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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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Wynter25 · 12/07/2026 04:18

Emma x

shiningcuckoo · 12/07/2026 04:11

Both are nice. Prefer Emma though. Have you considered Ailsa?

DramaAlpaca · 12/07/2026 03:04

Emma; it's my favourite name and I had all boys so couldn't use it.

It's a classic name so goes better with your boys' names than Isla, which while very pretty is a bit faddy and will date.

LivingTheDreamish · 12/07/2026 02:29

I like both names very much, but for some reason prefer Isla with your boy names. I think it might be because Alex and Jamie are classics, and Emma is a classic, but Isla isn't. So it feels fresher alongside the boy's names.

I think you have to take popularity out of it because at the end of the day it doesn't matter.

Harrietsaunt · 12/07/2026 00:35

Emma

Fifthtimelucky · 12/07/2026 00:32

I prefer Emma, but I like Catherine more and think it would go better with Alexander and James.

Catherine Emma Anne sounds good to me.

DaisyMayBojangles · 11/07/2026 23:38

Emma.. really not a fan of Isla

Autumngirl5 · 11/07/2026 23:18

I love the name Emma. Isla is far too popular and overdone.

thereisnomeaning · 11/07/2026 23:18

Emma. It's a lovely name and Isla has become very common.

Rothburypixie · 11/07/2026 23:17

Emma is nice, but I do prefer Isla, I wouldn’t personally care that it’s popular but if you do then Emma is still a lovely name

user293948849167 · 11/07/2026 23:17

Emma

Imtempted · 11/07/2026 23:16

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

Berlinlover · 11/07/2026 23:14

Emma

Giraffehaver · 11/07/2026 23:08

Emma is perfect with your boys and is such a lovely warm name

Original poster
stardust1994 · 11/07/2026 20:55

@SkippitySkoppity - that makes sense, thank you!

OP posts:
SkippitySkoppity · 11/07/2026 20:51

stardust1994 · 11/07/2026 20:47

Thanks @SkippitySkoppity, any reason why?

and Thanks @hyggetyggedotorg - yep, guilty! I should have just edited the original post but couldn’t be bothered to find it. Thanks for your opinion x

I live in Scotland and Isla is just ubiquitous here. I think it's this generation's Lisa. Same letters, different formation, and just as wildly popular as Lisa was in the 70s.

Original poster
stardust1994 · 11/07/2026 20:47

Thanks @SkippitySkoppity, any reason why?

and Thanks @hyggetyggedotorg - yep, guilty! I should have just edited the original post but couldn’t be bothered to find it. Thanks for your opinion x

OP posts:
hyggetyggedotorg · 11/07/2026 20:46

Have you also posted this as Emma vs Eve?

If so, I repeat my thoughts. As an Emma it’s the most boring name to ever exist. So Isla.

OhBettyCalmDown · 11/07/2026 20:46

iloveanearlynight · 11/07/2026 20:08

Islas. Also loads of Emmas!

Show quote history

Must be an area thing. I only know a couple of Emma’s and both over 30. Must be a dozen kids called Isla in my kids school.

SkippitySkoppity · 11/07/2026 20:44

Emma.

I have such an aversion to the name Isla.

Iocanepowder · 11/07/2026 20:32

stardust1994 · 11/07/2026 20:20

Thanks all. @Iocanepowder - yeah, Emma was one of the top names of my generation which is what put me off initially but it seems much less common now.

Isla was my top choice a few years ago when I had the boys but I’m becoming more keen on Emma because it’s less popular, although I realise neither is unpopular.

Edited

Yes, Emma is my best friend’s name but I know far more little Islas currently.

PrincessOfPreschool · 11/07/2026 20:27

Emma. Goes so well with your other names too

Original poster
stardust1994 · 11/07/2026 20:20

Thanks all. @Iocanepowder - yeah, Emma was one of the top names of my generation which is what put me off initially but it seems much less common now.

Isla was my top choice a few years ago when I had the boys but I’m becoming more keen on Emma because it’s less popular, although I realise neither is unpopular.

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 11/07/2026 20:12

iloveanearlynight · 11/07/2026 20:09

I find Emma utterly dull I'm afraid. Not keen on Isla. I prefer Elsa.

You’ll probably have to let it go.

minipoodlemum · 11/07/2026 20:12

Islas or Emmas - both pretty names but FFS drop the apostrophe 😀 I would go for Emma personally