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Baby names

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

Original poster

Emma or Isla for our baby girl?

64 replies

stardust1994 · 11/07/2026 20:02

Emma or Isla for my baby girl?

I’ve always loved the name Isla but worry it’s just too over done now. I know Emma has been historically popular but less so now (80 something in the recent rankings).

With middle names they would be:
Emma Catherine Anne
Isla Catherine Anne

Brothers are Alexander and James but called Alex and Jamie day to day. Surname is fairly uncommon.

Would love your opinions! Popularity doesn’t hugely bother me to a point but I’d ideally rather she wasn’t one of 5 in a primary school class.

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menopausequeen · 14/07/2026 21:56

Isla

ButtercupYellow26 · 14/07/2026 21:50

I like both names but would choose Emma.

DaisyChain505 · 14/07/2026 20:43

Emma is beautifully classic, Isla is just every where you turn at the moment.

Shinyhappyapple · 14/07/2026 20:41

I like both

ExplodingSmittens · 14/07/2026 20:12

NamingNoNames · 12/07/2026 19:18

Less common because it's dreadful. Emmeline is ok.

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I do actually know an Emmaline. Always presumed her DPs had issues with spelling Grin

NamingNoNames · 14/07/2026 14:53

Kitchenbattle · 14/07/2026 14:41

@NamingNoNames 😅 what has Muhammad got to do with it? 🧐

Nothing other than the popularity of the name is regional.
I could say 'Muhammad isn't overused, there has never been one in any of the schools my DC went to.' It doesn't mean the name isn't popular, it just means the name isn't popular in my area.

Kitchenbattle · 14/07/2026 14:41

@NamingNoNames 😅 what has Muhammad got to do with it? 🧐

NamingNoNames · 14/07/2026 13:30

@Kitchenbattle, She has just started, she was the only Isla in her primary too tbh…also she only knows of one other in our town Muhammad is the 34th most popular boy's name in Wales. In England & Wales combined it's the most popular name.

@Worldcuproadshow , I'm not keen on Iona. It seems like a long, whiny name for so few letters, and it sounds like 'I own a'. It's popular in Wales, or was about 60 years ago, but is a different name with the same spelling and pronounced Yonna (rhymes with Donna).

Kitchenbattle · 14/07/2026 09:46

FunnyOrca · 13/07/2026 21:39

The Islas haven’t hit secondary age yet. They are so numerous. They are the new Olivia. I had 3 in my Nursery class last year.

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She has just started, she was the only Isla in her primary too tbh…also she only knows of one other in our town

Worldcuproadshow · 14/07/2026 08:05

I prefer Iona to Isla as it's less common, I've only come across 1 Iona in my lifetime.

I've met plenty of Isla's and Emma's.

BeaLola · 13/07/2026 23:01

Emma
emma
emma

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 13/07/2026 22:15

Emma

Too many little Islas (and Eves)

FunnyOrca · 13/07/2026 21:39

Kitchenbattle · 11/07/2026 20:09

I suppose it entirely depends on where you are…my dd is the only Isla in her secondary school (nearly 600 girls in her school) lots of Emma’s though.

The Islas haven’t hit secondary age yet. They are so numerous. They are the new Olivia. I had 3 in my Nursery class last year.

Firebird83 · 12/07/2026 21:22

Emma. Isla is overused and just feels like a default “born in the 2020s” name now, along with Ava and Mia.

Shhhhitsmagic · 12/07/2026 21:08

I love Emma! A strong, classic name that won't age. Congratulations!

17caterpillars1mouse · 12/07/2026 21:03

Emma feels more classical to matxh your boys names. Isla feels more faddy / will probably date

ErrolTheDragon · 12/07/2026 20:02

I booked a table at a Green King pub a few days ago, the phone was answered in a Scottish accent by an Isla…turned out to be a ‘digital assistant’. 😂

Original poster
stardust1994 · 12/07/2026 19:56

It won’t be Catherine or Anne as they have been chosen for middle names as they are family names.

OP posts:
theearlyyears · 12/07/2026 19:49

Emma! Islas are everywhere.

bittertwisted · 12/07/2026 19:49

My name is Emma 😂
it’s an easy name to have
just don’t call her Emma Louise. Like every single Emma of my generation

Calliopespa · 12/07/2026 19:45

SkippitySkoppity · 11/07/2026 20:44

Emma.

I have such an aversion to the name Isla.

I really don't like Isla either. And it is soooo overused.

But Emma is a little bland, and seems to be back in fashion. What about Emmeline, Emma for short?

Or just go with Catherine or Anne?

LittleRobins · 12/07/2026 19:23

Emma for me too, never been keen on Isla.

PancakeCloud · 12/07/2026 19:22

Emma is a timeless classic. It’s also a lovely name

NamingNoNames · 12/07/2026 19:18

Imtempted · 11/07/2026 23:16

I’m an Emma, 80s baby. Another version less common is Emmaline

Less common because it's dreadful. Emmeline is ok.

DustyBins · 12/07/2026 04:19

Emma - it's a lovely classic name.