Isabella vs Tabitha

[justpotteringabout]

Like both. I know Isabella is very popular but it is such a beautiful name. I prefer more unusual names but this one seem to be sticking on the short list. Tabitha is another contender, more unusual and I think elegant but wondered what the consensus is? My Mum is on the campaign for the former so I'm trying to get some unbiased opinion.

[siluria]

A three-year-old (in Tenterden - poshish bit of Kent); a 13-month-old in Muswell Hill, and a girl at my daughter's nursery (in Bucks) who I guess is about 2.

So all very MN-tastic areas, I'd say ... ;)

[Mrsindecison]

That should say "Tabithas"!

[Mrsindecison]

I actually know 2 young Tabitha's. I would not let popularity put you off a name and think that you should go with the name you truly prefer. One of my DC has a name which was well outside the top 400 names when I choose it and they actually have another with the same name in their class. Another of my DC has a very popular name (top 5) and doesn't have another in the same class, so you can never tell!

[PeriodMath]

siluria, really? You know 3 Tabithas? How old are they? I've never met any. But that's the thing with MN, everyone except me seems to know 25 Byrons and 45 Persephones.

[misskatamari]

Wow rob99s rather offensive. I haven't encountered such things on mumsnet before (newly pregnant) so atleast most are kind with their comments even when they don't agree.

I think Tabitha a lot. One of my favourite girls names (alas DH not keen). I would pick that over Isabella (which is pretty but a bit overused now)

[siluria]

Don't be bothered about popularity - you know which name you love. My DD is Isobel and I love saying her name - to me it is the most beautiful name ever in the world and she is the most beautiful daughter I could ever have imagined, so no matter how many other Isobels/Isabellas there may be out there, it's still the loveliest name we could think of.

I think Tabitha is pretty too - depends on your region, I think, since it is definitely also very popular in some areas (I know three and only one Isobel!)

[synaman]

Don't listen to those saying Tabitha is a cat's name; it's a lovely name.

Isabella and all varients of that name (Isabelle etc) have been done to death recently; I'd be surprised if she was the only Is/Bel in the class. It's not very imaginative

[AmberJames]

I agree with italladdsup. Tabitha is a great name. :)

[Mhysa]

Meant to add that even though Isabella is quite popular, I think it has a better choice of nn, Izzy, Bella, Belle ect.

[Mhysa]

I have a Tabitha (13y) and she doesn't often bump into other Tabitha's (although she knows a Tabatha) but she refuses to use that name an only responds to Tabby, which is nice, but drives me mad

[PeriodMath]

I wouldn't worry about Tabitha shooting up the rankings - lots of names are popular on MN that never make it into the top 100.

[trinitybleu]

I have a Tabitha too! Was supposed to be nn Abi but

[night1971]

Tabitha. Delightful pretty name. Isabella gorgeous too although very popular, if that bothers you.

Rob99 is rather limited. Best to ignore. Wonder what fabulous names he has given his poor children.

[MoonHare]

Love Tabitha - we have one!

It is certainly less popular than Isabella/Isabelle/Isobel/Isabel etc BUT it has been mentioned so often on these boards recently I expect it will have shot up the rankings when the baby name stats are published.

That said, I believe it's a marmite name so it probably won't ever trouble the top 50.

Go for it, Tabitha is pretty but still a bit different.

[jellybeans]

I like both but prefer Tabitha. It's a stunning name and a bit different. I would def use it if have more DDs.

[starlightloz]

Tabitha is the name I would have given a daughter had I not only had boys.It is ever such a pretty name. If the popularity of Isabella is a concern how about something similar like Mirabella or Arabella?

[OKnotOK]

I have an Isabella, we waited until she was born & i just came out with it , it seemed to suit her.

I had absolutly NO idea how popular it was (she can always use her middle name anyway if she so chooses!!) i thought i was choosing some thing a bit "different" (shows what i know).

Its a pretty name so if it suits her...use it.

To everyone who has made fun of the name Isabella on here....fek all of yall!!

[Keztrel]

Blimey rob how bored or bitter must you be to post something like that about someone you don't know's taste in names?!

[PeriodMath]

rob99, what an unnecessarily nasty thing to post. Having a bad day are you?

[Frettchen]

I adore the name Tabitha, and will be using it for DD1 if/when she comes along.

So on that basis you should totally pick Isabella!


In all seriousness, both names are lovely - pick whichever feels right.

[italladdsup]

Tabitha is a gorgeous name!

[rob99]

Cats are arsey, selfish little gets who only turn up when they want you to feed them or stroke them.......so I guess Tabitha is an ideal name for pusht southern mummies to call their little darlings :o)

[jungletoes]

My dd is called Tabitha, it's a beautiful name for a beautiful daughter.

[DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper]

Isabella will date.

It is SO popular, that the next generation won't want a bar of it.

It's a very cyclical name.