Thoughts on name Ishbel?

[Freya2456]

Couldn’t find much threads on this name. We have Scottish heritage on my mums side. I am quite fond of “belle” names but think Isabel is too common.

Have never known an Ishbel only heard of the name. Be good to get some opinions on it!

Sorry I immediately thought you spelt Isabelle wrong. 99% of people will think the same. Maybe Anabelle ?

This is a name that comes up fairly often on MN and it sets my teeth on edge every time. I really, really hate it as it's just so ugly sounding to my ear, and agree with the sentiment that it sounds like either a sneeze or a drunk person trying to pronounce Isobel.

FWIW to a pp, I'm Scottish (a Fifer), have never lived in a new build, am well travelled, academically sound and working towards a phd and I couldn't really give a fuck what people think of me/my name choices.

The mere fact someone is Scottish doesn't mean they have to like every Scottish name (Senga FFS!) or that we'd be terribly insulted if someone said they didn't like a Scottish name. Some names just don't sound great regardless of what the heritage is.

Also, if it's relevant to OP, in my Fife accent, Ishbel isn't quite a rhyme for the English/New Zealand Isobel/Isabel/Isabelle. It's more like "ISH-bul" with the L being a dark L as in the word "table". In my neck of the woods we'd also say "Iz-uh-bul" for Isobel but I know the more commonly used pronunciation outside of Scotland is "Is-oh-bell" (or "Is-uh-bell" for Isabel). So if you are looking for a "belle" type ending or even Belle as a nickname, I don't think Ishbel works in that respect.

There are lots of really beautiful Scottish and Gaelic names that would be less problematic imo.

How about this variation?

www.babynamespedia.com/pronounce/Iseabel

I like it. I knew one in the US. her parents were both scottish.

I also like Isabeau although that doesn't have the scottish connection.

I'm in the South West and I know two little Ishbels, so I'm used to it. It's not horrendous but I prefer Isobel.

Or women who live in the actual country the name originates from who just don't like it.

Not liking it is not the same as saying it is made up and you don't think it is a name, as some PPs did. They were the posters that were being refered to (hilariously) as 'not very well-educated, not well-travelled little women lIving in mean new-builds in the English midlands, living in terror of what the neighbours think' .

You don't have to wear a cap unless you think it fits you....

Sorry Op it's a no from me.
I remember one from school nicknamed pishbel. Why her parents thought Ishbel was a good idea I'll never know.

Yes, that was hilarious. I'm so glad that my Scottishness and plain old dislike of the name affords me protection from that insult. Phew.

@midsomermurderess

NZ has quite strong Scottish connections doesn't it? These threads always attract what I read as not very well-educated, not well-travelled little women lIving in mean new-builds in the English midlands, living in terror of what the neighbours think. Why would you be influenced by them?

What a stupid comment

What a stupid comment

I thought it was hilarious and apposite.

I don’t share your sentiment - but I find insults aimed at someone’s intelligence and area of residence somewhat odd. Still, humour is subjective (to a point).

@SirChenjins

I don’t share your sentiment - but I find insults aimed at someone’s intelligence and area of residence somewhat odd. Still, humour is subjective (to a point).

I find ignorant comments about non-English names pathetic and laughable and the posters deserved to be skewered with a rather brilliant characterisation of their petty little Englander approach to anything outside their very limited bubble.

@midsomermurderess

NZ has quite strong Scottish connections doesn't it? These threads always attract what I read as not very well-educated, not well-travelled little women lIving in mean new-builds in the English midlands, living in terror of what the neighbours think. Why would you be influenced by them?

Do you want to try again? There are some people you didn't manage to insult with that coment.

I love it! I also like Isobel, Isabel, Isabella but are they too popular for you?

Catriona? Eilidh?

I'm Scottish, live in the Central Belt and have never met a Senga.

"I have noticed that a lot of Scottish and Irish names are met with the response that they sound made up, when in fact they sound not-English.'

I've noticed that as well.

I'd assume she was Scottish. Not much beyond that to be honest — it's a name I have no strong feelings about either way.

I had a Great Aunt Ishbel. Always thought it was pretty.

I really like it OP, FWIW I really regret sticking to "safe" names for mine. They get called boring on here so you can't win! I also love Skye (sp?) as a PP suggested and if I had Scottish roots I'd consider it.

If it had been a rather brilliant characterisation I’d have agreed with you HeadNorth - but its somewhat scattergun approach missed the mark for me.

Regardless - Ishbel really isn’t the nicest name to come out of Scotland. Imo, of course.

@AbandonedCharacter

"I have noticed that a lot of Scottish and Irish names are met with the response that they sound made up, when in fact they sound not-English.'

I've noticed that as well.

Ditto. I must admit to have made a rash judgement in my head about some welsh names, not realising that e.g. 'Betsi' is the Welsh spelling of Betsy, and not someone trying to be Youneeq.

There's a huge lack of imagination, also borne out by poster's incredulity that names/words could be pronounced differently in a different accent, or people could have different words for knocking on a door, for example.

@AbandonedCharacter

I love it! I also like Isobel, Isabel, Isabella but are they too popular for you?

Catriona? Eilidh?

I'm Scottish, live in the Central Belt and have never met a Senga.

I don't think I've met a Senga either, but then it was never a proper name its a nickname for Agnes, and all the Agnes's I know are over 70.

Definitely nicer names to come out of Scotland than Senga or Ishbel.
And once someone comments Pishbel it could easily stick, Pishbels Pished.

I like it. Reminds me of a book I had as a child called "Ishbel's Cat".

I love it. I also know one in the southwest. I don’t think she’s ever had a problem with it, and certainly can’t imagine her having to repeat it 7 times to make herself understood .