Changing babies name at 9 months

[jabice]

Ok so we called our youngest a really, really common name. We didn't realise at the time that it was in the top 5 until we had been calling her this name for about a month.

No other name suited her. We kept trying to think of new names and to be honest, I was so hormonal that it brought me to tears to think of changing her name.

Anyway, now I keep thinking that we've made a mistake. There is a name that we really liked for her, but when she came out it just didn't suit her. I'm now torn as to whether to consider changing her name.

We've had loads of personalised gifts with her name on etc and it feels way too late to change her name, but I'm starting to regret the name we have called her. Any advice??

Isla's numbers have fallen each and every year since 2014 when it peaked.
It's on a very downhill slope if you look at the official statistics
Be careful considering another name that could well end up overtaking Isla in a few years as Isla falls down the chart!

By the way I think Isla is beautiful, there was 1,000 less Isla's born in 2019 than there were in 2014 and that trend looks set to continue

Do you know of many Isla's @jabice or is it just from what you may have seen commented on here in past threads? Many of us in here are more invested in names being common or not than the average person so I'd keep that in mind

I'm another one with a very popular mid-70s name, and at least two other people in every school year - it hasn't blighted my life anywhere near as much as being called Pepper-Räe would have done.

Isla's a pretty name and if it suits her, that's all that matters. It isn't names that make people unique in this world; it's their personality.

I agree with others. If the only reason you're considering changing is because of popularity then I wouldn't do it. Names, in general, are becoming more varied so it's possible she'll be the only one with her name in her class.

I think it's a bit late to change it at 9 months also if you like the name and it suits her it doesn't matter how popular it is 💗

I thought it might be Isla. It is very very popular, but I wouldn’t change it at 9 months.

@Danu2021 Fwiw I'm Scottish and know quite a few Eilidhs... though none pronounce the name as eye-lee as you've suggested, all aay-lee (rhyming with lay-lee). It is lovely though.

OP, I adore Isla, and have for years. I'm quite aggrieved at how popular it is now too! But it's a beautiful name, don't change it.

One of the Islas we know was known as la la when she was little because my dd couldn't say it. I miss hearing about dd2 fun with la la.

same happened to my parents, didn't realise my name was the number one baby name of my year, thought about changing it but stuck with it now legally I have hyphenated my first and middle to stand out more in work etc and by close friends and family go by a nn

If think Izzy / Issy for a nn but it might also end up being Something really random. Or she'll go to school and there will be none in her class.

I really think changing a name simply because it's a popular name is a ridiculous idea!!! Is there another reason or is that it?

Isla is lovely and being popular means other people agree. Do you think everyone called Dave or similar is judged because its such a common name?

I love love love the name Isla, OP! It's so beautiful. I know from the statistics that it's popular but I don't actually know any little Islas where I live. It's definitely not everywhere as Olivia, Sophie, Sophia seem to be. I wouldn't change it!

Lovely name and I wouldn’t say that common. Keep going and in time a nickname may naturally appear. Many of our friends had nicknames from school and they’ve stuck into adulthood.

Delilah

I think 9 months is too late to change a name. Now I hear it's Isla, no way would I change it! It's such a lovely name, short, neat and pretty, and I love it. I've never actually met one, would you believe. I don't think popularity matters that much anyway.

There are no Islas at my sons' primary school. It's a lovely name!

I only know one Isla. It’s a lovely name.

Isla is a lovely name with nice connotations.
I had a very popular name and like most children liked not standing out from the crowd .My DH had an unusual ( but well known and easy to spell) name that he always resented his DM for choosing. He felt that it was for her vanity and not thinking of he having to live with it.
You chose a name you love that suits your daughter , on top of which your 3 yo would find it very strange to have the change now,
I wouldn't change it .

I know lots I’m afraid. Scotland.

I wouldn’t change it if you love it, but do consider the ideas of hyphenating with a middle name (pp suggested Isla-Rose) or having a middle name that she could change it to in the future if it is too popular in your circle,

Unlike other pp I still find it frustrating that there are a number of other peapottters in my social circle. My cousin changed her name as a teen as it was too popular. It may not happen but a nice middle name would hedge your bets.

I think Isla is a beautiful name

This seems like it would be unnecessarily confusing for everyone!

It’s a lovely name

It would be different if you hated it, but who cares if it’s popular.

Nine months isn’t too late, lots of babies are known by a nickname at that age anyway and grow into their actual name later. If you prefer the other and it’s going to bug you then change it, but not just for it being a popular name. What does her other parent think?

Ds is Thomas, there was only one other Thomas in his year at primary & only two in secondary. Friends & teachers insist on calling him Tom & both me & him hate it, I have always called him Thomas, it is the name he was given, if we had wanted him to be called Tom then that is what we would have named him.

Isla is a beautiful name and I have only ever met one girl with the name. I certainly wouldn't be changing the name or trying to use any different nicknames.