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Baby names

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

Original poster

Isobel or Elspeth or?

38 replies

portopal · 30/07/2025 11:42

We are a Scottish / English couple living in Scotland and looking for a name for a girl. Currently between these two, probably leaning slightly towards Isobel. Can anyone help (or offer any more suggestions?). We also like Eilidh and Ailsa but these are family names already. Thanks in advance!

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user2848502016 · 01/08/2025 21:50

Isobel is lovely, that’s the nicest one on your list although I do like Elspeth

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 01/08/2025 21:12

Elsbeth - there are just too many Isobel/Isabel/lsabelle/Isabellas, lovely though it is… saying that there are also a billion Ellie/Ella/Elsa/Elsies, which is probably what an Elsbeth will end up being called, unless you impose Beth or Bess

I think you should consider Ishbel though - it’s so underused

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with another ah ending

Iona
Arabella
Ida
Alexandra (Sandie!)

(I love Flora)

RaraRachael · 31/07/2025 13:06

@MiddlingMarch NE here and it's always pronounced Izibill.
Isobel has always been the spelling here, not Isabel or Isabelle. It was very popular in the 60s but haven't taught an Isobel for years.

MiddlingMarch · 31/07/2025 12:44

I like Isobel but my west coast family always said it so that it rhymed with visible.

Isabelle is softer imo.

Ishbel also lovely.

Elspeth I love.

Morven? I knew a few growing up but none since the 1990s really.

luckylavender · 31/07/2025 12:38

i love both but Isobel will face a life of being mis spelt

ScotsMum2 · 31/07/2025 12:35

I have a little Isobel and we are in Scotland - it is not common here (I have not come across any other Isobel's of a similar age, or any of the variants that I think are more common in England) - just to reassure. I think on the NRS baby name list, all variants were much less common than in England.

LivingTheDreamish · 30/07/2025 23:59

Isobel is lovely and nice with Flora.

dazzlingdeborahrose · 30/07/2025 23:35

I like both but as my daughter is an Isobel I’m biased. Be prepared though. You will never find a water bottle, a key ring or any other named item witn that spelling on it.

redriding1976 · 30/07/2025 23:30

Flora ❤️

IamNotBeingUnreasonable · 30/07/2025 23:21

Isobel, definitely.

schoolsoutforever · 30/07/2025 23:19

I much prefer Elspeth to all of the others mentioned. I love the name Morven as an alternative.

I am a teacher and think Isobel is lovely but at least 2/3 in every class, and as an Emma of the 70s I wouldn't.

LucasBuck · 30/07/2025 23:04

Isobel is such a stunner - very elegant. However I do love Flora and Elspeth as a sibset - for some reason I get the image of two little Victorian girls with ringlets in pinafores getting up to mischief! So sorry, no help 🤣 My fave Scots name for girls is Lorna but I think it’s considered dated now (though I don’t think 2 “ah” name endings matter - lots of siblings have that).

RuthW · 30/07/2025 20:33

Elspeth. There are far too many Isobels or similar under 16.

RaraRachael · 30/07/2025 16:39

Not fond of Elspeth as it reminds me of old ladies when I was growing up in the 60s.
Isobel is ok depending on the pronunciation. Where I live it's "Izzibill" which doesn't sound nice to me but if the "bel" is pronounced it's fine.

Hilbil212001 · 30/07/2025 16:37

My mum was born in 1940 and was called Elspeth and absolutely hated it her whole life - because it was old fashioned lol. I like Elsie.

Mumofgirls2017 · 30/07/2025 16:27

Both nice I like Elspeth as don’t hear it as often. Other ideas…

annabel
iona
imogen
eliza
martha
esther
eloise
helena
eleanor
astrid
juliet

SaulHudsonDavidJones · 30/07/2025 15:42

Elspeth reminds me of the green witch in Wicked (Elphaba??)

Emanwenym · 30/07/2025 15:39

We think it rules out other names ending in A?
It rules out names like Cora and Laura. Something like Cressida, Tabitha or Anna would be fine.

The penultimate syllable would need to not have a long stressed vowel.

Flora and Rhona - a bit rhymey
Flora and Matilda - ok

Do you like Martha or Jennifer?

Pick a name you love. The names don't need to match.

Moreteaandchocolate · 30/07/2025 14:50

portopal · 30/07/2025 12:14

@MiddleAgedDread and @Moreteaandchocolate we actually already have a Flora (I forgot to mention!) but pleased to see it recommended. We think it rules out other names ending in A?

I wouldn’t say it rules out other names ending in a, it’s more important to choose your favourite name than for it to flow perfectly with her sister’s name, imo.

Jdkaksbd · 30/07/2025 14:26

Imogen

Lucienandjean · 30/07/2025 14:22

I know a little girl called Rhona and I think it’s a lovely name.

Matzoballs · 30/07/2025 14:17

Elspeth is so ugly, saying is sounds like you have a lisp. Isobel is so much nicer.

MiddleAgedDread · 30/07/2025 13:28

Oh Flora and Isabel is perfect!
Flo & Izzy

Fly1ngG1raffe · 30/07/2025 13:03

I love Isobel (with that spelling).
I also really like
Isla
Iona
Lorna

I was tempted by the name Heather, not sure the name is Scottish as such but certainly Scottish connotations.

JaneEyre40 · 30/07/2025 13:00

portopal · 30/07/2025 11:42

We are a Scottish / English couple living in Scotland and looking for a name for a girl. Currently between these two, probably leaning slightly towards Isobel. Can anyone help (or offer any more suggestions?). We also like Eilidh and Ailsa but these are family names already. Thanks in advance!

Vivienne nn Vivie