Struggling with the name DP wants, but I can't think of alternatives

[WishingWellsandCountryCottages]

Hi Ladies,
I'm 36+4 with my first baby, who I know is going to be a girl. I'm in the lucky position that everyone around me having baby's is having/has had boys so I basically can pick any name I want without upsetting anyone, I am also the only female in my generation of the family. My problem with names is I was bullied at school from age 7 right up to 16 so a lot of the names we came up with have negative connotations for me.

DP and I have been discussing names since finding out the gender at 21weeks. DP has had his heart set on calling Isobel, we're not scottish and live no where near scotland, but DP loves the name and has done since he read it in a book aged 18. I'm not so sure though, but can't come up with any alternatives I like. I've never met anyone with the name Isabelle/Isobel or any other spelling of the name, so from that point of view it's a good choice considering it's supposedly common.

I also want to use Marie for a middle name, and DP thinks this works. The middle name is non-negotiable because it was my grandmothers first name, she died in 2011.

What are peoples thoughts? Should I just let DP use the name and get used to it as she grows up? Any other suggestions for name?

[WaferInMyCoffee]

If you don't dislike the name and your DP has his heart set on it then go for Isobel. I think it is lovely (love that spelling too) and goes beautifully with Marie.

In my experience (it was the other way round for us, I had my heart set on a name since I was a teen, DH wasn't sure) if you don't use it now then you'll end up giving it to your next child anyway ;)

[Marisola]

Yes, spare a thought for the poor man who set his heart on a name! Why encourage OP to choose something else for no reason !!!!

[BertrandRussell]

"
Eleanor is a beautiful classical name.
Abigail too seems to fit your needs."

Agreed. But neither of them are the name that the OP's husband has loved since he was 18!!!!!!!!!!

[SanityClause]

You have lots of names with negative connotations. Do you have any with positive ones? Someone who was always kind to you? A role model from history?

Perhaps think about those.

[maccie]

Eleanor is a beautiful classical name.
Abigail too seems to fit your needs.

[BertrandRussell]

If you've picked the middle name and quite like Isobel then use it if he loves it and has loved it for a long time.

[Marisola]

Isobel is a lovely name, and goes well with the middle name that YOU have chosen and say is non-negotiable.

Since you don't dislike Isobel, and there's no other name that you love, then it seems rather mean not to give your daughter the name that your husband has always loved. I really don't understand why it should be an issue at all.

[thegreylady]

Isobel is beautiful.
I know a baby named Iona and that also works with Marie as does Annabel.

[MsJuniper]

Agree with others, I think if your DH loves it so much and you like it then it's a great choice. I think it's very charming that he has carried this name around for so long and Isobel will love to hear it when she grows older.

Isobel Marie is a really beautiful, elegant combination and I think you should go for it.

[BeautifulStars93]

I have an Isabelle. Liked the name ever since I was about 6!
I really dont meet that many. X

[getbusyliving]

Are there any names you love? I feel from your Op that you are settling a bit ( sorry if incorrect)

Negative connotations can be forgotten once baby makes the name her own, I would advise looking at names with fresh eyes (ears!)

Enjoy it

[manicinsomniac]

I think Isobel Marie is beautiful.

I know many Isabels, Isabelles and Isabellas but have only ever met one Isobel and she's 30.

I'd go with it if you like it well enough and your husband really loves it.

If not, other names along the same lines as Isobel, Rebecca, Charlotte and Hannah:

Abigail, Amy, Anna, Alice, Bryony, Bethany, Claire, Chloe, Caroline, Danielle, Emma, Emily, Eleanor, Erin, Esther, Fiona, Florence, Georgia, Georgina, Harriet, Imogen, Jessica, Jennifer, Joanna, Juliet, Julia, Judith, Katherine, Katie, Lucy, Lydia, Laura, Lauren, Louisa, Melissa, Madeleine, Miriam, Megan, Mary, Natalie, Natasha, Nicola, Nicole, Phoebe, Rachel, Rosemary, Sarah, Samantha, Stephanie, Victoria, Vanessa, Zoe

[DreamofFields]

Do you like Izzy or Bel or Bella? These can all be names you use yourself for your dd if you go with Isobel. Or anything really. I call my dd Baby Bear which is nothing to do with her name but because she had a v cute bear outfit as a newborn and it stuck.

I would be so thrilled if dh felt strongly about a name that I would use it unless I hated it. As it is he vetoes all my suggestions and doesn't come to with anything himself.

[BartholomewCrouch]

Isobel is so popular it has become very dull imo.

Names that 'feel' a similar type but less popular:

Clara
Sadie
Abigail

[Sophronia]

Isobel Marie is lovely.

How about Mirabel / Mirabelle as an alternative?

[NadiaWadia]

Agree that Isobel Marie is a gorgeous name! And since you don't seem to have anything you love yourself and your DP likes it so much, why not go for it?

[MrsRossPoldark]

I love Isobel Marie! You don't have to be Scottish to use it! Also has loads of shortened forms as alternatives:

Izzy
Iz
Iza [?]
Bella
Belle

or use Marie instead [my Mum and Nana both were always known by their middle names all their lives]

Still, you both have to like it enough to want it!

[Fridgedooropen]

Isobel Marie is a lovely combination. As it's not that you dislike it, you just don't get the tingles for it, but don't have others you prefer, I would go with it. You and your DP then each have one name that's meaningful to you.

[cashewnutty]

I am Scottish and my middle name is Isabel. This is the way i know it to by spelled by many Scottish people.

[ilovemargaretatwood8931]

Henrietta
Esther
Miriam
Sophia

Those are some of my favourites.

And I've just suggested on another thread what I think are 'fabulous' names- Gloriana, Astrid, Arianwen.

Congratulations on your baby!

[Icedfinger]

Isobel is lovely but if you don't like it I'd say that to your DP.

How about:

Emily
Harriet
Imogen
Lila
Grace
Catherine

[mrstweefromtweesville]

Isobel Marie.
Its good. Don't change it.

[Wheresmypassport]

Isobel is lovely though

[Wheresmypassport]

Eleanor
Abigail
Imogen
Harriet
Amelia (although very popular)
Alexandra (Lexi for short)
Freya
Lydia
Alice
Sophie

[Angelto5]

Love the name Isobel

Our Dd(12) is an Isobelle though-dh wanted to go with the French spelling