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Baby names

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

Original poster

Isolde or Zelie?

32 replies

TIPosy · 12/04/2019 15:31

Hello,

Pregnant with our fourth and just learnt today it is a little girl. Smile

After Josephine, Iris and Theodore, we hesitate a bit. I’m french and my husband loves the name Zélie (pronounced Zay-lee), with also Isolde as a contender.

What are your thoughts?

Other contenders are Eleanor (but after Theodore?), Phoebe, Rose (but with Iris?), Florence, Beatrice.

Thanks. :)

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Bumblebeesmum · 22/04/2019 08:58

Isolde is beautiful
I have never heard of the othwe & probably would have (ignorantly) thought you’d made it up

DungballInADress · 22/04/2019 05:31

I think you (and she) would spend the entire time pronouncing either of those choices or spelling it.

Fron your list I love Josephine. My name is on your list of other contenders, and I keep meeting tiny people with that name which I adore but get confused in public places when people call their children and I think I'm in trouble

NottonightJosepheen · 22/04/2019 05:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PBobs · 22/04/2019 04:56

If it's part of your children's heritage I don't understand the reticence to have a name that needs explaining. I do understand if you weren't French - then the complicated name might be a bit of a faff. I think both Isolde and Zélie are lovely names. I also say this as a mixed European who has spent the best part of my life explaining how to pronounce and say my name to English people. I also find it's only in England I have this problem. The most unsual places I've been find it easier to say my name than most Londoners. It's the whole silent letters, extended vowels, non-phonetic nature of English that makes it hard.

Trinnidad · 21/04/2019 22:15

I came across the name Zelia today, which I presume is an anglicised version of Zélie. If you are in the UK you could consider that as an alternative (as people will likely pronounce it 'Zeely' whether you include an accent or not.

I have an e grave ( è ) in my married surname and everyone ignores it and pronounces the name wrongly!

mathanxiety · 13/04/2019 07:29

If you're looking for suggestions:
Estelle
Cecelia
Beatrix instead of Beatrice
Frida
Aphra
Vera
Ruth
Helena
Lydia

I like Phoebe too from your OP.

Lobsterquadrille2 · 13/04/2019 07:27

Go for Isolde - absolutely beautiful name and you don't have a Tristan so no link as with the Roosevelts.

mathanxiety · 13/04/2019 07:22

I love Zelie.

Prefer Iseult over Isolde, which I always have to look at again because my brain registers 'solid'.

NewMum19344567 · 13/04/2019 06:45

How do you pronounce the name Isolde? I love zeile, may be hard to spell or pronounce growing up but is a beautiful name that matches the other children and it's nice you get to bring your french heritage in!

Whereareyouspot · 13/04/2019 06:45

Sylvie
Claudia
Claudette
Amelie (although quite well used in uk)
Marie
Anais
Dorothea
Laurelie

howtocomplain · 13/04/2019 06:42

Love Isolde!

Original poster
TIPosy · 13/04/2019 06:39

MercyBodle, thanks I never thought of the Roosevelt association... Hmm Was more concerned with the similar ending sound but having siblings with same names as two famous married persons sounds a bit incestuous actually... Confused Will definitely avoid that one.

I think I need to go back to the drawing table and rethink a name a bit closer to Josephine and Iris. Classic and timeless but not too common. Nothing feels quite right at the moment. Got a few months to get my head around it hopefully.

Thank you for all the feedback! Smile

OP posts:
Jessabean · 13/04/2019 04:51

I like Isolde - was never aware of a pronunciation issue with it before as to me its pronounced I-zold but see that some may pronounce it I-zol-dah - still think it's a lovely name - could be Izzy for short! Could go Isobel (or Isabelle but I prefer Scottish spelling) as an alternative option?
Zelie is cute as well- not sure how pronunciation differs in french and if this would annoy you if very different from the English way of saying it.

Of your others I like Florence the best - don't exactly dislike Rose Eleanor or Beatrice but as pp said Eleanor will be shortened to Ellie which I'm not personally keen on, Rose and Ivy is perhaps a bit much though wouldn't rule it out if you really like it- maybe Rosie instead? - and Beatrice just seems such a harsh name compared with all you previous children's names.

Pinkybutterfly · 13/04/2019 03:23

I like zelie. Also love margarita.

BlackPrism · 13/04/2019 03:18

Eleanor is bori g and will become Ellie, pho eve (friends) and Beatrice (gross). Go for zelie

MercyBodle · 13/04/2019 03:12

I would cross off Eleanor because you have Theodore - people constantly saying Roosevelt would be too annoying. Also cross off Rose since you have Iris. I like both Zelie and Isolde, but preferring the more feisty and unusual Isolde (if you don't mind having 2 'I' names). I also like Florence and Beatrice, but Isolde is my favourite.

DramaAlpaca · 12/04/2019 22:21

I love Zelie, it's unusual & beautiful (sorry, can't do the accent on the 'e')

KingHenrysCodpiece · 12/04/2019 22:03

Love both of them!

Peachbubble · 12/04/2019 17:56

I think Isolde or Zelie may cause confusion over their pronunciation. From your other contenders, I like Florence.

ZebraKid71 · 12/04/2019 17:45

I lo ve Zelie, but dh vetoed 😭

Calixtine · 12/04/2019 17:06

I love Isolde but Zélie is pretty too and I’d probably go with that to avoid repeating initials.

EngagedAgain · 12/04/2019 16:51

I'd go with Eleanor, Phoebe or Florence. In no particular order 😬 Rose I think is maybe too much with Iris but I think Eleanor is ok with Theodore. Great choice of names all round.

small2018 · 12/04/2019 16:41

Go with Zelie!!

Original poster
TIPosy · 12/04/2019 16:21

Hi EgagedAgain, those are the names of my existing children. Josephine, Iris and Theodore. :)

OP posts:
Starlight39 · 12/04/2019 16:18

I like Rose or Florence best. I do like Isolde but not 100% sure on how to pronounce the end bit! I'm not so sure on Zélie.

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