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Baby names

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Original poster

Isla or Frankie for baby girl - can’t decide

39 replies

Emmarooney · 13/09/2023 11:40

Hi there,

My Second daughter was born 2 weeks ago and we’re really struggling to decide between two names for her.
Her big sister is India (Indy) Rose

we either want to go for
Frankie Isla
or
Isla Frankie

Frankie is a nod to my late grandmother who was Frances but I don’t love the name Fran so concerned it would be shortened to that and that it is quite trendy vs timeless

Isla is popular but that doesn’t bother us so much as having 2 ‘I’ names. Not a huge deal but not ideal perhaps.

welcome people’s thoughts!!
Thanks!

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Snugglemonkey · 17/09/2023 19:41

PollyPeep · 13/09/2023 22:50

@Snugglemonkey it's weird but I hear Indian Frankie as a description - maybe because Isla has a shorter history as a name (to me), Indian Isla doesn't sound quite so descriptive!
Also funny you don't say your kids names together! How do you introduce them to people? Is it something like "This is my daughter X and my daughter X"? Or more like "These are my daughters, X is 5 and X is 7"?

I have a son and daughter, but tend to say something more like "this is x, and this little monkey/maggot/sausage depending on how she is being is y".

It only actually struck me reading this thread. And actually, their names go very well together, but I really cannot think of a time they have been x and y.

Even if I am saying about them, it is more descriptive than 2 names usually, like I have x who is whatever age, or depending on who I am speaking to, I specify they are a boy and girl, like "my wee boy is x and my daughter is y".

I would not in Ireland, but we do not live there, and they have traditional Irish names, like Gaelige ones, so sometimes here, they are unfamiliar to people.

deanbow · 14/09/2023 20:19

I'm really bored of the name Isla, really grating on me... however, it does go lovely with Indy and I much prefer it to Frankie!!

elloyellow · 13/09/2023 23:41

I'm not a fan of siblings with the same initials. Confusion with post etc.

Frances nn Frankie would be my preference

DinnaeFashYersel · 13/09/2023 23:28

Isla is lovely. Frankie is awful

continentallentil · 13/09/2023 23:23

Don’t just call her Frankie

Francesca Isla nn Frankie is nice

I like Isla but it’s been way overdone

PollyPeep · 13/09/2023 22:50

@Snugglemonkey it's weird but I hear Indian Frankie as a description - maybe because Isla has a shorter history as a name (to me), Indian Isla doesn't sound quite so descriptive!
Also funny you don't say your kids names together! How do you introduce them to people? Is it something like "This is my daughter X and my daughter X"? Or more like "These are my daughters, X is 5 and X is 7"?

CharlieBoo · 13/09/2023 21:44

There are so many Isla’s…

Frances Isla is much better, nn Frankie

DuchessOfSausage · 13/09/2023 21:02

@Snugglemonkey , really? Hmm

gettingolderbutcooler · 13/09/2023 20:49

Love Frankie ♥️♥️

Snugglemonkey · 13/09/2023 20:45

PollyPeep · 13/09/2023 14:08

I'd have agreed with you before I had two kids. But actually it's very hard to avoid saying their names together. E.g. "these are my kids X and X" or "X and X like doing X". Indi is the issue, as you identified, but I think there are ways of mitigating it. I think Indi and Isla sound nice together.

Show quote history

Indian Isla is the same as Indian Frankie though? Thoigh I have two children and I don't think I do say their names together. So I don't think either is a problem.

Daisybuttercup12345 · 13/09/2023 20:35

Indy and Isla is a bit twee.
Frankie is boyish to me. Really dislike it.
Francesca is very pretty, as is Fay.

QueeniePlumtree · 13/09/2023 20:12

Francesca is our top choice with Frankie as nn.

We had Isla as a potential middle name.

My vote is Frankie ❤️ xx

sidonie1 · 13/09/2023 16:07

Love love love Frankie - it’s cool / cute / strong

Oliotya · 13/09/2023 16:07

Frances Isla. India and Isla is too much of a mouthful and Frankie is a lovely nickname but not a "real" name imo.

KayEmAy · 13/09/2023 15:52

Team Frankie! <3

I love this as a stand alone name!

deedeexx · 13/09/2023 15:00

I love Frankie it's super cute

BigFishontheTelly · 13/09/2023 14:51

What about Ida?

pamshortsbrokenbothherlegs · 13/09/2023 14:43

I don't love Frankie as a full name but I love Frances, it's classic and classy and tbh I think Frankie is the most used nn these days, so I'd go Frances Isla and introduce her as Frankie to nip any "Frans" in the bud. (Though personally I think Fran is quite cool. 🙊)

I don't like Isla, it just feels so commonplace.

PollyPeep · 13/09/2023 14:08

Snugglemonkey · 13/09/2023 13:44

But in that case, the problem lies with the Indy name, and that is already established. It is very easy to work with. You just shout "Indy" then "Frankie". Or walk over and collect one, then walk over and collect the other. I do not see an issue.

Show quote history

I'd have agreed with you before I had two kids. But actually it's very hard to avoid saying their names together. E.g. "these are my kids X and X" or "X and X like doing X". Indi is the issue, as you identified, but I think there are ways of mitigating it. I think Indi and Isla sound nice together.

Snugglemonkey · 13/09/2023 13:44

PollyPeep · 13/09/2023 11:46

Have you said them together out loud? You'll be saying the two names together a LOT, shouting them across the playground, introducing them together etc. They either sound like you're saying "Indian Frankie" or "Indian Isla". Personally I'd go for Isla as I just couldn't unhear Indian Frankie, and worry about the small chance I met an Indian person called Frankie lol. And I think Indian isla(nd) sounds kind of cool.

Either that or you try to say the youngest first in the pairing, which won't come naturally but will avoid the issue! Then again, maybe this isn't an issue at all, and it's just me!

But in that case, the problem lies with the Indy name, and that is already established. It is very easy to work with. You just shout "Indy" then "Frankie". Or walk over and collect one, then walk over and collect the other. I do not see an issue.

ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets · 13/09/2023 13:25

There are a million Islas, and that's just in my child's school!

Frankie is lovely

mistymistymorning · 13/09/2023 13:22

@Anoushkaka that is hilarious 😂

Scruffington · 13/09/2023 13:22

Maybe it's because I'm in Scotland but there are Islas bloody everywhere here, and it's such a whiney name. Can't stand it.

I'd go for Frankie.

Theoldwoman · 13/09/2023 13:18

Frankie is a boys name to me.
I like Isla but not if you already have Indie.

Frances is my favourite girls name at present, so I would go Frances Isla.

Anoushkaka · 13/09/2023 12:49

I prefer Frances over Frankie.

Don't like Isla at all. Too many. Friends of ours called their DD Isla, unfortunately their surname is White. They didn't notice until it was pointed out to them. They changed her name when she was four months old.