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Baby names

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

Original poster

Matilda, Isabelle or Harriet?

60 replies

Opinion4321 · 08/05/2021 17:28

Which do you prefer please?

I'm due in a week and am really stuck. I thought I'd decided on Harriet but I love Issie and have always liked Matilida too.

Thanks in advance

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thirstyformore · 08/05/2021 21:14

I'm slightly biased as my DD is Harriet (nn Hattie). I think when she was born it was only just in the top 100....sounds like it's gaining in popularity if it's now 64th!

It doesn't feel like an overly popular name. We didn't know any others in her class/year at primary school, and only maybe one other in her year at high school.

I think it's a strong name to take her from childhood to adulthood

partyatthepalace · 08/05/2021 21:12

All nice but Matilda
Less overused than Isabel right now, and a less twee than Harriet

headlock · 08/05/2021 21:06

Have always loved Harriet as long as it's not shortened to Harry! I like Hattie though.

mangodreams · 08/05/2021 20:26

If you put all the different spellings of Isabelle and Isabella together it would be the most popular girl's name. I am a teacher and there are just so many of them.

I like Matilda. Matty and Tilda are quite nice not so keen on Tilly. It is still relatively popular, at least 3 in each year group at our school.

Harriet is ok but really not keen on Hattie, Etta is nice though. In our school there are probably about 3 or 4 in the whole school.

Peachbubble · 08/05/2021 20:17

Matilda, with Harriet a close second. Not so keen on Isabelle.

BigCityBrightLights · 08/05/2021 20:15

I’ve just had to name change for this - but I am a 41 year old Isabelle - and yes I am French.
When I was growing up (in UK) it was incredibly unpopular and seen as very exotic - yet now half of the little girls that I have come across since having my own DC seem to be called Isabelle / Isabel.

Btw - I would never spell it Issie. Izzy usually.

Original poster
Opinion4321 · 08/05/2021 20:11

Thanks all.

Are they all really that popular? Bounty has Isabelle at 33 and Matilda at 35

Maybe Harriet at 64 is a better option then : )

OP posts:
Arrierttyclock · 08/05/2021 20:04

Matilda

Dinosauraddict · 08/05/2021 20:02

All lovely. I would probably pick Matilda (nn Tilda or Tilly) or Harriet (nn Hattie). I like Issie as nn but Isabella is very popular these days.

NannyR · 08/05/2021 20:01

Matilda. Also love Isabel, but personally prefer it without the -Elle ending, which looks too frilly and girly to me.

AnnaSW1 · 08/05/2021 19:57

Matilda

Ellmau · 08/05/2021 19:54

Isabelle.

brushlaptop · 08/05/2021 19:14

Matilda 100%

Macdo · 08/05/2021 19:10

All lovely but all very popular at the moment. Just be prepared that they are the Sarah, Claire, and Emma of the 2020s. As long as you're fine with that that's ok - and my first name was the most common the year I was born and it was fine.

MyCatIsADentist · 08/05/2021 19:07

Like them all but Harriet is the best - it’s a beautiful name, not ‘out there’, but definitely not one you come across all the time.

Onlinedilema · 08/05/2021 19:05

Harriet then Iasbelle.

BonesJones · 08/05/2021 19:04

Harriet. I love it, possibly because I have a good friend Harriet who is the loveliest! I know a horrorbag tilly so it puts me off Matilda, even though theoretically I like it.

Redskyyy · 08/05/2021 19:02

I love them all! Would go for Harriet because (I think) it’s slightly less used than the other 2.

Africa2go · 08/05/2021 18:56

In her mixed class of 30 so 4 out of 15 girls had the same name! Shock

Africa2go · 08/05/2021 18:55

All 3 are really popular - I have senior school children (in different years) and I would say there are 4 or 5 of each name in the year group. Have a DD with one of those names and she was 1 of 4 with the same name in her class.

Fauvist · 08/05/2021 18:54

Harriet 100%. Fabulous name. Matilda is nice. Isabelle is OK. None of these are awful, though! You picked a great shortlist.

Friolero · 08/05/2021 18:50

I prefer Matilda

Foxglovers · 08/05/2021 18:46

Matilda and Isabelle are my favourites!

MonkeyPuddle · 08/05/2021 18:21

I have a Matilda. We call her Tilda. Before she was born (6mo) I didn’t meet many, now every baby round here is one! Met a lovely rottie dog named Matilda a few weeks ago as well.

But I still love the name.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 08/05/2021 18:19

All are nice and quite classic. Isabel would be my fave when it's spelt the simpler way - but otherwise it looks a touch frilly to me (unless you are French, in which case apologies!).

So between Harriet and Matilda it's difficult - maybe decide based on the nn's - Mattie, Milly, Tilly or Tilda; or Harry, Hattie, Hetty or Etta? (I think Harriet just edges it for me.).

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