Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Baby is here, but can’t pick name.

90 replies

Orphlids · 04/10/2020 16:38

Baby girl is two weeks old today, and we’re a bit stuck for a name. We seem to keep coming back to these two: Gaia Delphine and Ingrid Isolde. Which do you prefer? (Please, if you hate them both, could you refrain from saying so? Thanks!)

Gaia Delphine has no particularly special meaning to us, we just like the sound. But I can’t decide if Gaia doesn’t stand out from all the other vowel-heavy names which are currently popular.

I like the alliteration of Ingrid Isolde. I like how Ingrid sounds different to the many very frilly and pretty names currently in fashion. I don’t like the sound of the name Isolde particularly, but the baby’s older sister is named after a character from opera and I’d like that little link between them.

Thanks for any feedback!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
LarkDescending · 05/10/2020 17:40

Ingrid is lovely. Are you any closer to a decision?

Moominmama5 · 05/10/2020 17:24

Ingrid is lovely.
Agree there might be pronunciation issues with your other choice.

PlantPotting · 05/10/2020 17:17

Delphine is lovely
Dislike Ingrid

Adelais · 05/10/2020 16:55

Gaia Delphine is my favourite.
I don’t think Ingrid Isolde flows very well.

Enko · 05/10/2020 16:15

Ingrid Isolde i like the idea of the siblings mn having a tie

1busybee · 05/10/2020 16:14

Delphine Isolde.

Pudding01 · 05/10/2020 16:07

Really like Ingrid and like you have said, Delphine would be my second fave. Congratulations on your baby girl and I hope this has helped 💖 x

Odile13 · 05/10/2020 15:50

I would go for Ingrid. I think it’s a pretty name.

I don’t know how to pronounce Gaia and imagine people not knowing would get annoying for you and DD over a lifetime.

Sunflowers247 · 05/10/2020 15:42

I thought Gaia is Guy-a, like Maia.

I like it, also like Ingrid. Both are interesting and memorable names!

SirSamuelVimes · 05/10/2020 15:10

@PattyPan

I thought Gaia was gay-ah Blush
Me too Blush
PattyPan · 05/10/2020 14:29

I thought Gaia was gay-ah Blush

Pippilangstrumpfs · 05/10/2020 14:27

Ingrid Isolde is such a beautiful name! Congrats.

Gaia is beautiful too. Wouldn't most pronounce it Guy-a?

PattyPan · 05/10/2020 14:26

I prefer Ingrid Isolde, don’t like Gaia. That said, I’m not mad keen on naming a child after such a train wreck of a character, although there are probably not many opera characters to choose from who don’t make terrible choices 😂

Rainbowsparklesdust1921 · 05/10/2020 14:21

Ingrid Isolde definitely, they're both beautiful & unusual names! 😀

Carouselfish · 05/10/2020 14:13

Carmen is my first DD. Not choosing another operatic one, going for 1920s instead. Am over saturated with names though and have appointment to register on Thursday!

17caterpillars1mouse · 05/10/2020 14:08

I love Ingrid and considered it with nn Indie

FizzyGreenWater · 05/10/2020 13:45

Defnitely Ingrid for the first name over Gaia. It's stronger, nicer and no pronunciation issues. Gaia will get Gayer, Geeyuh, Guyay, etc. It's not obvious.

Isolde or Dephine with Ingrid is great, but the alliteration edges it for me.

Original poster
Orphlids · 05/10/2020 11:11

@Carouselfish, how funny! Congratulations! Are you thinking of choosing another operatic name for new baby? Have fun choosing. I like Carmen, but it doesn’t go with the surname.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orphlids · 05/10/2020 11:05

Thank you all so much for your feedback. And for being so kind about our choices. I think those of you who have said there will be pronunciation issues with Gaia are right. And I think I also agree with those of you who have said Delphine might be better as a first name. I’ve passed on all your thoughts to DP, and he too agrees with what many of you have said. Ingrid Isolde seems to have got a positive reaction from many of you, which is a pleasant surprise. We’re going to spend a couple of days deciding if she’s a Delphine or an Ingrid. Thanks again, everyone, much appreciated!

OP posts:
MercyBodle · 05/10/2020 06:58

I really love Ingrid Isolde! I love everything about it - Ingrid is a beautiful, classy, strong, feminine, international name that's easy to spell and pronounce, and is not over-used. And, bonus, it is not frilly. Isolde is beautiful and evocative and makes the perfect middle with Ingrid.

Gaia Delphine is okay, but just not in the same class for me. And Gaia, though distinctive in some ways is very like the popular sounds at the moment - Maya, Maia, Lila, Aria, Isla etc etc.

nonicknameseemsavailable · 05/10/2020 00:22

I think Gaia will spend her life being asked how to spell or say her name. I don't dislike it - just can see it being a pain.

Isolde is pretty and it is unusual but not too strange. Could lead to spelling issues but if it is a middle name then not an issue (I have a middle name that can be spelt in about 5 different ways and other than me finding it hard to learn to spell myself as a child it is used so rarely it isn't an issue. Oh and when they did my driving licence spelt wrong but ...

Ingrid is again unusual but not strange, I think it is well known enough and I can't see how anyone could struggle to say or spell it.

Delphine I like, I think it is pretty without being little girly and flowery like so many names at the moment.

Think what nicknames could arise from them, if the initials work with your surname both with and without middle initial (you would be amazed how many parents don't think about this and people end up saddled with lots of teasing potential once someone notices.

FizzingWhizzbee123 · 04/10/2020 23:43

I like Isolde best, I’d pick that as her first name.

thegreylady · 04/10/2020 23:02

Gaia is a gorgeous name and I like Delphine too.

Firebird83 · 04/10/2020 23:00

Ingrid Isolde

Auto · 04/10/2020 21:57

Ingrid Isolde.

Gaia is becoming trendy among hipster environmentalists. Nothing wrong with that but if that's your crowd there may be a fair few more baby Gaia's.