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!

Lovely. I know one in her early twenties.

Only person I’ve ever met of that name told me that she’d always hated her name. Wished she’d got a normal name like Isobel.

I like it. It reminds me of Trebizon but I also think it’s stylish.

@CloseYourEyesAndSee

It's awful! Sounds like someone trying to say isobel whilst pissed Sorry - it might sound nice in a highlands accent but otherwise no

This.

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.

Or have a different nickname for Marks and Spencers, there was an entire thread derailed because some English posters took umbrage at the OP calling M&S Markies. Markies.

I'm assuming if you're posting on a baby name thread, it's because you want a wide variety of opinions on the name.

To all those people saying that those who don't like the name are stupid/ignorant... What is the point of the thread if we all say, yes that sounds nice for you?

It sounds like a sneeze in my accent. I do not like the name at all.

I am not from the Midlands and I do not live in a new build.

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

I know a Senga and know of a Senga - both in their 60s. It's an actual name, not just a nickname - it's Agnes spelt backwards. Quite why, I don't know.

Love it

I don’t like it but it’s probably because your asking. If you was to say here’s my child ishbel, I wouldn’t batter a eyelid.

I went to school with an Ishbel, I love it and considered it if we had a daughter

I really don't like it at all sorry.
Isabella is a million times better imo.

@OuiOuiBonjour

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.

Totes!

@ChessieFL

I like it, but everyone will think it’s Isabel spelt/pronounced wrongly.

There’s an Ishbel in the Trebizon boarding school books, known as Tish. That’s the only place I’ve come across this name!

Tish was cool, curly-haired and multi-talented, too!

What perichristmas said.

Annabel
Mirabel
Christabel
Clarabel

I think it's a beautiful name and I've heard it used but never met one.

@ManifestDestinee

She would face a lifetime of having to state her name 7 times and argue with people who get it wrong over and over again. Don't do it.

Thai comes up a lot. I have a rare name I always have to spell it pronounce but it isn’t the big issue everyone on MN makes it out to be. It’s a non issue

Oh I don't agree @BedTed I have an unusual name prone to being spelled incorrectly. I have found it tedious for 61 years. If only I'd been called Susan. Nowadays I get a frisson of excitement in Starbucks when I tell them my name's Anna. I would be there forever if I told them my real name.

Awful. Sounds like a typo and she'll spend her whole life having to spell it.

Thai comes up a lot. I have a rare name I always have to spell it pronounce but it isn’t the big issue everyone on MN makes it out to be. It’s a non issue

Non issue to you. Some of us find it incredibly annoying.

I knew an Ishbel and she wasn’t Scottish. Beautiful name.

It’s a pretty name. I know a few, one of my oldest school friends is called Ishbel.

Can’t see the difficulty in spelling - it is spelt exactly as it’s spoken. Quite nonplussed by the dislike for the name on here.

First thought - oh sounds very jewish wonder if is from bible.

Second thought - sounds like a child saying Isobel with a lisp.

Third thought - it is very pretty though

Fourth thought - hm also sounds a bit like something a drunk person would say

Fifth thought - I’d never give my child a name they have to constantly explain/justify to people, not when there are so many other names to choose from

I'd say it as Ish-Bell.

When I just said it, it sounds like a young child trying to say Isabel. Not in a horrible way but it sounded exactly like that.

@Toddlerteaplease

Awful. Sounds like a typo and she'll spend her whole life having to spell it.

Why? You spell Ishbel exactly how you say it. It is far easier to spell than common English names such as Claire and Catherine etc, that have loads of variant spellings. Or is that your prejudice peeking through - it is not English so it looks like a typo. Honestly, try opening your mind and letting some thoughts flow in.

I know an adult Ishbel and it really suits her. There are so many Isobel, Isabel, Isabella variations round here it makes a nice change.