Isobel

[raininginbaltimore]

This is one of my favourite from our short list. But I am worried that it is popular. My name was most popular when I was born and it was annoying having so many in a class at school.

But I love the name. Also worried about spelling. That is the spelling I want, but worry about her having to spell it all the time. Our surname isn't strange, but often people can't spell it.

Spelling is fine, but all versions of Isobel are popular. You can check on the Office of National Statistics to see how popular it is in your region.

All spellings of this name are awkward, I have an Isabel & it's only spelled correctly about 25% of the time, we even get Isabella & I would spell her nn Izzy but everyone else writes Issy (makes no sense to me, her nn does not rhyme with prissy or Missy). Go for Jane if you don't want spelling confusion?

It has fallen in popularity in recent years,can't remember last time I met one under 5.

The spelling is fine but it will be spelt differently by others. I know at least 10 Isobel's (or Isabelle's/Isabella's or other spellings) under the age of 2.

I remember reading that (using the 2010 official baby name stats) that the name is by far the most popular in the UK, if you combined all the different spellings.

Just looked up stats - Isabella was 12th, Isabelle was 17th, Isabel was 58th and Isobel was 75th.

Incredibly popular. I like the spelling Isobel best.

It's still a popular name and you will get spelling variations a lot, I think. But if you like it, use it :) Most people will get used to the spelling and it is a pretty name.

beautiful name, i'm sure you won't ever regret using it

Lovely name.
I like that spelling best too.

She will have to spell it all the time, but in all honesty, there aren't many names where that won't happen.

The cycles of fashion are so funny - I was given this name (and spelling) in the 70s and believe me, I most certainly did not have to contend with loads of others in the class, because it was desperately old-fashioned and 'old lady' (and not in a good way!). I was named after my grandmother and just after I was born a few of them appeared in the obituaries - and my Dad was really worried they'd made a terrible mistake.

There was one other girl in my class at one point with it as her middle name, and she was totally embarrassed by it! At 38 I've never met another adult one.

I think this spelling will go more of a way to ensure she isn't one of many.

I love this name, but it is enormously popular where we live in all its variations - Isabelle, Isobel, Isabella... Blardy hundreds of 'em! I don't know many adult Isobels though - only two - but tons of babies (sorry).

I think it's an incredibly lovely name

Oh and I'm 47 and have to spell it out to people ALL the time.

I love the name, and its mine!

there was only ever 2 of us at achool and actually apart from when I was working with lots of spanish people, I have never met another adult. It is very popular in Spain.
In our area now I have only come across 3 children under 10 with it

She will have to spell it alot to other people but it does not bother me doing that

Sodofbaldrick - unless you went to Bristol Uni - I know another 1970s Isobel, who my 6 year old was named after - shortened to Izzy.

I love the name , it is so pretty!

He he, no, I'm not in the UK!

Nice to see some other adult Isobels coming out of the woodwork. :)

If you combine variants, Isabel etc is third (after Sophie and variants and Evie and variants). The peak years were from about 2005/6 to 2010. I haven't met a baby one for a while.

It's used frequently because it is a lovely name.

I love the name my dd is Isabelle (so I am biased)

I love the name, (DD is Isobella) but she will have to spell it.

But if you love it go with it. I also have a name very popular in the 70s that drove me mad with half my class having the same one. I was determined not to do that to my own child, so never went on the short list. But then she was born, and yes, she was an Isobella. Her father said it first and it fitted. (I was going with Elenor before her birth) Now the poor dear has a very popular name that she well have to spend her entire name life spelling. But then she has a Mc surname so she will just have to put up with it!!