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

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

Baby names

Isla too popular now?

31 replies

seven201 · 06/02/2016 16:43

Ever since watching home and away in my teens I've loved the name Isla. This is what I was hoping to call our daughter, but it's been in the top name list for a couple of years now. Is it too popular and her class will be full of Isla's? Also, her initials will be ITT which I don't mind the 'it' link but I have a worry that in some rare scenario they might put our surname first to spell TIT - I'm over thinking that but aren't I? Middle name isn't changeable as has huge sentimental value (was my mum's name).

Please don't comment as to whether you like the name as that's not what I'm asking.

What do people think? Thanks in advance. X

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TillyTolly · 07/02/2016 07:53

Meet so many here between my two bases (London and Cornwall) that it has put me off, but that's not to say it should deter you if you really love it.

When pg with DS1 we considered Iona and Iola (iola) - less popular/decidedly rare respectively. Good luck!

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TheBreastmilksOnMe · 07/02/2016 04:21

I've got an Isla and I love the name. My own initials are also ET and it doesn't bother me! I know several other Isla's one spells her name Eila which is nice. When I hear other parents calling their daughter 'Isla' I always have a look at the child and think that it suits my daughter better :-)

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Izzy82 · 07/02/2016 04:11

I live in Berkshire and had a baby last year. I go to a lot of toddler groups and have met an Isla in literally every single one of them. If you live in my next of the woods, she'll probably be known throughout her entire school life as Isla T. Once in the real world though, it won't matter.
Love the name though- so pretty

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redmini4 · 06/02/2016 23:46

Hi
In Scotland Isla is an incredibly popular name. It is a really lovely melodic sounding name though. So go for it if that is what you like

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kirinm · 06/02/2016 22:18

My sister was an Ila - slightly different spelling, no S. Lovely name.

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seven201 · 06/02/2016 22:14

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BellaBellaBelle · 06/02/2016 21:54

I think it depends where you live to be honest as I haven't met one! I think it's a beautiful name. I was given some advice recently by a friend who was adamant that they wanted a name outside of the top 50. Now that her ds is here she says that she couldn't care less about whether the name is 'popular' or not, so long as you love the name then just go for it!

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IHaveBrilloHair · 06/02/2016 21:01

Very popular, also with Ella , Ellie, Bella, Isabella, Eleanor they all just seem to run into each other.

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headinhands · 06/02/2016 20:57

I've been working with small children for 6 years and have only known 1 Isla.

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seven201 · 06/02/2016 20:51

Good taste chorus! We've got a while to decide (only had twenty week scan last week) but I think we might go with it. She's having a little wiggle as I write this so maybe she's trying to tell me she likes it or she's just having a wiggle!

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1944dadhelp · 06/02/2016 20:19

Lovely name, please ignore external pressures and follow your heart xx

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dementedma · 06/02/2016 20:05

Popular here in Scotland. What about Ailsa?

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VocationalGoat · 06/02/2016 19:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChorusLine69 · 06/02/2016 19:55

I'm in the same position as you, as I love the name Isla and want a Scottish girls name but I'm struggling to find another name I like as much
It's tricky isn't it, I hear it a lot at playgroups when I take my 18 month old and I think it could be annoying to be one of several in the class.

I think I will keep searching for alternatives in the hope I find another name I like as much. A friend suggested Iona as an alternative but it doesn't grab me...

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seven201 · 06/02/2016 19:03

Ooh interesting viewpoints, thank you. I don't think I would be jealous if I heard another parent shout it out etc.

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StitchesInTime · 06/02/2016 18:55

You're definitely overthinking the initials.

I only know 1 Isla (she's about 7). Maybe it's a lot more popular in some places than others? But I think, if you love it, you should go for it. There's a much bigger range of names given to babies these days, so having a popular name these days isn't likely to find you in a position where you're one of 6 in a class.

DS1 has a top 10 name, and while he was one of 3 in his nursery, there's only one other boy with his name in the whole of his infant school (the other boy is in a different year).

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SolsburyHell · 06/02/2016 18:44

I only know one. It's a pretty name.

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ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 06/02/2016 18:44

Way too popular. Also Ella. Try to find something less common

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babyblabber · 06/02/2016 18:42

I had the same dilemma naming DD2. Spent the entire 9 months searching for a name that could compete with Chloe, which I've loved since I was a teenager. I couldn't find one so she is Chloe and I adore it. The fact that it's popular means you will hear it from time to time at the shops/playground etc. If you called your daughter a different name would you have a pang of jealousy every time you heard someone calling their Isla? I know every time I hear the name Chloe I just think it's so pretty and thank god I used it!

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seven201 · 06/02/2016 17:45

I teach many many Izzy's at the moment. I just can't decide if that matters I suppose.

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BettyBi0 · 06/02/2016 17:19

TIT?? Definitely over thinking that one haha.

Isla does seem to be crazy popular now. I know 3 under 2 but it has such a lovely sound to it that I'm not surprised it is so popular.

I think it'll be like Sarah was in the 80s/90s so she'll be in a class with Isla T, Isla B and Isla M. Which may fix her name quite strongly to her generation/fashion.

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seven201 · 06/02/2016 17:16

Thanks everyone. About the ET not being the right generation, that's exactly what I said to my husband. I don't know any Isla babies close by (but to be honest I just don't know any babies/toddlers!) but do have a non-close friend with an Isla who doesn't live near. I teach a 13 year old Isla and she's nice! I'm over the initials worry, thank you. I just need to decide if I care about it being popular.

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PinPon · 06/02/2016 17:15

Isla is incredibly popular where I live. Personally I would go for another name.

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NotTooBothered · 06/02/2016 17:12

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mrsschu · 06/02/2016 17:08

I can't think of a scenario where her initials would be mixed around to create TIT... How often will her initials be used in any case? And how likely is it that for some reason her surname initial will be used first?!

Isla is popular, there are lots around. Personally I think it will date quite quickly as it's not a name that has often been used in the past (except in Scotland perhaps) whereas names like Olivia, Sophie or Lily which are also popular are also not uncommon in other age groups eg. I know women in their 30's as well as young girls/babies with these names. I don't know anyone over the age of 4 called Isla, in fact the only time I'd ever heard the name was Isla Fisher who I assume is your Home &'Away reference. But if that doesn't bother you and you've always wanted to use it then just go with it. My DD has a popular name and in reality we rarely meet anyone else with the same name.