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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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abracabarbara · 30/07/2025 12:50

Isobel and Elspeth are both lovely, but I'd go for Elspeth because its less used nowadays ( probably due a huge comeback!)

I also love Mairi and Shona.

BoleynMemories13 · 30/07/2025 12:46

I like both, but I prefer Izzy to Elsie so I'd go for Isobel.

caramac04 · 30/07/2025 12:36

I really like Elspeth but as I would likely shorten the name I’m less drawn to it. I wouldn’t want to call dc Else.
Isobel is lovely and I like both Izzy and Belle.

Squishymallows · 30/07/2025 12:36

Eliza?

WhatColourTiles · 30/07/2025 12:34

Hazel
Heather
Morven
Mirren

miniaturepixieonacid · 30/07/2025 12:30

I love Isobel - massively prefer it to Elspeth but I don't dislike Elspeth.

However, I think I prefer Eilidh and Ailsa to both of them. Ailsa in particular I think is gorgeous - so pretty and underused. I knew one when I was little - a pair of Scottish sisters called Ailsa and Iona which I also think is really lovely. I think Flora and Ailsa are fine together and don't see the need to avoid an A name. How close is your family member called Ailsa? Maybe they'd be honoured if you used it too!

Those 6 Scottish names already mentioned make up most of the ones I know, to be honest. Err - Catriona? Morag? (I actually don't like that but I know it's Scottish!) Fiona? Sheona? Mairi? I suspect they're all a bit 90s, aren't they!

Original poster
portopal · 30/07/2025 12:16

So far Elspeth seems more divisive which is true to real life opinions as well… We definitely like Isobel as a safe option and actually haven’t met any other Isobel / Isabel / Isabelle / Isabellas at all, despite the popularity

OP posts:
Original poster
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?

OP posts:
Emanwenym · 30/07/2025 12:11

Elspeth. Isabella and Isabelle are too popular.
Ishbel is nice.
Scottish girls' names

Cheeseplantandcrackers · 30/07/2025 12:01

I love Elspeth. Very underused.

I also love Edith, Vianne and Agnes.

Hdpr · 30/07/2025 11:56

not Elspeth, sorry but I think it’s an ugly name. Isobel is lovely and classic but popular.

Moreteaandchocolate · 30/07/2025 11:54

Isobel is lovely (probably the most popular name round here though, with all the spelling variations)

Elspeth is lovely too and I rarely hear it (but I’m not in Scotland).

Do you like -

Maisie
Mirren
Elsie
Flora
Sorcha

MiddleAgedDread · 30/07/2025 11:54

I prefer Isobel to Elspeth, it's just not a name I can imagine being used for a baby! Maybe my perception is skewed as I only know older ones.
Isla
Iona
Flora
Freya
Lorna
Catriona
Mhairi

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