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Baby names

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

Original poster

Does my baby boy's name sound too girly? Should I add a middle name?

34 replies

AmalFish · 28/01/2019 11:10

Hi everyone,

I named my now 2 year old Eisa. At the time I liked the look of it and the meaning (its Arabic for Jesus). To be honest I didn't really think too hard at the time about names and just liked this one. Since then he has been called Elsa more times than I can remember and I am starting to worry about him being picked on at school. Its too late to change his name but I am considering adding a more distinctly masculine middle name- is that a silly idea? what do you think of the name Eisa, is it too feminine? Any middle name ideas? Thank you!

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username1724 · 02/02/2019 10:24

I have an Eesa and worry about this too, but we both just fell in love with the name and it really suits him! I just imagined that if it bothers him he can go by 'Ee' as a nn, his middle name is Andrew (I'm english) so far though we've met 2 others and 1 adult and they didn't seem like they were having a breakdown because of it or anything 🤣 good choice!

Milasmummy · 01/02/2019 13:02

Or you could always potentially change the name to a similar sounding name like Elias?

Milasmummy · 01/02/2019 12:59

Eisa isn’t much of my style honestly, and when typing it, it autocorrects to Elisa for me.
I think it doesn’t hurt to add a middle name.
If by the time he starts nursery/school and you still have doubts then you could use his middle name at nursery/school. And when he’s older he can always pick whichever he prefers.

On another note you can check out:

www.arabicenglishbabynames.com

For some ideas!

Good luck.

DammitOedipus · 01/02/2019 07:59

I have seen it spelled Isa, Eesa, and Esa.

crazycatgal · 31/01/2019 23:04

I know a boy who has the same name spelt Eesa. Why don't you change it like that?

Babybrainbazerk · 31/01/2019 22:57

I know an Eisa who spells it Easah?

tammytoby · 30/01/2019 23:04

his name is Eli

I would also pronounce Eli as Eli as in Eliott or Elinor.

badtime · 30/01/2019 19:42

I have seen it spelled Eesa.

There is nothing wrong with the name. People are just misreading it - like the Irish name Enda might look like Edna.

Ngaio2 · 29/01/2019 21:57

Some people will get anything wrong. Receptionist at medical centre called my friend’s wee boy Ellie — his name is Eli.

tammytoby · 29/01/2019 10:25

Don't change the spelling!

If people mispronounce Eisa, I'm sure they'll learn very quickly once corrected.

BowBeau · 29/01/2019 09:31

Issa is a brand of ladies clothing. I definitely wouldn’t switch to that!

Mynci · 29/01/2019 09:22

I don't think you need to change it, it's a lovely name. The one I know spells it Essa.

SleepingStandingUp · 29/01/2019 08:48

I'd consider changing it to a phonetic spelling, so literally Eesa. Visually you lost the connect with the princess.

If you don't want to go as far as changing his birth cert then you could do it informally in cards, invitations texts etc just explain to f&f why.

Sexnotgender · 29/01/2019 08:44

I've only ever seen it spelt Isa. Pronounced Ee-sa

I’d pronounce that spelling Eye-za, I am Scottish though!

tammytoby · 29/01/2019 08:40

Eisa is a great name and not at all feminine! Ezra, Noah etc are all boys names ending in a.

Don't spell it Isa, that's short for Isabel!

Original poster
AmalFish · 28/01/2019 20:10

Thank you everyone :) really helpful comments

OP posts:
whatifI · 28/01/2019 18:27

Leave it as it is - lovely name btw. Although the spelling has been different we have quite a few Isa/Eesa named boys in our school . It's a popular Muslim name

FartnissEverbeans · 28/01/2019 18:13

Gorgeous name. I know several, spelled Issa, Eissa, Eesa.

Bikinginsummer · 28/01/2019 17:59

It's a beautiful name and not girly.

goldengummybear · 28/01/2019 14:27

It's not feminine so don't change it. People are assuming that it's a typo. For example some people like "unique" spellings so somebody called Kateyy probably had people spelling her name Katey, Katie..

planespotting · 28/01/2019 14:02

Oh I see, if pronounced Issa then that is the short for Isabel in some languages.
I think it is a nice nameSmile

WH1SPERS · 28/01/2019 14:00

I agree, change the spelling to Issa.

Adding a middle name wont stop people calling him Elsa.

MikeUniformMike · 28/01/2019 13:57

I read it as Elsa. Familiar with Issa but not Eisa.

NotANotMan · 28/01/2019 11:29

Can you drop the I? Esa looks a lot more masculine like Asa imo

sphinxa · 28/01/2019 11:28

I've only ever seen it spelt Isa. Pronounced Ee-sa

I wouldn't add a middle name or change it. It's a nice name.