Isambard

[PetalMettle]

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

[AndromedaPerseus]

If you love it go with it

[PetalMettle]

Hmm mixed views then although a few definite nos!
All hypothetical now and perhaps ever anyway, but Sam wouldn't work as ds is a Stan

[reuset]

It sounds pretentious and aspirational as a first name.

[IntoTheDeep]

I love it.

Makes me think of Brunel too.

But I don't love it enough to have considered using it for any DS of mine. It's just that little bit too unusual.

[2014newme]

It's the shortening of it that's an issue. Izzy it would likely end up being.

[MiniMaxi]

It very nearly made our shortlist!

[pombal]

Go for it!! Wish I'd thought of it.

[Lochan]

It's perhaps a bridge too far...

I'll get my coat

[reuset]

It's perhaps a bridge too far...

[reuset]

Oh, it is on the lists with 3 or 4 people, max, using it, just not 2014/15. I wonder why

[BikeRunSki]

Don't derail the thread Lochan.

[sonlypuppyfat]

It's an awesome name, but it would be a lot to live with

[GladAllOver]

He might be a great sleeper though :)

[GladAllOver]

Seriously, he would be called Izzy and confused with Isaac.

[crapfatbanana]

Go for it. Isambard is a bit of a mouthful for day to day use, but Isa is manageable. I think it's a top quality name.

[TheSnorkMaidenReturns]

We really considered using it as a middle name, as both big IKB fans and live near his wonderful Great Western Railway but decided it really is too out there for ordinary life.

Maybe if you live in Bristol, you are both history/engineering academics you could just about get away with it peeping in as an extra name? But I think it might be a bit of a burden to a child.

[BikeRunSki]

Glad I like your train of thought.

[marthastew]

I love it and I am a Bristolian but it's a bit out there for me.

What about Inigo - like Inigo Jones the architect?

Or Indigo - like the colour and Indie for short?

[ElvenMoonwings]

Impressive. I like it.

[GinIsIn]

Sorry but that made me actually snort. Don't do that to your child! Also you may not like Tolkien but lots of people do so I should imagine it would be a common misunderstanding.....

[Mrsknackered]

My dad was desperate for a boy as he loves this name but his other favourites were:
Hank
Alphonso
Manfred

Thank god we are 3 nicely named girls.

[PetalMettle]

Yeah that's a point on the tolkein thing - I guess I just thought ikb was so well known that everyone would kidt think of him

[GreenTrafficLights]

I know a five year old Isambard. I guess he's one of the three. He lives in London. I liked it at first but His parents intended not to shorten it and nevertheless everyone calls him Izzy which is just to feminine IMO.

[CaoNiMa]

Let's keep it civil. Engineering it to work with a variety of nicknames should be easy.

[TheElephantofSurprise]

Love it.