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Baby names

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

Original poster

Isla or Laila?

32 replies

m90 · 09/03/2014 11:56

Hi, I'm due in April, just wondered your opinions on these names,
also going to use May as middle name as is was my Nana's name so has a special meaning. Thanks x

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winterhat · 09/03/2014 12:10

Laila. It's a pretty name and I don't know any little Lailas. Isla has recently become very popular.

Mumof3xx · 09/03/2014 12:11

I prefer Leila to Laila tbh

But agree on Laila being better than Isla due to how popular Isla is now!

iloveweetos · 09/03/2014 12:19

Oh I love the name Isla. Wanted this name for dd but DH isn't keen :( could even use Ayla

rlrmamma · 09/03/2014 12:50

Laila is beautiful

MamaPain · 09/03/2014 13:02

I like Laila best. Think it's less common and suits an adult just as well as a child. It's not too defining either.

I don't think it's one of those names where you think instantly think posh/middle class/not so posh/rough as fuck.

EyelinerQueen · 09/03/2014 13:03

Laila.

I really dislike Isla, largely due to it's popularity.

alita7 · 09/03/2014 13:20

Love isla

jusdepamplemousse · 09/03/2014 13:57

Laila is beautiful. Isla is too but so so popular now, so if that would bother you I'd opt for Laila.

squoosh · 09/03/2014 14:07

Laila.

The popularity of Isla baffles me, it sounds so frumpy.

Ham69 · 09/03/2014 17:14

Grin at MamaP! I prefer Laila though I do know 3 aged between 5 and 7. My friend's DD is Laila and her 2 really good friends in class are Lola and Lila!

Bowlersarm · 09/03/2014 17:15

Isla

Frikadellen · 09/03/2014 17:18

Laila as it is not so popular.

littleredsquirrel · 09/03/2014 17:20

If I had a girl she was going to be Leila. Its beautiful. Do spell it properly though. Leila not Laila

soundsystem · 09/03/2014 17:58

Isla is lovely. Not sure if you're aware there is an Isle of May in Scotland, would Isla May sound a bit liek that? Depends where you are though if anyone would even think of that!

squoosh · 09/03/2014 18:10

There's also an island called Islay, so the name will sounds like and island's name anyway.

TheCricketWidow · 09/03/2014 18:15

Isla..im biased though, ive got one Smile

BlueFrenchHorn · 09/03/2014 18:36

Love Laila

florascotia · 09/03/2014 18:37

'Islay' (the place, an island) is indeed pronounced 'Isla'.

No-one is quite sure where its name comes from - it might mean 'island with two parts' or 'law island'. Or it might be named after a mythical/legendary Pictish princess, called Ile (Eye-luh).

Driveway · 09/03/2014 18:41

Isla.
Or Leila.

Laila may be less popular than Isla but there are so many Lilys Lilas Laylas etc that I don't think it will sound particularly unique if that is a decider!

Benchmark · 09/03/2014 21:51

Laila!

ashtrayheart · 09/03/2014 21:55

I've got an Isla and I don't know any others.

EirikurNoromaour · 09/03/2014 21:58

Both Laila and Isla are quite common, and May is extremely common. Isla May will be one of many many girls with that name in her generation and Laila May doesn't sound d great together IMO. I'd personally pick Laila with a much more interesting middle name. Or if you must keep May then choose a more interesting and less common first name.

EirikurNoromaour · 09/03/2014 21:59

Laila is an Arabic name and as such Laila, Leila, Layla are all correct spellings. They are less rigid about 'correct' spellings than we tend to be.

Glasshammer · 10/03/2014 01:41

I know lots of both. What about Lyra or Lila or Lola or Lois

Proudmummytodc2 · 10/03/2014 01:42

Iid go Laila because my little girl is called Laylah and I love them name very girlish

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