Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Isla too common?

62 replies

Londonlady1423 · 17/04/2023 15:39

Hi,

What are your thoughts on the name Isla? We like it as a possible name but looking at name statistics it seems like it's quite common at the moment which put us off.
Other names we like are Rose, Lucy and Hannah

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
LolaSmiles · 17/04/2023 20:56

Isla is a nice name, but has definitely become one of the most popular names at the moment along with other short a ending names.

Unless you choose something very timeless or very unique, I think names always show something of an era. E.g. the Mai/May/Ray/Rei/Rae middle names were a trend for a while, just like Louise and Jane used to be the middle names of choice. One generation has Ian and Gary, another generation is going to be full of Theos and Noahs.

userxx · 17/04/2023 20:40

I prefer Rose.

AintNobodyHateMeBetter · 17/04/2023 20:39

I don't like the name personally. It started increasing in popularity 16 years ago and clearly people haven't got enough of it as there's still loads of babies being named it. It's up there with all the Olivia's, Sophia's, Ava's.

girljulian · 17/04/2023 20:38

Oh, and my sister (30) is a Lucy. I like it. Never common.

girljulian · 17/04/2023 20:37

I think Isla is so common it will be this generation’s Emma. I know four women who were christened Emma in the 80s who have since called themselves something else because it was most so ubiquitous it wasn’t individual.

My cousin has recently called her baby Isla so of course I didn’t say this, but I know upwards of five Islas between 0 and 5.

MilkshakeEarthquake · 17/04/2023 20:32

Would be too popular for me but everyone’s different, wouldn’t want her to be one of 3 in her class 😏

Littlemisscol · 17/04/2023 20:30

We have 4 Islas in yr4 class and at least one per class throughout Primary here.

Lucy and Hannah though - quite retro names. I like them!

PrangKdcu · 17/04/2023 20:28

It is very common yes. It also blends in with a lot of the similar short, ending in ’a’ names, Ava, Eva, Ada etc.. Lucy and Hannah are much more individual. I like Rose but know lots of Rosie’s.

villamariavintrapp · 17/04/2023 19:18

I know LOADS of Islas. Every single ex pat scot for the last 10 years who has had a baby girl (almost).

Londonlady1423 · 17/04/2023 18:38

jackstini · 17/04/2023 18:16

I know 1 Iyla age 9 (spelled that way) & 1 Isla age 14

2 Hannahs, 17 & 25

No Rose, but 2 Rosies -40s and 60s

Can't stand Lucy, but know 2 - 17 & 50

Lydia - 1 in her 20s

Why can't you stand Lucy out of curiosity? I accept that not everyone will like the same names

OP posts:
jackstini · 17/04/2023 18:16

I know 1 Iyla age 9 (spelled that way) & 1 Isla age 14

2 Hannahs, 17 & 25

No Rose, but 2 Rosies -40s and 60s

Can't stand Lucy, but know 2 - 17 & 50

Lydia - 1 in her 20s

Londonlady1423 · 17/04/2023 18:15

uhtredbebbanburg · 17/04/2023 17:00

I have an Isla. We lived abroad when she was born 12 years ago and didn't know any Islas and I thought it was a lovely name. We moved back to Scotland and every other child (and dog!) is an Isla. But that's okay, I still think it's a lovely name and don't regret naming her that.

It is a lovely name and I'm sure having so many didn't take anything away from its loveliness for you.

I think it's so hard to predict class names now as there are so many new names being used but as someone who shared their name with classmates I would prefer this didn't happen. I do like the other names and am starting to lean more towards Lucy which I feel is also quite popular but maybe not as trendy so won't be as bad if there are 2 in the class

OP posts:
MyFaceIsAnAONB · 17/04/2023 18:07

To add to my previous comment of ‘She will be one of a classful of Evie, Isla, Emily, Ava, Ada, Isabelle, Elkie, Alba (I know all of these IRL) etc’…..
Will you look at those parents who used those names despite their popularity and WISH you’d been like them and gone for Isla because you love it so much? If so then there’s your answer.

toomanysausages · 17/04/2023 17:54

Isla is lovely and I don't know of any irl

FayCarew · 17/04/2023 17:46

@Londonlady1423 , Isla has been in the top 10 names for about 10 years, and Mila/Myla/Lyla/Lila/Lilah/Delilah are getting popular, which sound similar.
Hannah and Lucy are always around, but Hannah was a top 10 name in the 1990s, and Lucy a top 20 name.

If you love Isla, use it, but would you still love it if Isla is in a class with others with the same or similar first names?

MummyHopeful2 · 17/04/2023 17:38

I think it will be this generation's Gemma or Karen.

Pemba · 17/04/2023 17:06

Isla has been very, very popular for a few years now. It's fine, personally I find it a bit nothingy. I much prefer your other selections.

MyFaceIsAnAONB · 17/04/2023 17:04

giggly · 17/04/2023 16:20

Does it matter? Surely you pick a name you like and who cares if it s common or not. I mean how many Jacks/ Emily’s/ Sophie’s etc are out there.
I cant believe someone called their child Alba, that’s trying way too hard and I say that as a Scottish person.
Pick the name you love not what others call there’s.

I know TWO Albas 😄

SBAM · 17/04/2023 17:01

DD is in Year 1. There’s 60 kids in the year, about 30 are girls. Theres two Islas, (plus a Lilah, a Lola, and an alma) and 2 Ava’s.
My DS also has an Isla in his nursery class.

Lucy, Rose and Hannah are all lovely and timeless I think, and I’d pick any of those above Isla (which I do think is a nice name, just a little overused currently).

uhtredbebbanburg · 17/04/2023 17:00

I have an Isla. We lived abroad when she was born 12 years ago and didn't know any Islas and I thought it was a lovely name. We moved back to Scotland and every other child (and dog!) is an Isla. But that's okay, I still think it's a lovely name and don't regret naming her that.

AgnesGray · 17/04/2023 16:58

More Hannahs than Lucys IME, but not many of either

Londonlady1423 · 17/04/2023 16:51

AgnesGray · 17/04/2023 16:48

Oh sorry, do I know many - yes, because I work in a school. Now secondary but it used to be primary where it was very common along with Sophia and Olivia

Working in a school do you see many Lucy or Hannah's?

OP posts:
AgnesGray · 17/04/2023 16:48

Oh sorry, do I know many - yes, because I work in a school. Now secondary but it used to be primary where it was very common along with Sophia and Olivia

PrincessHoneysuckle · 17/04/2023 16:48

We only have one Rose at the school I work at and it's far less common than your other names.So much better than the predictable Rosie.

WhatHoMarjorie · 17/04/2023 16:45

Isla is to the 2020s as Lisa was to the 1970s.