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

How many Islas do you know?

62 replies

dellarossa · 09/11/2020 13:23

Hello! First time pregnancy here and we’ve just found out we’re having a girl 😀 we’re thrilled!

Just wanted thoughts on the name Isla... I’ve loved it for absolutely years but I worry that it’s so popular these days, it seems like it’s always on top 10 lists in the UK (we’re in England).

DH and I don’t actually know many babies as we’re among the first of our friends to get pregnant and we don’t have young relatives so I’m not sure whether a name being on a popular list would actually mean that she’d end up going to school with 3 other Islas in her class. So my question is - how many Islas do you know? Ages & rough locations also really helpful! Thanks in advance 😊

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
MrsA2Be · 09/11/2020 16:47

My niece born last week is Iyla

Firebird83 · 09/11/2020 16:36

Loads. The two most recent babies born that I know of are both called Isla!

HemlockStarglimmer · 09/11/2020 16:23

I know of one 16 year old and one three year old.
One in Scotland and one in the midlands but with Scottish ancestry.

Bettina500 · 09/11/2020 16:17

I have an Isla, named before it became popular. She's the only one in her class and there's one other in her school. It's not madly popular here but much as I love the name I probably wouldn't use it if I had her now.

IndiaMay · 09/11/2020 16:07

I know 2 Isla's born in the last 3 months (both from girls in my uni degree, I'm 29 so it must appeal to that age of mother maybe). I also know 1 who is 9 and one who is 6. I'm in the south east

Youngatheart00 · 09/11/2020 16:05

Lots and lots, pretty but now very common name.

Indecisivelurcher · 09/11/2020 16:03

I have a 6 yo Isla. We nearly didn't use the name because of its popularity. But I think its just luck really whether there are lots or not. She's the only Isla in her class.
Before that she was the only Isla in her nursery. I've heard a couple round and about in the park etc, various ages. We are in Gloucestershire.

LittleTiger007 · 09/11/2020 15:56

I work in a primary school so I know a lot. It’s a popular name currently. If you like it then go for it!

whinetime89 · 09/11/2020 14:14

I am in Australia, loved Isla, however I was hearing it lots so went with Ayla.... I know of 6 Ayla's in our area and 1 Isla

kittykat35 · 09/11/2020 14:13

There's 1 Isla in my DC's school.

wwud12 · 09/11/2020 14:13

I know 6, all under the age of 8. But my eldest daughter has a popular name at the time she was born, what does it matter if you like the name?

Mangofandangoo · 09/11/2020 14:12

I have an Isla she's 3.5. She was the only one in her nursery and the only one on her preschool if that helps

SparklyOwl · 09/11/2020 14:12

I only know two but it’s used in a derogatory manner by the local secondary school due to the Isla bike brand. It’s a lovely name but that would put me off ever using it now.

FluffyEggsontoast · 09/11/2020 14:12

It's obviously not a mega unusual name but the numbers of Isla's have been falling each and every year since 2014 so it's much less used than it used to be (see graph of official statistics below):

names.darkgreener.com/#isla

If you like I names how about Imogen Immy or Indigo, India or Indie or Aria

Or what about Delilah with nickname Lilah , that sounds similar but is further down the charts

Glitterheart · 09/11/2020 14:10

My daughter is an Isla. She is the only Isla in her infant school. It is popular but that’s because it’s a beautiful name! 😍

daisydalrymple · 09/11/2020 14:09

North Wales and I know two
A 2 year old and 11 year old

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 09/11/2020 14:08

My daughter. And my younger daughter had one the group below at preschool.

My daughtee was the only one at nursery, preschool, and her for two primary schools. Im not sure on her current primary school (army family, so moved a lot) but only one in her year at least. Shes been the only one at swimming, dance, Cubs, youth club, summer camp etc.

Chances are, whatever name to choose, they will be the only one with their name at school etc. Even the most popular names are inly given to less than one percent of babies.

Bubbletrouble43 · 09/11/2020 14:06

3 : all under 4. One local, one in Australia, and one dog.

kittensarecute · 09/11/2020 14:06

I know one, she's 10 and very sweet.

sorryforswearing · 09/11/2020 14:04

Two. One 6 ish . One in Juniors. Not sure about age. West Yorkshire.

chaosisaladder · 09/11/2020 14:00

Soooooo many. But if you like it, that’s all that matters! Congratulations 🎉

VioletSunset · 09/11/2020 13:59

I know 4, and my next door neighbours dog is called Isla too

seven201 · 09/11/2020 13:57

I'm south east. There's only one Isla in reception (3 form intake). There was two Isla's in her small nursery (different ages). I haven't met any baby Isla's recently.

Itmaybeus · 09/11/2020 13:56

2 both 11.

emmathedilemma · 09/11/2020 13:52

maybe skewed by being in Scotland but 2 adults, 2 children approx age 10 & 12 (although I know one of them has a close friend also called Isla), and a toddler.