Double barrel first name....or not??

[fixuplooksharp]

me again, still having the Isla/Ayla debate with ourselves, don't worry I am due in two weeks so won't pain you with this for much longer :)
Love both names, I realise Isla is extremely popular in general at the moment but to be honest in the area I live in, not hugely, which is good.
I have recently started wondering whether to have a double barrel first name, and don't want all the family knowing the name before the baby is here so thought I'd test it on you honest bunch...
Isla-Rose
Ayla-Rose
Thoughts on either would be great, or on double barrelled names in general as it's not something I had considered before. Both our boys just have one first name and no middle name, so we can't really go down the middle name route with this one.
Sorry to go on...I'll leave it with you :)

[Foamshrimp]

There may be exceptions to the rule, but generally not keen on double barrelled. Both great names without the dash.

[Ohbollocksandballs]

My first name is double barrelled. If you like it go for it. I only tend to go by the first part of it. I only get full named when I'm in trouble.

[Flottila]

I think it's Not Good.

[WhimsicalWinnifred]

Oooh. Love Ayla. Never heard it before!

Double barrelled names were so pretty until everyone started with mai/may/Mae/rose etc. it actually pisses me off to see when another of my friends is doing it. Tho I realise that's my problem.

[mydogeatsnutstoo]

Really really dislike double barrelled names and I think on here it is definitely viewed as quite downmarket (which would also be my view to be honest). Also it is always Rose or May so not v original.

Isla was number 3 in the recently released names stats so yes very popular and you will definitely encounter it a lot.

I'd go for just Ayla on its own.

[WhimsicalWinnifred]

I don't think it is double barrelled names in themselves which is downmarket but the lack of originality. Anne-Marie isn't on a par with Layla-rose

[AliAliAlium]

I'm not a fan of hyphenated first names (I think that's the correct term for first names - double-barrelled is used for surnames). I always think that the second part somehow detracts from a nice first name.

Isla is hugely popular around here, but lovely. I've recently met a couple of little Aylas, and to be honest it always makes me think that the parents liked Isla but were trying to be a bit different. Obviously this wouldn't apply if Ayla was culturally relevant to your family, but otherwise my vote would be to go for Isla.

[StandardEEEK]

My DCs half sister has an awful double barrelled name that has just been mentioned on here.

The question is - can you handle being judged?

Isn't Ayla pronounced the same as Isla?

[Scarydinosaurs]

We have a double barrelled first name for my DD, I am not keen on them, as a teacher I know they generally get dropped by year 7 and draw nasty snobby comments. However, my DH loved the two names together, and actually, I really like it now. Her first name has rocketed in popularity, so if she's stuck with three others in her class, at least it's unlikely she'll have someone with the same double barrelling.

[fixuplooksharp]

Thanks everyone, I see what you mean. It's a shame because I see Rose as a really pretty name, but it has been overused as part of a first name and now most hyphenated first names, I guess, do come across in a negative way. I thought that would be the general response, glad I asked now, to confirm :)
I still love Isla and Ayla, and I have looked at some many other names and can't find any that I like as much, or that we both like as much and agree on. If Isla wasn't so popular we wouldn't hesitate, which makes me think maybe we shouldn't worry and just go for it, but Ayla is also a lovely pretty name.

[WhimsicalWinnifred]

The problem with Ayla is that your DD would be constantly xorrecting peoples spelling of it.

I have to do it as my name is spelt the French way of a multilingual name. If I pronounced it the French way I probably wouldn't have to spell it but people only ever say it the English way so that's all I've ever been.

Names are annoying really.

[ClaireFraser]

Depends whether every time you meet another little girl Called Isla you'll regret not using it? If it's your favourite then go for it, even it's really popular. It's popular because it's such a lovely name.

[BertrandRussell]

If you love Isla use it. People will just think she's called Isla anyway if you use Ayla so it'll just be practically the same name with huge amounts of added hassle.

And you know something? Whatever people on mumsnet think, it doesn't actually matter if you know someone else with the same name as you. In my experience most kids quite like it.

[nolongerwaitingfornumber2]

Isn't Ayla pronounced like Taylor rather than Isla? It's unusual and I like it. Not keen with Rose as first name but don't see why you can't give her a middle name too.

[FlysInDreams]

I hadn't realised Ayla was an actual name until I just looked it up. I had just seen used in Clan of the Cave Bear ????

[Kraggle]

I would pronounce Isla as eye-la and Ayla like Hay-la but without the H.

I don't like double barreling and Rose is very overused as a second name.

[SoupDragon]

My first name is double-barrelled. I think a lot depends on what the names are as some are over used. knot sure I like the ones you've chosen as double barrelled names and prefer them as individual ones.

Realistically, the hyphen is irrelevant as your child will be called one or other of the names and very rarely both. Just like an ordinary first and middle name set up.

[fixuplooksharp]

Yes you're right, I'm going to drop the whole double barrelled thing. Just one lovey name is enough :) And yes clairefraser I think every time I met a little girl called Isla I probably would wish I'd used it. I have loved the name for years but had two boys so didn't get to use it. It sounds lovely alongside both my boys names too :)

[Daphnedolittle]

I think Isla-Rose is beautiful. It's not like other double barrell names like Lexie-Mae or Lily-Mae. It sounds simple and pretty and rolls off the tongue.
I know a little Annie-Rose who loves her name and won't let it be shortened. She's only 4 and very cute. I say go for it and don't forget mumsnet is unusual in its hatred for double barrell names.

[AliAliAlium]

Honestly, use Isla. I absolutely loved the name Sophie, but didn't use it due to popularity, and picked something far less commonly used. I do love DD's name, but every time I hear Sophie I get a "I was meant to have a Sophie" pang...

[TravellingToad]

Really dislike double barrelled.

[DXBMermaid]

I like Ayla. It's what my 2 year old calls herself despite her name being Alexandra

I'm not so keen on the double barrelled thing. I know a Marie-Louise and a Anna-Louise and neither of them like their full names. If I'm being really honest, ....-Rose is just a bit bland imho. A bit like Grace and Mae/May.

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

Just to confirm your decision OP

MIL has a double barrelled first name and she HATES it. Why she never just dropped or stopped using the second part is beyond me but man does she moan about it.

And then my mum. She originally had "2 first names" as well but at age 16 she merged them into one. Think "Carol" and "Lynn" becoming "Carolyn" IYSWIM.

[PuckyMup]

Ayla Rose is a lingerie shop ..

[fixuplooksharp]

Thanks all!!
I appreciate abit of honesty, it makes it clearer :) One name it is, and I'm perfectly happy with that. And popular or not, I think I'm sticking to my guns with Isla, it has been a name I love for so long I will end up regretting it if I don't use it.