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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is it too popular?

69 replies

jasminesunflower · 02/04/2023 08:29

Is Isabella too popular or dull?

What about Isabella "Bella"?

Is Isabelle less popular where you are?

and would you say they are about to be dated?

Is Isabella "Bella" too Twilight?

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MikeLitoriss · 02/04/2023 19:20

I reallybdon't get why it's so popular! It's the blandest most blah girl's name, no matter how you spell it

KirstenBlest · 02/04/2023 19:09

@luckylavender , there were hardly any Isabel(le)s and Isabellas in my age group, and other than one the only ones my age I know are not British by birth/heritage. The trend for vowelly names and Ellie/Ella names will end, and it is then they will seem dated.

Luredbyapomegranate · 02/04/2023 18:12

They are both lovely but screamingly overused, and I guess if you’re asking then that bothers you

Isadora might be an option ?

I think the PP just means Isabelle is a slightly fussy spelling, given it’s the same sound as Isabel. Isabel/la were the original versions of the name used in England and Scotland as far as I know, Elizabeth only picked up speed in the later mediaeval period.

Vodkaislethal · 02/04/2023 17:14

I think it’s a lovely name. It makes me think of Isabella Rossellini. I am less keen on the diminutive Bella

FluffySlippers23 · 02/04/2023 17:09

Love Isabella. I only know 1 in real life. I have primary school age children.

Awumminnscotland · 02/04/2023 16:50

Also Rosella is a nice name. Quite a few Isabellas round here.

Lucyclara · 02/04/2023 16:41

I love Isabella.

I only know one Isabella (Bella), but can think of eight young Isabelles just off the top of my head.

Mammyloveswine · 02/04/2023 16:13

I think it's a lovely name!

I also really like Imogen also!

OllieAggieNouse · 02/04/2023 16:11

Isabella is a lovely name (I don't know anything about Twilight, but it reminds me of Keats, in a good way). If you like it, I'd use it.

shutthewindownow · 02/04/2023 16:08

Not popular her but I really dislike it it's like a spoilt brat name

Tellmethespoiler · 02/04/2023 16:05

luckylavender · 02/04/2023 15:29

I'm over 60 and there's never been a time when any variety of 'Isabel' is dated in my lifetime.

Show quote history

Isabella would have been very dated in the 60s, 70s and even 80s. Isabel or Isobel weren’t. The 90s were when the more flouncy Victorian names started coming back.

CaptainCallisto · 02/04/2023 15:51

In the primary school I work in, there are currently 11 girls called Isobel/Isabella out of 296 pupils. So quite popular in my area. The only girl's name that comes close to matching it in terms of popularity is Rose/Rosie.

It's a versatile name, lots of shortenings if she chooses to do so as she grows up (we've an Isa, a Bella, and a couple of Izzies), but a perfectly useable name in its own right. If the popularity bothers you, then maybe not, but you can never tell when a name will suddenly explode in popularity. You might call your child something you think is unusual, only to find everyone else had the same idea!

Tellmethespoiler · 02/04/2023 15:29

luckylavender · 02/04/2023 15:22

They're not going to become dated. They're perennial.

Show quote history

Isabella will date - it’s quite flowery, and that style is going out of fashion. Isabel or Isobel are more current.

luckylavender · 02/04/2023 15:29

KirstenBlest · 02/04/2023 15:27

@luckylavender , so are Susan and Sarah, but they're not babies' names these days.

I'm over 60 and there's never been a time when any variety of 'Isabel' is dated in my lifetime.

drpet49 · 02/04/2023 15:28

00100001 · 02/04/2023 08:34

Nobody cares.

Even the most popular names aren't that common.

700,000 babies are born each year. Let's assume ½ we're girls. Which is 350,000 girls.

Only 3,649 were called Olivia in 2022. And that was number 1.

So that's 1 in 100 kids.

Call your child the name you like.

This. The only Isabelle I’ve ever come across is in their 40s

KirstenBlest · 02/04/2023 15:27

@luckylavender , so are Susan and Sarah, but they're not babies' names these days.

luckylavender · 02/04/2023 15:22

jasminesunflower · 02/04/2023 08:29

Is Isabella too popular or dull?

What about Isabella "Bella"?

Is Isabelle less popular where you are?

and would you say they are about to be dated?

Is Isabella "Bella" too Twilight?

They're not going to become dated. They're perennial.

mummyofthreemunchkins · 02/04/2023 14:36

I have an Isabella, she's the only one in her school. There is a couple of Bella's though. We never shortened her name, a couple of people have called her Izzy which she's not keen on and will let them know!

FragranceFree · 02/04/2023 14:20

Vodababy · 02/04/2023 08:44

I think so. There's a little girl in my son's class (5) called Rosabella (Bella) which I'd never heard of before Smile

This is a nice name

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 02/04/2023 14:18

I know a baby Isabella but she's an Izzy (yuck).

LadyKenya · 02/04/2023 14:04

Yes it's a popular name. There were a few in the school that I worked in. They were never called by their full name though for some reason.

Pullthecurtains · 02/04/2023 14:04

There aren’t any Isabella’s or Isabelle’s in my kids school (Scotland). There are however multiple Auroras which I would have thought would be more uncommon so I think it depends on the area you live in as well.

FiveHundredDucksWentOutOneDay · 02/04/2023 14:00

I don't know any. It's always called popular, it always seems to be ruled out based on popularity, but I don't know any.

I know three Avas, quite a few Olivias, four Evie's born in the last year alone...

I like Isabelle. If you like it, I wouldn't rule it out based on popularity unless you personally know half a dozen.

Original poster
jasminesunflower · 02/04/2023 13:57

Tellmethespoiler · 02/04/2023 09:42

Isabella is quite popular,but it’s a nice name. I know a few in their 20s and late teens.
Isabelle is a bit cringey, unless you are French. It’s Isabel or Isobel.

Isabelle is the most common spelling in the UK.

The name isn't English in general so I don't see how it matters? Isobel is Scottish and Isabel is Spanish.

Why is the Spanish spelling okay but the French one cringey?

OP posts:
KirstenBlest · 02/04/2023 13:14

It's pretty but it's long and will be Izzy, Bella or Ella.
Isabel(le) is also very popular as is Ella.
If you like it, use it, but I'd avoid using Rose, Grace or May as a middle name.

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