Ilsa/Ilse

[ladycarlotta]

DP suggested the name Ilsa the other day, like Ingrid Bergman's character in Casablanca, and I rather like it. However, I keep mis-spelling it Isla! Given that's the name of the moment rn, will poor Ilsa forever be mistaken for an Isla?

I wondered about using the alternate spelling Ilse, but I don't know if that's just too 'foreign'.

Definitely Ilse rather than Ilsa which looks wrong - misspelling of Lisa or Isla
She will go through life with misspelling & mispronunciation
Have you considered Ailsa which is very similar but will be far less muddled?

It is Ill-zuh.

No, that's a strange (ugly) anglicised version. It sounds much better in German imo.

Probably. I am not a german although I know one or two. I can only go by what I hear, which isn't necessarily what they are saying.
Generally I would avoid names from a different language or culture.
A German name I like is Rudi, but it sounds quite different to Rudy in German.

While we're on the subject of German names, is Angela in Germany pronounced without the ng-g sound. I think it should be Ang-el-anot Ang-gela. I know it isn't Anjela.
I'm asking any German readers, please.

@Wellysocksbox wow! that is a STORMING Ilse! All hail Ilse! I have a Clara who got up to similar WW2 hi-jinks - a name that is also on the shortlist.

@LucyFox Ailsa is lovely too. I'd even leave Elsa on the table, but idk if it's a bit overdone what with Queen Elsa.

I didn’t read it as Isla, and I really love it.

I think it should be Ang-el-a not Ang-gela

I can't hear any difference in your two versions It's pronounced Ang-eh-la.