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Baby names

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

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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user1493494961 · 01/10/2019 22:19

I would pronounce the same.

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 01/10/2019 20:32

I think they are the same. However Dneice is an Izabelle and when she was small, used to tell anyone off if they pronounced it as Isa.... Instead of Iza... I think those two sound the same too.

Gummibaerchen1 · 01/10/2019 20:25

Isabel is much nicer than Isobel. Sometimes the nickname becomes Isa which is cute for a girl. Iso sounds masculine imo.

Original poster
UnoriginalUserName948 · 01/10/2019 20:22

So we're split here too! Grin
@peasando, I prefer the Isobel spelling, I think.

OP posts:
fridgeovertroubledwater · 01/10/2019 17:44

I think Isabelle looks 'frillier' and prefer Isobel

Gummibaerchen1 · 01/10/2019 17:43

In England I definitely prefer Isabel!

In France Isabelle works better.

crankyotter · 01/10/2019 17:39

I didn't realise there was a difference. I've known various Isobel/Isabelle's and had never noticed a difference in pronunciation so it must be very slight.

@peasando
I think Isabelle looks prettier when written down.

PEkithelp · 01/10/2019 17:38

I pronounce them differently.
Iz-oh-bell
Isz-ah-bell

peasando · 01/10/2019 17:33

I would pronounce them exactly the same.

Can I hijack a bit to ask which spelling people prefer? I'm currently having tris debate with DH!

RueCambon · 01/10/2019 17:17

The same. IZZubel for both.

1ToughCookie · 01/10/2019 17:15

I'd pronounce them slightly different. O vs ah.

Gummibaerchen1 · 01/10/2019 13:59

Isobel is Iz oh bell (emphasis on Iz)

Isabelle is Ee sah BELL (emphasis on Bell)

DramaAlpaca · 01/10/2019 13:56

I pronounce them exactly the same.

Mamagunner · 01/10/2019 13:54

Isobel I pronounce is-o-bell
Isabelle I pronounce Is-a-bell
I can hear the difference when I pronounce the two in my southern accent.

daisypond · 01/10/2019 13:35

They’re quite different and not because of the schwa. Isobel/Isabel has the stress on the first syllable. Isabelle has the stress on the last syllable. I assume if people spell it that way that’s the pronunciation they want.

FlyingSquid · 01/10/2019 13:21

KUGA I think every Isobel/Isabel/Isabelle/Isabella round here is an Iz or Izzy. Haven't come across a single Belle or Bella.

HoratioNightboy · 01/10/2019 13:16

Very subtle difference in my accent (SE Scotland)

É™ = schwa

IZ-ə-bəl
IZ-É™-bel

bridgetreilly · 01/10/2019 12:31

So either way, it's IZ-uh-BELL

This. Also, I would usually spell it Isabel.

BoggiesBonnieBelle · 01/10/2019 11:21

Different in my part of Scotland

IZOH bell
IZAH bell

Fisharesexierthanme · 01/10/2019 10:23

Subtle difference. IsssObel vs Izabelle

usarae · 01/10/2019 09:32

In my accent they sound the same. Even though in my head I think I'm saying them differently they both sound like iz-uh-bell

KUGA · 01/10/2019 09:29

Isabelle, she'll be called bella anyway.

ImportantWater · 01/10/2019 09:09

I would say them differently if I was reading them out but say them the same in every day life.

MikeUniformMike · 01/10/2019 09:09

different

IncrediblySadToo · 01/10/2019 09:06

I think when you say them to listen to the pronunciation they sound different (in my southern & foreign accents) but in every day does h there’s no discernible difference in the uk.

I prefer Isabelle though.

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