Isambard

[PetalMettle]

Too out there? I'm amazed it's not even on the lists e.g. Fewer than 3 people use it

A lovely name but just too pretentious, IMO. Considered it for DS1 but yes, it's just too much.

Brunel!

But we live in Bristol so everyone knows the name
What would you shorten it to?

I can see why fewer than three people use it, sorry Petal I think it's awful.

I don't like it , it doesn't flow well and doesn't even sound nice to my ears .

A friend of a friend has an Isambard, they are history academics. Totally out there but also awesome. I think it deserves some more use.

Sounds like isengard.

What would the shortened version be (even if you aren't planning on using it there will be one). I'm not sure I would want a boy to be called Izzy...

I pronounce it izz-Ambard, but I went to Brunel university (proudly named after the most famous isambard around) and there it is pronounced eye-zambard in all the uni songs and speeches, so you may want to double check the pronunciation. I'm not sure which is most commonly used

Kingdom Brunel..

A name that has alot to live up to !

I quite like it - it would shorten to 'Sam' which is normal enough to pass unnoticed if the child felt self-conscious.

I prefer Erasmus though

And not forgetting Brunel senior, Marc Isembard. Great men, but I don't think I'd use the name.

I quite like it. You could have Sam or Izzy for short.

I like it, but my first thought was that it sounds like Isengard, and with the popularity of those books/movies I think it would very easily lead to teasing.

I like it. But nn Issy would put me off, as it's a girls name.,

I thought it was the LOTR place until I read the thread. I like it though

I've never heard of isengard (hate Tolkien).
It's the Brunel connection that appeals, DH and I were talking names as I was late and stupidly hopeful, and it's one of the very few boys names he likes. Was just then curious as to what people thought of it

Awesome name but possibly a bit much

Would Brunel itself work? I know its a surname but it's less 'OTT' than his first name, no pronunciation worries, and less need of a nickname. I think a baby Brunel could really work.

I really like it, yes it's unusual, but actually a well known name.
And yes to a shortening to Sam

I think it's wearing its heart on its sleeve too much

Similar to things like Atticus

Sam could work as a NN. That way you've achieved your aim of honouring someone you are interested in, without him constantly having to spell it and explain it, of he doesn't want to.

Or could shorten to Isa - a Jilly Cooper character in Riders (but he does go naughty in her later books)

I'd do it - he'd have options on normal nicknames (Sam) but a conversation starter name - do it!

I wanted it for DS!! I'm a civil engineer and the eldest boy of every generation of DH's family is all Sam's for about 8 generations. It was perfect. But DH was very and we stuck with Samuel in the end. Still regret it a little...