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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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cptartapp · 11/06/2023 19:37

Emma Elizabeth
My name can be spelt several different ways and it's annoying tbh. Even family members still get it wrong.
Love Eleanor but detest Ellie so would avoid.
Don't like Isobel.

Singleandproud · 11/06/2023 19:23

Emma is very safe, doesn't rhyme with anything, easy to spell, easy to get personalised tat children love, works for all ages, no direct pop culture links just a solid name.

Isobel is nice but will always be spelt differently/wrong. Can be shortened to Izzy/ Belle. It's very feminine and doesn't work great if your child grows up more Tom boyish. Very popular at the minute.

Eleanor has pronunciation and spelling issues and Ellie is incredibly popular right now.

I'll throw Imogen into the ring, it's a similar type of name but only one spelling / pronunciation. Can be shortened to Immy or Gen.

NameChange30 · 11/06/2023 19:17

Unless the relative is a neice (ie same generation as your DD), Emma, by a million miles.

Not with Elizabeth as a middle name, though. Too alliterative. Emma Isobel would be lovely.

Grumpyfroghats · 11/06/2023 19:17

I like Eleanor. Classic name with good connotations. A few nickname options (Ellie, El, Nelly, Nell) but also short enough not to need a nickname.

I like Isobel too though you definitely would have spelling issues

midsomermurderess · 11/06/2023 19:14

Eleanor is my favourite. I like Nell for a shortening.

Cheeseplantt · 11/06/2023 18:31

Definitely Emma Elizabeth

Original poster
Vexxa · 11/06/2023 18:30

Interesting, thank you! Emma was on my list from the start but I worried it was too close to a relative's name, Gemma. My DH says I'm overthinking it 🤣

OP posts:
Rainbowqueeen · 11/06/2023 15:18

Emma Elizabeth.

DuchessOfSausage · 11/06/2023 15:14

Emma by miles.
Eleanor - the EL-in-uh vs Elin-OR issue, Eleanor/Elena/E;inor, will be another Ellie
Isobel - Isabelle and Isabel far too popular. Will be Izzy. Isobel spelling makes me think of Isobar

Emma was very popular about 30 yrs ago but still seems a classic

dizzydizzydizzy · 11/06/2023 14:55

My name is continuously misspelled despite it being a common name and my spelling being by far the most common spelling. It really isn't the end of the world. I wouldn't use it as the main reason to avoid a name you really like.

FWIW, my fave out of your suggestions is Emma Elizabeth but all your suggestions are fine.