Isla? Urgent please!

[TaytoCrisp]

Our beautiful little girl was born this morn. We are delighted!

Had aoife, Juliet and cara on the short list for girls, but now we both like Isla. However it's very very popular (no. 4 in scotland). Should we just go with it, or consider alternatives? Advice and /or suggestions appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

How about Lyla? It means beautiful night in Arabic I think.

Another vote here for Juliet. Beautiful and more uncommon than Isla

Another one with a nearly 7 yr old Isla, wasn't even in the top 100 when I choose it and now extremely popular but I still love it! Mine is Isla Mae but refuses to be known as anything but "just Isla"! Lol. A beautiful name but as my 2 other dd's names are still unusual, it's abit annoying her's isn't anymore. If I had to choose now maybe would go for the more unusual Lyla or ilona (name of a lovely work colleague, family of Dutch origin I think)

I think it does seem to be a bit overused at the present time. But if you like it then why not go for it.

Thanks Maki, sorry I realised I just came across as completely neurotic, but glad you understand. I think it is actually quite common to pick a name thinking it is unusual and then find otherwise and I don't think I am the only one to be a bot disappointed! I am very glad however that we did not use the most popular spelling, and the version we chose has an extra meaning and special meaning to us, like yours - at least it will be a bit different! (though she will always have to spell it)

If you love it, use it, but don't rush.

I like Juliet, but for alternatives how about Cora or Ishbel?

It's everywhere in London. I personally would avoid it.
Lila is less popular and stronger...

I know of one...

I prefer Juliet

I have an Isla. Still love the name and it suits her perfectly but there is always an Isla wherever we go, that can get a bit annoying! If you love it, go for it, but be prepared for it to be popular. I've embraced that now so it doesn't bother me too much but be aware before you choose it!
Xx

Congratulations.
Isla is a beautiful name. Welcome to our world baby Isla. x

I think Isla is lovely but believe there are two at my daughters school. I really like cara. If you like scottish names I agree ailsa is beautiful. When I was pregnant with number 3 I wanted a scottish name and liked Mirren.

I initially liked the suggestion of Ishbel but the more I looked at it the only thing I pictured was an old drunk trying to pronounce Isobel and not quite managing.

I picked a boys name for DS 18 years ago which is quite popular with older irish people and then a few years later it becoming hugely popular in the northern market town where I live ( (despite there being no Irish people here!). My second son has a Common French name but uncommon inthe Ribble Valley. Well, was uncommon in thre RibbleValley untilhewas 3. Now there is loads of them!!

Cookie crumbling and all that!!

I love, love, love the name Juliet.

I really love Cara

but my son would have been an Isla if he had of been a girl. It's popular for a reason

Absolutely adore Juliet & Cara. Like Aoife.

Don't like Isla sorry, while it is pretty it has rocketed up the charts and will appear faddy and dated.

It is ridiculously popular up here, but it's such a beautiful name.

Isla is absolutely gorgeous but the popularity would make me think twice too, though not necessarily a total deal breaker.

I really like all the names you mentioned especially Juliet which is just as fab as Isla if you don't go for Isla.

Ailsa ?

Thanks so much ladies for all your thoughts and suggestions - very helpful. We also really like cara but it is very close to our new nieces name - carys so that has now been ruled out. Juliet is still a favourite but less keen on jools and Julie!! Still like aoife.. But not sure she looks like one! Dh has suggested eilidh now too, so will add it to the mix. Mirren is also very nice. Thanks again for all the suggestions and good wishes. She was up must of the night but is sleeping now! She is gorgeous!! We r very lucky

I like Isla but personally the popularity really puts me of it, as a Hannah of the early 80's me and the Sarahs and Rebeccas I knew didn't like how common our names seemed at our schools. Aoife, Juliet and Cara are also beautiful names and nowhere near as common right now so I'd pick one of them.

Juliet wouldn't be shortened to Julie IMO but Jules is certainly a possibility though. How about the nn Etta? Fwiw, I think Juliet is such a beautiful and underused name - classy and strong - just lovely!

Juliette or Cara for me.

Isla is v popular & will date- one of those names that define a generation.

I have a Clara. It's sort-of a cross between Cara and Isla

I love it. And here in Central Scotland I actually only know about 4 littlies called Isla (and I am a teacher plus have 3 kids in primary school).

Go for it.