Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Lara or Isabelle?

77 replies

MKWarrier · 02/03/2024 16:40

DH and I had an original shortlist of names that I posted on here before. Of those names, I love Alice and also really like Jessica.

DH has now decided he doesn’t really like Alice and feels a bit meh about Jessica. He likes Lara and Isabelle (we haven’t discussed spelling of the latter, so it’s more about the sound of the name at this point rather than which version).

What are people’s thoughts on Lara and Isabelle? I like the sound of both, I’m just worried about the overall popularity of L names and Isabelle/Isabella at the moment. I don’t have a popular name, so I’m unsure how annoying it would be for DD to share a name / have a similar name to others in her class. Are these names just a bit meh?

We’ve been through the name lists so many times, and as our taste is quite classic, it’s unlikely we’re going to uncover a new name we both love at this point, so I think it’s going to be a case of one of us getting on board with the other’s ideas. DH has historically been the one to compromise on other unrelated issues, so I feel a bit like it’s my turn to compromise over this!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
celestebellman · 05/03/2024 07:38

Lara - definitely. Very international and makes me think of Dr Zhivago.

Therr are multiple Isabelle variants in my dd's
year at school, mostly shortened to Izzy, so I find it extremely dull. It is on a downward trend, but beyond school and into adulthood she would be one of multiple Isabel's in other environments eg work, and many would be older than her - so may end up being a name that sounds a bit older than her actual age.

TheSparkofCreation · 05/03/2024 07:37

If you don't like Lara or Isabelle then I'd go back to Alice. It will grow on your DH once his daughter is named Alice.

IamaRevenant · 05/03/2024 07:27

Not a fan of Isabelle - it's too frilly, too popular and there are so many variations.

I like Lara but I agree it's maybe a bit weak sounding. I prefer Cara (or Cora?). Don't really like Clara as suggested by PPs, to me it sounds like the name of a harsh headmistress in a twinset, no idea why 😅 (and sorry to all Claras/parents of Claras!)

Shame your DH has gone off Alice, I love it - strong but feminine! Jess is also lovely for the same reason but not keen on Jessica (again, too long and frilly). I met a Jess with full name Jessamyn recently which I liked but might sound a bit made up?

Others I like that you might too - Georgia, Emma (though as a classic it's maybe a bit too popular... Emmaline is nice?), Francesca (Frankie), Jocelyn (Joss), Seren, Rowan...?

FayCarew · 05/03/2024 07:19

I prefer Laura and Elizabeth. They seem to have more substance.

boonr · 05/03/2024 06:59

Oh I love Isabelle!

You didn't mention these but how about Violet or Eliza

YourLocal · 05/03/2024 06:46

Flippingfruitflies · 05/03/2024 04:28

I have an Isabelle but she usually gets Izzy. She is a bit of a tomboy and Izzy just seems to suit her more. She’s the only one in her school. Not keen on Lara. Laura is prettier imo.

Exactly my thoughts

Flippingfruitflies · 05/03/2024 04:28

I have an Isabelle but she usually gets Izzy. She is a bit of a tomboy and Izzy just seems to suit her more. She’s the only one in her school. Not keen on Lara. Laura is prettier imo.

TrainsPlanesAutos · 05/03/2024 03:12

SometimesIchangemyname · 02/03/2024 21:00

Both dull and overused but Lara less so. It feels weak to me though. Just a short pretty name with no solidity.

Agreed.

Onelife2024 · 04/03/2024 09:32

MKWarrier · 04/03/2024 08:27

Thank you all for your feedback and suggestions. Some interesting food for thought here. I’m still quite unsure so may just end up putting both names in a hat and getting DD1 to pick one!

DH said yesterday he doesn’t want me compromising on a name I’m not 100% about and he’s sure we can find a name together that we are both happy with, so the options may not be restricted to these choices (though sadly Alice is probably still out of consideration) but I’m definitely not discounting these two either. Naming a child is such a minefield!

Other ideas if you’re still undecided -

Eliza
Lucy
Imogen
Harriet
Annabel
Helena
Caroline
Georgia
Clara
Madeleine
Louisa
Eloise
Abigail
Leonie

fightingthedogforadonut · 04/03/2024 08:28

Lara is one of my favs. Timeless, beautiful and not frilly.

Isabelle is overdone IMO.

Original poster
MKWarrier · 04/03/2024 08:27

Thank you all for your feedback and suggestions. Some interesting food for thought here. I’m still quite unsure so may just end up putting both names in a hat and getting DD1 to pick one!

DH said yesterday he doesn’t want me compromising on a name I’m not 100% about and he’s sure we can find a name together that we are both happy with, so the options may not be restricted to these choices (though sadly Alice is probably still out of consideration) but I’m definitely not discounting these two either. Naming a child is such a minefield!

OP posts:
PickledScrump · 04/03/2024 06:37

@SemperIdem there was loads around me, most were older than me so born around the 80s and yes I’m in the UK. By my year group Laura was more popular though, I only know of one younger than me.

Neolara · 04/03/2024 00:04

I have a late teens Lara. I've only ever met one other Lara, so it's really not been popular in the last 20 years.

SemperIdem · 03/03/2024 23:58

PickledScrump · 03/03/2024 23:23

I have an Isabelle, always get compliments on her name and she loves it too. Definitely the nicest spelling

I don’t like Lara at all, was popular in the 80s so feels quite dated, also all the ones I’ve met haven’t been particularly nice. Often used to get called Laura instead of Lara.

Where was Lara popular in the 80’s, it wasn’t a commonly used name for that decade in the UK?

Rainydayinlondon · 03/03/2024 23:32

Lara… the beautiful woman in Dr Zhivago!

PickledScrump · 03/03/2024 23:23

I have an Isabelle, always get compliments on her name and she loves it too. Definitely the nicest spelling

I don’t like Lara at all, was popular in the 80s so feels quite dated, also all the ones I’ve met haven’t been particularly nice. Often used to get called Laura instead of Lara.

SemperIdem · 03/03/2024 22:55

Isabelle in all its forms is done to death. Not so much as Olivia but close.

Lara is less commonly heard, without being too out there. Travels well. Less clunky than the similar sounding Clara and Laura.

LauderSyme · 03/03/2024 22:13

What a shame your dh went off Alice, it was a popular contender!

Isobel spelt like that has always been a favourite of mine but Lara is very dull, I'm afraid.

Althea
Alvara
Arabella
Christabel
Delice
Delores
Xenia

almostthere75 · 03/03/2024 22:09

Melissa.

I love it ,but it will be shortened unfortunately

lalalaheyhey111 · 03/03/2024 22:00

I have a dd called Lara, I also love Cara, Clara and Tara.

Newsenmum · 03/03/2024 21:50

I prefer Clara though. Would dh like that?

Newsenmum · 03/03/2024 21:49

Isabelle sounds nice but it is very popular and personally I really dislike the sound of Izzy (which she was inevitably be called). Therefore I’d choose Lara. Make sure the middle name is something you love though. You’re going to be going through labour!

MillenialAvocado · 03/03/2024 21:45

Lara is a lovely name and heard much less often than Isabelle (which I'm not keen on)

Scrumbleton · 03/03/2024 21:30

Both lovely names. I prefer Lara - i know a lovely Lara

Echobelly · 03/03/2024 21:28

I'd go for Lara, Isabelle is pretty but it's pretty ubiquitous, I know so many Isabelles between about 10-18, although maybe it has fallen away in recent year as it was so popular.