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Baby names

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

Nina or Isla?

38 replies

drinkingteawhenitshot · 09/07/2018 20:20

Can't decide and think they're too close for sisters (right?)

Nina is a family name, my DH's great aunt who is just lovely and really encouraged him in his pursuing his creative career when no one else did. She would be over the moon. DH would love to use it and I do like it.

But Isla has long been my absolute favourite name I love to say it, I love the way it looks, I love everything about it! But we have no Scottish connections at all. I'm not worried about popularity in that more than one at school, but as a Nicola born in the 1980s, I don't want a name that will necessarily date stamp my kid. (But isn't Isla a new classic?) DH does like it too (was on the list for DD1 as well) but probably prefers Nina for the family connection. He'll go with whatever one I pick.

We're also always talking about moving abroad (maybe a pipe dream though!), and I think Nina would be much easier in this respect. I'm not worried about the siren thing with Nina that's silly but I do worry it's a bit plain next to our DD1s name. Isla probably goes better with it.

Also our DD1s name has such deep meaning for us (was our midwife's name -- wasn't even on the list) that it's hard for me to just say "oh, I just liked the name."

But am I always going to wince when I hear the lovely Isla? Thoughts please!

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Lotsofdigestives · 09/07/2018 20:24

Isla is one of the top 20 names of 2018, so is very ‘now’.

Mind you, I know three Ninas under 4 living near me, so...

Could Nina be a middle name if you prefer Isla?

MikeUniformMike · 09/07/2018 20:27

Nina. Isla is a bit too popular and Nina is a family name. Both are pretty.

RavenWings · 09/07/2018 20:32

Isla is nice, but it will date stamp the kid. Mind you, surely we're all date stamped anyway when someone meets us and can work out roughly what time you're born in.

Nina - also nice but popular and of the moment too.

Really it just depends on which you prefer. My preference would be Nina. Could you use them both and break it up with a middle name? Nina Celeste Isla, Isla Laurel Nina... both off the top of my head so I'm sure with a bit of time you could think of something nicer.

RavenWings · 09/07/2018 20:34

Also re: Isla, I don't think Scottish connections matter. It's become popular enough that no one will bat an eyelid.

drinkingteawhenitshot · 09/07/2018 20:37

Interesting -- hadn't realised that Nina was popular too! I only know my DH's aunt and no little ones. That said, it is a more traditionally "classic" name I think.

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Judashascomeintosomemoney · 09/07/2018 20:42

Oh they’re both lovely. I was going to say Why not both? But then I realised Isla Nina sounded like the location of the next Jurassic Park movie so maybe not.

adoggymama · 09/07/2018 20:42

I love them both! At a push, I'd say Nina. X

WallisFrizz · 09/07/2018 20:42

Nina. Love it.

daisypond · 09/07/2018 20:43

Nina, hands down. Isla has been having a moment for several years now. I only know a couple of Ninas, in their 20s, but I think that's rising in popularity as well.

Shiftymake · 09/07/2018 20:44

I had the same issue before DS was born. There is some male names out there that I simply love and always thought I would name a potential son. But then when I was pregnant we decided to use DGF-DGGFs names and love his name. When he asks about these names we can give small stories so he learns some family history.

StrawberryCat · 09/07/2018 20:47

Nina! Isla is pretty but sooooo boring now!

drinkingteawhenitshot · 09/07/2018 20:48

Jurassic Park! Judashascomeintosomemoney Grin

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ReggieKrayDoYouKnowMyName · 09/07/2018 20:50

I’ve known two Ninas in my life- both legends- and it’s a great name. Use it!

TheCatFromOuterSpace · 09/07/2018 20:52

Definitely nina. Every other child I meet seems to be called isla.

drinkingteawhenitshot · 09/07/2018 20:53

Oh, this is interesting! I had thought that Nina might seem boring/plain next to Isla but at least some think not! That's really helpful.

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HeyDolly · 09/07/2018 20:54

Nina. Definitely.

Isla has become so popular and overused that a once nice name has become bland and boring.

RatRolyPoly · 09/07/2018 20:54

My Nina is 11 months; it's definitely having a surge or popularity!

RatRolyPoly · 09/07/2018 20:54

*of

drinkingteawhenitshot · 09/07/2018 20:55

Oh RatRolyPoly, congrats! Have you had good reactions to your Nina's name?

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RatRolyPoly · 09/07/2018 20:57

Yes, very good all round! It feels a bit retro but I think it's coming back around :)

drinkingteawhenitshot · 09/07/2018 21:01

That's great to know -- thanks! It's not a name I would have considered but for the family connection, but yes, retro is a good thing and I'm liking it more and more.

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ArtisanPopcorn · 09/07/2018 21:05

names.darkgreener.com/#isla

names.darkgreener.com/#nina

I would go for Nina, Isla is crazily popular and very of the moment.

drinkingteawhenitshot · 09/07/2018 21:26

Oh geez that darkergreener website is sending me down the wormhole -- I could stay on it all day!

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ArtisanPopcorn · 09/07/2018 21:27

It’s great isn’t it?! Grin

drinkingteawhenitshot · 09/07/2018 23:08

AMAZING!

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