/legendary Pictish princess, called Ile (Eye-luh).

BlueFrenchHorn · 09/03/2014 18:36

Love Laila

TheCricketWidow · 09/03/2014 18:15

Isla..im biased though, ive got one Smile

squoosh · 09/03/2014 18:10

There's also an island called Islay, so the name will sounds like and island's name anyway.

soundsystem · 09/03/2014 17:58

Isla is lovely. Not sure if you're aware there is an Isle of May in Scotland, would Isla May sound a bit liek that? Depends where you are though if anyone would even think of that!

littleredsquirrel · 09/03/2014 17:20

If I had a girl she was going to be Leila. Its beautiful. Do spell it properly though. Leila not Laila

Frikadellen · 09/03/2014 17:18

Laila as it is not so popular.

Bowlersarm · 09/03/2014 17:15

Isla

Ham69 · 09/03/2014 17:14

Grin at MamaP! I prefer Laila though I do know 3 aged between 5 and 7. My friend's DD is Laila and her 2 really good friends in class are Lola and Lila!

squoosh · 09/03/2014 14:07

Laila.

The popularity of Isla baffles me, it sounds so frumpy.

jusdepamplemousse · 09/03/2014 13:57

Laila is beautiful. Isla is too but so so popular now, so if that would bother you I'd opt for Laila.

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