Isolde or Zelie?

[TIPosy]

Hello,

Pregnant with our fourth and just learnt today it is a little girl.

After Josephine, Iris and Theodore, we hesitate a bit. I’m french and my husband loves the name Zélie (pronounced Zay-lee), with also Isolde as a contender.

What are your thoughts?

Other contenders are Eleanor (but after Theodore?), Phoebe, Rose (but with Iris?), Florence, Beatrice.

Thanks. :)

Go for Isolde - absolutely beautiful name and you don't have a Tristan so no link as with the Roosevelts.

If you're looking for suggestions:
Estelle
Cecelia
Beatrix instead of Beatrice
Frida
Aphra
Vera
Ruth
Helena
Lydia

I like Phoebe too from your OP.

I came across the name Zelia today, which I presume is an anglicised version of Zélie. If you are in the UK you could consider that as an alternative (as people will likely pronounce it 'Zeely' whether you include an accent or not.

I have an e grave ( è ) in my married surname and everyone ignores it and pronounces the name wrongly!

If it's part of your children's heritage I don't understand the reticence to have a name that needs explaining. I do understand if you weren't French - then the complicated name might be a bit of a faff. I think both Isolde and Zélie are lovely names. I also say this as a mixed European who has spent the best part of my life explaining how to pronounce and say my name to English people. I also find it's only in England I have this problem. The most unsual places I've been find it easier to say my name than most Londoners. It's the whole silent letters, extended vowels, non-phonetic nature of English that makes it hard.

I think you (and she) would spend the entire time pronouncing either of those choices or spelling it.

Fron your list I love Josephine. My name is on your list of other contenders, and I keep meeting tiny people with that name which I adore but get confused in public places when people call their children and I think I'm in trouble

Isolde is beautiful
I have never heard of the othwe & probably would have (ignorantly) thought you’d made it up