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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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Buyitinbamboo · 01/10/2019 09:05

When I say them they sound different but I can imagine in general conversation where the emphasis isn't on the name they would probably sound the same.

KondoKonvert · 01/10/2019 09:05

IS oh bel
*
vs

Is a BELLE

So yes, very different in my accent.*

^^this!

fessmess · 01/10/2019 09:01

Different. IzObell and izAbell.

Frazzled2207 · 01/10/2019 08:57

I say them the same.

Just to confuse matters I know an Isobelle

ongranaryplease · 01/10/2019 08:52

I pronounce them differently but like a PP said it’s barely noticeable.
With Isobel I stress the middle syllable: Iz-OH-bel.
And for me with Isabelle the middle syllable is an ‘a’ noise not an ‘oh’ and I stress the last syllable and the L at the end is much stronger: Iz-a-beLL

But when I say them out loud you can’t really tell the difference

Sparklypurpleunicornsaremyfav · 01/10/2019 08:43

I have an Isabel and a friend with an isobel, I think we pronounce it the same way, never really noticed

LightDrizzle · 01/10/2019 08:02

I’ve got an Isobel.
I would be unsure whether an Isabelle was ISabelle or IsaBELLE, in the U.K. is could be either.
I’ve only heard Isobel with the stress on the first syllable.
Isobel was the more common spelling in the U.K. until Twilight hit the screens I think.

milliefiori · 01/10/2019 08:02

Just learned that's called a schwa!

milliefiori · 01/10/2019 08:02

I pronounce them the same because the middle syllable is uninflected, so in standard English, it's more of an uh sounds, regardless of the vowel written down.
So either way, it's IZ-uh-BELL

Equatoria · 01/10/2019 08:00

The same, IZZ-uh-bell for both. I have never heard Iz-OH-bel or Izo-BELLE.

user838383 · 01/10/2019 07:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NumberblockNo1 · 01/10/2019 07:56

Sound same in my southern accent. I think I might think Im saying theyre different but end result is def the same.

Gummibaerchen1 · 01/10/2019 07:54

IS oh bel

vs

Is a BELLE

So yes, very different in my accent.

CampingItUp · 01/10/2019 07:54

I would pronounce them the same.

I presumed that the two spellings arose because the sound in the middle is too quick to distinguish as o or a.

But I see Isabelle is French
Isobel is Scottish

yellowish · 01/10/2019 07:26

Same

isabellerossignol · 01/10/2019 07:25

In my accent they'd sound different, there would be a definite 'o' sound to Isobel.

SabineSchmetterling · 01/10/2019 07:21

Same In my accent. Both have a schwa sound in the middle.

DameSylvieKrin · 01/10/2019 07:18

I pronounce them differently but I don’t think you can hear the difference.

Bucatini · 01/10/2019 07:18

The same

Gummibaerchen1 · 01/10/2019 07:17

And Isobel is Is o bel whereas Isabel is Is a bel.

AlexaShutUp · 01/10/2019 07:17

I'd pronounce them the same.

Gummibaerchen1 · 01/10/2019 07:16

I would pronounce Isobel and Isabel with the emphasis on the first syllable.i

Isabelle is emphasised on the last syllable.

Astronica · 01/10/2019 07:15

The same pronunciation.

NoSauce · 01/10/2019 07:10

I know an Isobel ( in her 60s ) and she pronounces her name Iz-O-bel, the Isabelle’s I know ( 2 under 16 ) are pronounced Izabelle.

TottieandMarchpane · 01/10/2019 07:06

Pr. the same in my (southern) accent.

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