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Baby names

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Original poster

Settle a debate: Isobel vs Isabelle

82 replies

UnoriginalUserName948 · 01/10/2019 06:06

Is it just me, or these two very similar, but slightly differently pronounced names? No, I am not planning on using them for twins or anything daft! My friend and I were having a discussion about it yesterday and she says they are pronounced exactly the same- I say there is a very subtle difference. Who is right?

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DuesToTheDirt · 05/10/2019 17:03

*Very subtle difference in my accent (SE Scotland)

É™ = schwa

IZ-ə-bəl
IZ-É™-bel
*

Is this not an age thing? I've heard old people say the first pronunciation (thereby contradicting my previous post...)

DuesToTheDirt · 05/10/2019 16:57

I have an Isobel and neither I nor anyone else I have ever met have pronounced the middle syllable as "oh". It is the same name and same pronunciation as Isabelle and Isabel.

Grufallosfriends · 05/10/2019 16:52

Very different names imo

onthebusoctopus · 05/10/2019 16:48

The same

CharitySchmarity · 05/10/2019 16:47

I pronounce them both with a schwa and so does everyone I know (I now live in southern England and have also lived in the Midlands). However I prefer the look of the spelling Isabel because when I see Isobel written down, I see "sob" in the middle and it makes me think of a rather whiny person!

Icantthinkofanewname87 · 05/10/2019 00:02

Exactly the same

Whattodoabout · 04/10/2019 10:29

It’s the same name.

Joeybee · 03/10/2019 09:48

As far as I was aware it's just two different spellings of the same name. One looks a little more modern, the other a bit more austere.

Justkeeprollingalong · 03/10/2019 08:52

Definitely different. Pronounced Is-O-bell and Is-A-bell

MikeUniformMike · 03/10/2019 08:29

They are different forms of Elizabeth.
They are comparable to, say, Elspeth and Elizabeth or Mary and Maria.
I would say Isobel as Isso-bel and Isabelle as Izza-bel.

Wallflowermeadow · 02/10/2019 23:17

They are different names, really people 😑

ilovetofu · 02/10/2019 20:17

The same.
I prefer Isabella. Personally.

NetballHoop · 02/10/2019 20:04

I would pronounce them differently.
To me Isobel is slighlty Scottish sounding, Isabelle is very French and Isabel is my default spelling and pronouciation. But I do have a touch of Spanish in me. I do like the name though and also like Ishbel.

BelfastNonBlonde · 02/10/2019 19:55

*And maybe only obvious to me as speaker

BelfastNonBlonde · 02/10/2019 19:54

I would pronounce them differently. Only slightly, and Anne only I would realise.

But also much prefer Isobel.

MeganChips · 02/10/2019 19:50

I have an Isobel and we pronounce it very slightly differently to her friend who is an Isabelle! That could just be because we have different accents but we pronounce the O. It’s very subtle though, most people probably wouldn’t notice.

Spelling wise I like both Isobel and Isabel. Never Isabelle, it’s unnecessarily frilly to me.

Mummyshark2018 · 02/10/2019 19:42

Different - one a focus on the O and the other the A

Sarahnewton456 · 02/10/2019 19:41

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reginafelangee · 02/10/2019 18:45

I agree op slight difference in pronunciation

ValancyRedfern · 02/10/2019 18:39

I'd pronounce them the same. Emphasis on the first syllable, schwa for the second syllable.

Decadoma · 02/10/2019 16:50

I think it depends on accent and/or location. I live in Scotland and here they are def different.

123Dancewithme · 02/10/2019 16:19

I’d pronounce them the same and prefer Isobel.

Isabel is another spelling you might consider - I think that’s the Spanish version.

AdelaideK · 02/10/2019 14:13

I'd pronounce them the same. I prefer the Isabelle spelling.

Crunchymum · 02/10/2019 14:11

As far as I know its a regional spelling.

Isobel is common in Scotland, Isabelle more common spelling in Southern England.

Mommabear6 · 02/10/2019 12:39

Two different names! One is isObel the other isAbelle

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