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Baby names

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

Original poster

Which spelling?

78 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!

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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?

Show quote history

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.

DramaAlpaca · 05/06/2026 16:08

Isabel is my preferred spelling.

TallulahBetty · 05/06/2026 16:05

Isabel/le.

Isobel is awful - I hate the 'sob' in the middle.

Stoicandhappy · 05/06/2026 16:04

Isabel

JuneAlready · 05/06/2026 15:58

Isabelle

i prefer it & you used it in your text.

to ME Isobel looks and sounds like a chemical isabel looks incomplete & Isabell
us just 'Is A bell'.

Nottogetapenny · 05/06/2026 15:50

My granddaughter is a Isobel, called after her great grandma who was born in Scotland.
I may be biased but I definitely thing it’s the best spelling. Traditional and simple!

Civilsociety · 05/06/2026 15:44

Isabel is the standard traditional spelling, Isobel in Scotland.

Isabelle always looks ridiculous and somewhat uneducated to me, unless you are French. It’s also not pronounced the same way.

Don’t even go there with Isabell.

FruAashild · 05/06/2026 15:38

Iseabail is the Gaelic version, or you could go with the easier to pronounce Scottish option Ishbel (think this is my favourite).

LoudPlumDog · 05/06/2026 14:31

Mines spelt Isobel, it’s one thing my Mum got right.

Rigout · 05/06/2026 13:30

Isobel or Isabel.

I’ve never seen Isabell without an e or a added on the end.

SnowFrogJelly · 05/06/2026 13:26

Isobel

Excellentsausages · 05/06/2026 13:24

Historically Isabel has been the most popular version in England (Isobel in Scotland).

Isabelle is the French version which has become very popular in the last 15 years or so all over the UK. I find the extra 'le' superfluous unless you are pronouncing it the French way, in which case the letters have a purpose.

Isabel is my favourite.

FruAashild · 05/06/2026 12:40

Isobel No1 as the Scottish/British way
Isabel if you have native Spanish speakers in the family
Isabelle if you have native French speakers in the family
Isabell if you have people who can't spell in the family