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Baby names

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

Original poster

Isobel, Emma or Eleanor?

60 replies

Vexxa · 11/06/2023 14:51

Thanks so much to everyone who commented on my previous thread about middle names for Isobel. It was very helpful and I thought we'd settled on Isobel Anne for DD2!

Now I'm having a wobble after the other thread going around about people's names being continually misspelled. It's made me worry a bit that the spelling variations of Isobel will be an issue, and look back at our original list.

Which would you choose please?

Isobel Anne
Emma Elizabeth
Eleanor Rebecca

Emma has the advantage of there only being one spelling but I like the possibilities of shortening Isobel and Eleanor.

For context our surname is 2 syllables beginning with W and DD1 is Beatrice.

Thanks! 😊

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Happymummydays · 18/06/2023 17:35

I think Emma Elizabeth has a beautiful ring to it. Definitely my favourite

ImpunityJane · 17/06/2023 22:09

@DuchessOfSausage Yes, there are variations around, but I've noticed that the youngest cohort doesn't seem to feature as many El- names. I reckon there are more El- variants and Isabel/Isabellas among the over 10s.

These things do vary a lot by area, of course. I'm in South London.

I'm still coming across a lot of Evie/Ava names. But also several names do relate to Emmi-nicknames. Just pointing out that can happen too.

Anyway, I think all the options are very nice.

DuchessOfSausage · 17/06/2023 11:34

@ImpunityJane , the names themselves aren't hugely popular but there are so many similar names. Isabella is very popular, and Isabelle still used a lot.
There are lots of El-names around like Ella, Ellie, Elena, Helena, Elodie, Eliana...
so you might get several Ellies and Izzys in a class.

PeopleAreToads · 17/06/2023 11:23

Eleanor Rebecca is currently top of my list for DD1 due in October so might be a bit biased but I'd go with that!

Beachywave · 17/06/2023 11:15

Don't worry about the spelling

Our son has a name that can be spelt about 5 different ways and it's fine.

On another note, I prefer Emma to Isobel.

HidingInAForest · 17/06/2023 11:12

I think too when they are very small they often go by the fully name - but within a couple of years it becomes milly, lily, izzy, tilly, immy, etc. Nothing wrong with it but just lots of them!

ImpunityJane · 17/06/2023 08:55

I think the popularity of Eleanor and Isobel has died down a bit with current babies and early years kids and they are both classics that I wouldn't hesitate to use. Emma is a classic too, but a little simpler/plainer-sounding. All are nice.

Be aware that there are a few Emmi and Emily variations around too, so just as people keep saying there are too many names starting with El- (not my experience really, but I see it claimed here a lot), I come across Em- names too. I wouldn't let any of that deter you and I really don't think it's such a hassle to explain spelling among these commonly known names. Most people know there are different forms and are capable of learning which you use.

Original poster
Vexxa · 17/06/2023 08:16

TheaBrandt · 17/06/2023 06:42

Emma or Verity the others are very boring as overused. Eleanor will merge in with all the other El type names. Think if you new to parenting you don’t appreciate how samey a lot of the names are - as Spring confirms.

It’s good to be aware we nearly named our first child the most boring popular name of that year I realised just in time and gave her a fabulous name.

I have a 2 year old but haven't come across any of these names at nursery or baby groups, or among my friends' children! Smile

OP posts:
TheaBrandt · 17/06/2023 06:42

Emma or Verity the others are very boring as overused. Eleanor will merge in with all the other El type names. Think if you new to parenting you don’t appreciate how samey a lot of the names are - as Spring confirms.

It’s good to be aware we nearly named our first child the most boring popular name of that year I realised just in time and gave her a fabulous name.

SpringIntoChaos · 16/06/2023 20:27

I think it's just that there are so many 'Ellie' names out there at the moment OP (which is very pretty but far more popular right now). I have 2 in my class this year...an Ellie-Mae and and Ellie-May 🤷‍♀️ A few years ago I had 3! (2 with the standard 'Mae' middle name!). There's also a gamut of 'll' sounding names that all just mush together on the school register: Lilly, Lily, Amelie, Milly, Molly, Amelia, Ellie...all lovely of course but goodness there's a lot of them 🤦‍♀️

I've only ever taught one Emma and that was about 8 years ago now. She'd be in 6th form about now I'd think 🥰 (I'm in my 29th year teaching so that's quite a lot of little girls passing through my register!)

Original poster
Vexxa · 16/06/2023 19:29

Thank you all. I think DH and I are clear that this is our shortlist of 3, but I don't feel any closer to a decision right now! That's ok as we still have plenty of time.

I'm curious as to why people think Eleanor (and Ellie) is much more common than Emma - on the latest ONS list for 2021 there are very similar numbers (they are 55 and 61 on the list) and looking at darker greener I can't see that Eleanor has been that much more popular over the years. Is it just that there are lots of other names which might shorten to Ellie too?

OP posts:
Original poster
Vexxa · 16/06/2023 19:24

Violasaremyfavourite · 16/06/2023 05:40

One of my children changed their name as a teenager. They were sick of people mispronouncing and misspelling their name. They chose a four letter name which has a very clear pronunciation. As a result I would never chose a name with multiple spellings. People also mishear my name constantly and are not sure of the spelling. It is only four letters too but an old-fashioned name not heard much these days. I have to spell my name all the time.

Have yout thought of Gemma as a name - a little bit more rare than Emma but still easy to spell?

If I had adaughter instead of sons, I'd be inclined to Verity which is rare but easy to spell.

Thank you, we have a family member called Gemma, and another called Annie so sadly Anna is out as another poster suggested.
Verity is actually on our shortlist but I'm not sure I love it as much as the others!

OP posts:
dwightschrutebeets · 16/06/2023 13:45

Emma

TheaBrandt · 16/06/2023 07:52

Emma is lovely so is Mary. Simple and under used amid all the Eves/Isabels/Graces of which there are hundreds!

bobby81 · 16/06/2023 07:27

Emma

Daffodilwoman · 16/06/2023 07:20

They are all lovely names. I’d go with Isobel.

MoreCoffeeAndCake · 16/06/2023 07:13

Emma Elizabeth, but I'm biased as I have an Emma!

There's far's less Emma's than Isobel's at DDs school. Eleanor is always shortened to Ellie, IME.

SpringIntoChaos · 16/06/2023 07:10

Emma...every day of the week ♥️

TheaBrandt · 16/06/2023 06:55

Emma is rare in this generation “Izzy’s” are two a penny. Its overuse has killed that name.

Violasaremyfavourite · 16/06/2023 05:40

One of my children changed their name as a teenager. They were sick of people mispronouncing and misspelling their name. They chose a four letter name which has a very clear pronunciation. As a result I would never chose a name with multiple spellings. People also mishear my name constantly and are not sure of the spelling. It is only four letters too but an old-fashioned name not heard much these days. I have to spell my name all the time.

Have yout thought of Gemma as a name - a little bit more rare than Emma but still easy to spell?

If I had adaughter instead of sons, I'd be inclined to Verity which is rare but easy to spell.

user1492757084 · 16/06/2023 05:14

I love all your names.
With Beatrice I love ..
Emma Elizabeth
Rebecca Eleanor
Alanna Isobel
Isobel Emma - IsObee

Birdiboo · 15/06/2023 22:08

I’m actually considering Emma Beth for my little one if they are a girl! (If I can get my partner to agree to Beth as he wasn’t keen during my first pregnancy lol) So I would def pick Emma Elizabeth xx

Hadtocomment · 15/06/2023 14:52

Isobel is one of my very favourite names. But I'd hesitate as it's been so popular or versions of it have for so long.

Eleanor is quite nice. I like Elinor as a spelling. I absolutely love Nell though, so might be tempted to go for that. I also like Nora a lot.

Emma's a nice nice but I quite like a name that has shortening options. I know quite a few so it's maybe a generational thing for me with that one.

Retrievemysanity · 15/06/2023 13:07

All really lovely names. I wouldn’t worry about spelling issues, just pick the one you like the best. You’re not going to go wrong with any of them to be fair.

DuchessOfSausage · 15/06/2023 13:02

Also never underestimate the joy of having your name on personalised plastic tat - mine never was!

Mine never was and I didn't care. My name was not particularly popular in my age group but sometimes comes up (favourably) in Baby Names.