How many baby Isabelles/Isabellas/Isabels/Isobels do you know?

[inuinnit]

Please can you help me out with a straw poll? I'm drawn to unusual names but my hubby has been rejecting all of them because they "don't sound like names". He loves Isobel.

I think it's beautiful but from ONS 2016 list, seems like when you put together all of the various spellings it is one of the most popular names (even THE most popular name) for girls. I don't want her to be one of a few Isobels in her class.

We don't know many babies - those of you who have babies, how many little Isabels/Isobels/Isabelles/Isabellas/Isabelas/Izabels (that's on the ONS list as well) do you know?

Thanks!

I am 'ishabel' the Gaelic version of Isabelle.

I'm Isabelle (the French spelling) - born in 1979, and grew up being the only one I knew with people considering my name to be exotic and often having trouble with its pronounciation and spelling.
It makes me chuckle now that it's become such a popular name - very funny how things turn around from one generation to the next.

1 my daughter, we shorten it to Bella. She's named after my great great grandmother who's name was also shortened to Bella

In response to your question about whether it matters if it's popular, I was in class with 2 other Sophie's in my year. I never felt any less unique because of it - to be honest I never gave it a second thought.

Besides, also in class were 2 girls named Shani and 2 girls and 1 boy named Brodie. You can't predict what will be popular with mother's in your area!

Izzy and eve are this generations sarah and Claire. Really nice names but super popular one in every friendship group type name

My 6 yr old DD is Isobel. Out of her year at school (75 kids) she's the only one. Several Evies, Amelias etc but no other Isobels/Isabelles/Isabels etc. DH and I chose it because we liked it and thought it a lovely pretty name without being twee. We also chose it because it was the only one we could both agree on after a lot of discussion and turning down names that the other person liked i.e. I loved Eleanor but DH hated it and vice versa with Zoe. In the end you both might have to compromise to chose a name you can both enjoy.

Far more Lily's, Amelia's and Sophia's where I am

There are 3 (all different spellings) in DS's class, I know about another 5 or 6. Funnily enough 3 of the mums, at least 2 of the dads (not all of them at school drop off so don't know all the names) and 2 of the little brothers also share names, so there must be some quite strong family naming trends going on!

Only 2 who are actually babies.

But last year in my class of 9 year olds I had Isabella, Isabelle, Isobel and Bella (for Isabella). And there were only 13 children in the class, including 6 boys!

We currently have:
Year 8 - Isabella X 2, Izzy, Bella
Year 7 - none
Year 6 - Isabella, Isabelle, Isobel, Bella, Izzy
Year 5 - Isabel
Year 4 - Isabella, Isabel
Year 3 - none

Loads from all age ranges.

Loads. Varying ages.

I know several adult Isobels/Isabellas.

As for kids, I know four Isabellas under the age of eight, two Isobels and two Isabelles. I don't think I know any Isabels.

I prefer Arabella for a much less popular "bella" name.

I also know an Izobel.

Lovely names. I have 3 in one class tbis year and probably around 8 across 3 groups.
Very popular.

One Isabelle (about 6 years old) and one Isabella (almost 2), living at opposite ends of the country.

Surprisingly few, when I think about it. Pretty name though.

Quite a lot and that's in the 20's age range.

Thanks all for the input.

I think the popularity might be a deal breaker for me, but it's a beautiful name and I think the fact it's consistently popular at all ages is better than being a 'faddy' name - where you think you're being original but you end up choosing a name that is super popular for a few years and then quickly seems dated.

I know 4, aged between 5 months and 7 years, all with a different spelling.

I can count four, all under the age of 8. If it helps though, I feel like the popularity is dying down of Isobel/Isabelle etc. I think Isla has replaced it (I know of 8 Islas, under the age of 5).

There is one in every single class at my school (I noticed it whilst doing the assessment data in July) -all manner of spellings as well!

I do really love the name and nearly chose it for my DD but I'm so glad I didn't now!

Youngest I know is 3. Isabelle

I love Isobel it's my dds middle name

I have an Isabelle who is 4! She’s just started school and out of 90 kids in her year, she’s the only one!

My sons year however Y2, has 9!!!!

I’ve never met any but I adore the name (spelt with a Z though just to make it different!)