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

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

Baby names

Is Isla really that popular?

46 replies

AlmondFrangipani · 13/05/2013 19:13

We love the name but really didnt want to pick a top 10 name. Just seeing if it really was that popular, do you know many babies with the name?

Can you suggest some alternatives?

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SingingSands · 14/05/2013 00:55

It's not overly popular, but so what if it was? I called my daughter a "popular" name, but I don't know many other girls with the same name in real life. If I do hear it I tend to think "good choice of name!".

Isla is a lovely name. Unless your surname is "White" or "Wright", best to avoid it then!

Chottie · 14/05/2013 05:58

I know of no Islas and I live SE London. If you love it, use it.

windywoo26 · 14/05/2013 06:57

I know of 4 under 3, it is a really pretty name but is currently very in fashion round here (south east)

DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper · 14/05/2013 10:14

Wow, deja vu...

Yours is the third 'Isla' thread in recent months to ask specifically about the popularity of the name, as opposed to just asking about the name itself...

How popular is Isla?

No, really, how popular is Isla?

Conclusion? It's a very popular name, and everyone else thinks that, too.

Does it bother you? It would bother me, purely because names which spike massively in popularity end up sounding very dated. But plenty of people (obviously) don't care about that.

Stat · 14/05/2013 10:57

Isla was number 15 in the rankings for 2011, and before that it was rising up the rankings each year, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was top 10 by now.

It was also ranked 10th in the South East (but not in the top ten anywhere else), so it is particularly popular there if that matters to you.

In other words, as everyone else has said, yes it is popular.

wigglesrock · 14/05/2013 11:20

I know 3 under 6 but I also know 3 baby Astrids and 2 Albas and 2 Arthurs born very recently - all As Its popular but it depends how much you love the name. Dd2 has a very popular name (begins with O ), she is in her first year of primary school and she's the only one in her year. It's also very regional - dd3 has a name which is well liked on MN but I'm tripping over them here, it's much more popular than my other 2.

Whowouldfardelsbear · 14/05/2013 11:23

Visuliseahorse - my DD is an Isla. There is another Isla in her nursery class. Her surname is Wright and it always makes me chuckle inside when I hear her full name said out loud. We are not in the UK though, and obviously the little island off the south coast is not internationally famous

And yes - Isla was the top twelfth name here for the year she was born. Not bothered though as I love it.

harleyd · 14/05/2013 11:29

isla is a horrible name. do not use it. its awful, horrible, horrific
every child in the country is called it

its actually number 1 name on my list atm and i dont know anyone with that name. i know i'll go off it if its really that popular

telsa · 14/05/2013 11:31

Never ever met one in my 8 years of motherhood in SE England!

MERLYPUSS · 14/05/2013 12:10

I'm London-ish. There are 2 in reception class and I know another 2 under 10yrs. Good name though.

squoosh · 14/05/2013 12:14

Isla Wright!

Don't people put their kids potential name into Google?? Surely it would have thrown up Isle of Wight. Reminds me of that unfortunate boy a few years ago whose parents innocently named him Drew Peacock.

notso · 14/05/2013 12:18

squoosh my sister had a friend called Chris Peacock!

squoosh · 14/05/2013 12:20

Chris Peacock!!!!!!!!!

Who would keep a name like that??

notso · 14/05/2013 12:21

Ha I know! Her tutor was called Phil McKracken
You couldn't make it up!

VisualiseAHorse · 14/05/2013 15:32

Alright harleyd, don't get your knickers in a twist.

Chris Peacock is an AWESOME name. I knew a Gary Lord. Doesn't sound funny until the R in Gary gets scribbled out on every schoolbook he owned.

TransatlanticCityGirl · 18/05/2013 20:53

I know two, 1 in London and 1 in Essex

liftthatup · 18/05/2013 21:29

My dd is Isla and was born in 2007. I had never heard the name used and was a primary school teacher for 13 years- so familiar with name trends. We are in Northern Ireland and I have not met another one so far... But I've heard of them!! Still love the name If you love it, use it!

DeekeyDoo · 19/05/2013 23:00

I know 4 under 6.

kipplin · 20/05/2013 08:02

My 4 year old is Isla. It was about number 70 on the charts when we picked it. For the first few years it was very unusual here and we often found ourselves having to repeat/spell the name out! Now we hear it very often amongst the babies in DC2's baby groups etc. I'm sure it will be top 10 now, maybe even top 5 :(

Belmo · 20/05/2013 13:01

I'm in central Scotland and there's 2 or 3 at every toddler group I've been to. I do think it's lovely though.

Splatt34 · 20/05/2013 18:42

DD aged 2yrs & 7 months is Isla.
There is another in her nursery class who is nearly 3.
Don't know any others but I work full time so don't do the mummy social thing.
Do I care? No! It's the only name we both loved and suits her perfectly.
Only problem is toddlers seems to find it difficult to prnounce and her cousin and several others call her "Ira"

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