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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To name my daughter Isobel?

228 replies

rosepetalsoup · 20/02/2015 10:13

Ok, I have done some soul searching and realised that I have got out of touch with what names I actually like through trying to find one that's 'different'. If I am honest one of my favourite names has always been Isobel.

I understand that it is very popular, but just wanted to ask those of you with children in the 0-7 category how many you actually meet through school and so on.

Thanks.

OP posts:
myotherusernameisbetter · 20/02/2015 13:44

I like it, I'm only aware of one young one - about age 11, her parents are Scottish though they are now in England.

I also like Eleanor or Lillian which have a similar vibe.

MagratsHair · 20/02/2015 13:44

My grandmother was Isabella, in DS2's class (Year 1 so he is 5) there is an Isabella, an Isobel & an Arabella.

wednesdaysocks · 20/02/2015 13:45

I have an Isobel- she's two, we live in the South east and so far I haven't come across another one.

NobodyLivesHere · 20/02/2015 13:46

I know 2.
How about Annabel, Ivy, Iris.

hamptoncourt · 20/02/2015 13:48

Oh dear, I wouldn't choose it because the most awful human being I have ever met is called that name (sorry!)

However, I work as a teacher in the South East and don't come across that many, so if it is just the fact she would be known as Isobel R alongside other Isobels then maybe that's not as high a risk as you might imagine?

To be honest I always think best policy is to choose a name and then don't discuss it with anyone as you will always find someone like me to put you off it.

TonyThePony · 20/02/2015 13:51

Nobody I have ever met agrees but I love the name Mabel, though I do tend to favour old fashioned names.

Isobel's a lovely name and there's no guarantee of what names are going to remain/become popular. If you love it, go for it.

longestlurkerever · 20/02/2015 13:53

The thing is I have come across two Irises and two Elspeths as well as plenty of the other alternatives suggested and it would be kind of annoying to go with your second-choice on this ground alone and then find there were duplicates anyway.

Jacana · 20/02/2015 13:56

Love the name Isobel and that was going to what our child would be called. In the event, it didn't seem to fit our little boy at allGrin

Original poster
rosepetalsoup · 20/02/2015 13:56

My DH loves Mabel too Tony! I can't get my head round it, but salute you.

OP posts:
crje · 20/02/2015 13:59

Don't know any Isobel
Know lots of Ella's & Annabelles

SnowKitty14 · 20/02/2015 14:06

I have an Isobel. She is 12 now and we have never come across another one yet. A few Isabels and Isabellas but they are not the same. It is really hard to find anything with her name on so must be fairly rare! OH is Scottish, which is partly why we have that spelling. The name was chosen long before she was thought of. If my son had been a girl, then he would be an Isobel. He is 18. I think it is a lovely name - but then I am biased!

33goingon64 · 20/02/2015 14:07

I know about 6 Isobels (various spellings) of DS's age (3 ish). But if you like it, use it. Just don't be surprised if she's not the only one in her class. We went for one of the most popular boy's names and he was one of 4 in his class. We didn't care - otherwise we would have chosen something more unusual.

squoosh · 20/02/2015 14:07

But surely Isabel is to all intents and purposes the same name as Isobel?

SolasEile · 20/02/2015 14:11

Had the same dilemma when I was pregnant with DD as I love the name, specifically the Isobel spelling as DH is Scottish but was worried it would be the Jennifer of its time. So I went with a Scots-Gaelic name instead, bit unusual since we live I the US but the name seems to fit DD and we regularly get compliments on it. We picked a very classic middle name after her great-grandmother though so she could always use that if she gets tired of spelling her first name.

I have an Irish name but a very classic universal name (my grandmother's) as my middle name so when in Starbucks etc I use that to make my life easier!

Could you use Isobel just as a middle name and pick something a bit more unusual as her first name?

Sallystyle · 20/02/2015 14:12

I remember when I had my Evie, the midwife said how unusual it was Grin Now we can't go anywhere without meeting another Evie. It doesn't bother me though as it is still a lovely name.

I love the name Isobel; it is beautiful.

MeganChips · 20/02/2015 14:14

I have an Isobel. I had loved the name for years, I didn't look at any of the baby name lists because there were no other choices as far as I was concerned.

It's cool and pretty and she suits it. Calls herself Izzie (has to be with an ie!) though.

We only know one other, it happens to be her best friend who is an Isabel.

I had a bit of a surprise when I realised it was so popular but it doesn't bother me. I have a common name and am always strangely drawn to people with the same name as me!

Honsandrevels · 20/02/2015 14:15

I met someone the other day daughter is 3 and is one of four girls called Annabel in her nursery class! I've not met any under 30. He was from the other side of the country so it just goes to show it is v regional.

I know.lots of Emilys, Ellies, Ellas, Evies, Eve, Jessicas but only one Isabella.

Sixgeese · 20/02/2015 14:16

I have an Isabel, there are two in her year. In my elder DD year there are another two, and many more in the school. DD1 has a name which is very similar to three others in her class (short version the same) and DS has the same name as another on his year. I think I have very common taste in names.

Isabel is the worst though, everywhere we go, we call her and half a dozen girls look around or ask their parents why am I calling them. If I had realised before hand we wouldn't have named her it.

SugarplumKate · 20/02/2015 14:20

I have children from age 3 to 14, and only know 1 - an Isabel (mum is Spanish).

Allice · 20/02/2015 14:20

I have a 10 yr old Isobel, she was at a small all girl until a couple of years ago, there were 18 in the class and 4 Hannah's and 3 Olivia's. Don't recall there being any other Isobel's/Isabelle's in the school.

I work at her smallish school now (about 200 kids, coed) there are 4 in the whole school but I think 2 of them are Isabelle's.

QTPie · 20/02/2015 14:25

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

EeB00 · 20/02/2015 14:30

There are 2 in my son's class (age 5).

My son has a popular name and it is kind of annoying /weird that he keeps meeting other children with his name, including his best friend. I love the name and it fits him so well, so I don't regret it. It bothers me a bit, but really it's not a big thing in the grand scheme of life. We had an alternative (much less common) name lined up, but we agreed as soon as we saw him that he just wasn't that name at all! But if I was in your position, I would try to hunt for a different name that was a bit more unusual, and if you can't find one, just enjoy your little Isobel.

MajesticWhine · 20/02/2015 14:32

Christabel is a good alternative. And really unusual, it's nowhere on the popularity lists. She could still be Bell or Bella if she wanted.

0ddsocks · 20/02/2015 14:36

My DD is a three year old Isabel and I only know of one other

ShadowSpiral · 20/02/2015 15:03

If you love Isobel I don't think you should let the popularity put you off. It varies regionally anyway so may not be super popular where you are.

There's only one Issabella (only time I've seen it spelt with 2 s's) at the DC's nursery, no Isobel / Isabel's. Katie is the most popular girl's name by far at the nursery, then Annabel / Annabelle is the next most popular.

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