Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Which spelling?

90 replies

SquareSweetsThatLookRound · 05/06/2026 06:35

We are going to use Isabelle as a middle name but not married to any particular spelling yet. Which one do people like the most? Does it also depend on the first name?
Isobel
Isabelle
Isabel
Isabell

Thank you everyone!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Lulu1919 · 06/06/2026 08:49

Isobel

Civilsociety · 06/06/2026 08:33

timoteigirl · 06/06/2026 08:03

I said "it made me think" so how can that be inaccurate.

English version of Isabella is Elizabeth.

Edited

No. It’s Isabel.

All the Isabel variants are different European versions of the Hebrew name Elizabeth.

Amiacoolorwarmcolour · 06/06/2026 08:15

Isobel is the traditional Scottish spelling.
I believe Isabelle is the French spelling?
It’s derived from Elizabeth, or more precisely the Hebrew spelling of Elizabeth.
Timeless and classic.

Amiacoolorwarmcolour · 06/06/2026 08:08

I like Isobel
lovely name whichever spelling you go with,

timoteigirl · 06/06/2026 08:03

Civilsociety · 05/06/2026 23:24

I don’t think that’s right at all.

And Isolde / Iseult is an unrelated name.

I said "it made me think" so how can that be inaccurate.

English version of Isabella is Elizabeth.

Civilsociety · 05/06/2026 23:24

timoteigirl · 05/06/2026 20:39

Scottish royalty / noble origin women from 900 years ago. Isabelle and Isabella are more Spanish whereas Isobel is Scottish. It makes me think of Isolde / Iseult from Tristan & Isolde.

I don’t think that’s right at all.

And Isolde / Iseult is an unrelated name.

Pemba · 05/06/2026 22:29

timoteigirl · 05/06/2026 20:39

Scottish royalty / noble origin women from 900 years ago. Isabelle and Isabella are more Spanish whereas Isobel is Scottish. It makes me think of Isolde / Iseult from Tristan & Isolde.

That's not accurate actually. Yes Isobel is Scottish but Isabel is both Spanish and English. Isabelle is French and I think Isabella is Italian maybe.

viques · 05/06/2026 22:29

Isabel.

not Isabell

Groaaan · 05/06/2026 22:26

Isobel

Giraffehaver · 05/06/2026 22:20

Isobel is so clean elegant and not over frilly

sanityisamyth · 05/06/2026 20:58

Isabelle

Ohgoose · 05/06/2026 20:55

Isobel or Isabel (prefer with an o.

Really don’t like the belle ending.

Firebird83 · 05/06/2026 20:54

Depends on the first name, but generally I prefer Isobel.

timoteigirl · 05/06/2026 20:39

Civilsociety · 05/06/2026 20:29

Why do you think the first one is more historical?

Scottish royalty / noble origin women from 900 years ago. Isabelle and Isabella are more Spanish whereas Isobel is Scottish. It makes me think of Isolde / Iseult from Tristan & Isolde.

rollerblind · 05/06/2026 20:38

Isobel

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 05/06/2026 20:33

I would say Isobel then Isabel.

Civilsociety · 05/06/2026 20:29

timoteigirl · 05/06/2026 20:10

Last one weird and never come across. Love the first one as seems more historical. Both middle ones okay.

Why do you think the first one is more historical?

timoteigirl · 05/06/2026 20:10

Last one weird and never come across. Love the first one as seems more historical. Both middle ones okay.

wanderingwillows · 05/06/2026 16:54

Isabelle definitely!

muddyford · 05/06/2026 16:47

Isobel

PurpleReindeer2 · 05/06/2026 16:38

Isabelle then Isobel

PatsFishTank · 05/06/2026 16:36

Isobel or Isabel.

Isabelle is fussy.

Isabell is spelt wrong.

Civilsociety · 05/06/2026 16:34

Sassylovesbooks · 05/06/2026 16:18

It depends if you want to emphasise the pronunciation with an 'a' or an 'o'. Isa or Iso...the rest of the letters are personal preference. My way would be Isabelle or Isobel.

No, Isabelle is pronounced differently- with the stress on the “belle”.

SuchGreatFun · 05/06/2026 16:30

NamingNoNames · 05/06/2026 10:51

Not RTFT.

Isobel - strangely popular on MN. I think it's a bit stern-sounding and frumpy
Isabelle - a bit too frilly
Isabel - best spelling
Isabell - looks like a typo

I'd pick a different name.

Exactly this

Sassylovesbooks · 05/06/2026 16:18

It depends if you want to emphasise the pronunciation with an 'a' or an 'o'. Isa or Iso...the rest of the letters are personal preference. My way would be Isabelle or Isobel.

Swipe left for the next trending thread