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Baby names

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

Original poster

Siblings- Isla and Isabelle?

57 replies

RHODXB · 18/09/2021 08:12

Another baby name one from me! Resounding majority of ppl like Sophia for isabelles new sister! However I can't get away from loving the name Isla!
Would it be awful to name siblings Isla and isabelle? For reference isabelle is known mostly as Izzy day to day!

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Kuachui · 18/09/2021 19:58

The ingham family have Isla and isabelle ( family vloggers)

I never thought it was wierd

HungryHippo11 · 18/09/2021 19:57

Its fine, although they start with the same letter its not the same sound.

RockPaperScissorLizardSpock · 18/09/2021 19:41

@Trinacham

There is a famous YouTube clogging family that have an Isabelle and an Isla. I've never thought it was odd.
I too think the names sound fine.

On a side note, I’ve read about that family. Let’s just say, I won’t be allowing my children to watch these ‘influencers’.

TheMadGardener · 18/09/2021 19:36

My friend gave all her three daughters first names beginning with E. Which was fine until they got old enough to start receiving official letters which all said "Miss E. xxxx" They complained continually about opening each other's letters. Once they moved out of home it was OK.

Possibly sisters having the same initial would be less of a problem these days now that more stuff is done online and less by post!

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 18/09/2021 19:32

Too similar.

Datsandcogs · 18/09/2021 19:27

They look very similar but they sound different. I like both. How about using an alternative spelling?

DonGray · 18/09/2021 19:20

no

alligatorpeardrop · 18/09/2021 19:17

I like it, go with what you love otherwise you may regret it and be resentful at worrying what these other people have said.

user1493494961 · 18/09/2021 18:27

I think it would be fine, lovely names.

Elisemum · 18/09/2021 17:06

Of course it’s ok, they are 2 completely different names, Isabelle and Isla actually go together very nicely. Nothing alike about them except the fact that they both start with “I”.

DameAlyson · 18/09/2021 13:29

Also, people on here are going to talk about the problems of post being sent to 'Miss I Rhodxb'. I don't know how big a problem that actually is

My sister and I had that problem when we were both young adults living at home. Made worse by the fact that at one point we both worked for the same temping agency. Sometimes we really didn't know which of us the letter was intended for.

Plumtree391 · 18/09/2021 13:21

Isla and Isabelle are too alike in my opinion. Sophia is nice.

Marcipex · 18/09/2021 13:14

I think it’s lovely actually.
After all the initial sounds are different.
I’d give them different middle initials though.

E11en · 18/09/2021 13:08

I think they're too similar.

I'd pick Sophie Lila

Or just Lila? Lila seems different enough from Isabelle

RuthW · 18/09/2021 13:07

It's fine. They are nothing like each other.

elf1985 · 18/09/2021 12:28

I know an isla and isabella and its fine. They really work as a duo

Janaih · 18/09/2021 12:08

YouTube clogging Grin excellent typo!

DoYouRememberTheInnMiranda · 18/09/2021 10:49

Could you spell it Ayla or Ailla? I think there are other recognised, maybe Cornish? Spellings of that name which would sound the same but look very dissimilar to Isabelle.

Trinacham · 18/09/2021 10:48

@Pollythecat15

I've heard them together before, but with another sibling in the middle.
Let me guess. Is the sibling called Esme by any chance?
Trinacham · 18/09/2021 10:46

Vlogging*

Trinacham · 18/09/2021 10:46

There is a famous YouTube clogging family that have an Isabelle and an Isla. I've never thought it was odd.

Piapea · 18/09/2021 10:26

Looking at both names you would think no immediately but actually saying them, they sound very different. Isabelle has a short 'i' sound and a 'z/s' while Isla has a long 'i' and a silent 's'.
I used to teach a little Spanish girl called Ayla pronounce Isla. Would you consider what some might think is a unique spelling to get you around the problem of the names looking similar?

EileenGC · 18/09/2021 10:07

I really like the combination. They're similar written down but not when you say them. The different length also makes the combo very interesting and varied I think.

I think it works mainly because Isabelle and Isla sounds much easier to say than Isla and Isabelle - the 'a' in Isla runs into the 'a' in 'and' but everyone I know introduces their children in birth order.

Pollythecat15 · 18/09/2021 10:01

I've heard them together before, but with another sibling in the middle.

FoxgloveSummers · 18/09/2021 09:24

I think it’s too similar! They’d forever be given each other’s things and it makes Isla look like a sequel child. What about Ida? Iona? (Not if your surname is a noun obvs) Leila? Lila?