Freya, Flora or Isabel?

[kennetrose]

I'm past my due date and still struggling! My husband and I agreed a shortlist of three but he's said the final decision is mine. Partly because I've done all the work in growing the baby but also because I'm far more opinionated than him on names. To me things like name meaning are just as important as the sound of the name but he just likes the sound. Husband would be happy with any of these names, although his favourite is Isabel (nickname Izzy).

I'm not looking for feedback on the names per se but the pros and cons and how I should weigh them up. I'm clearly overthinking this massively! Any thoughts welcome.

Flora

• love the meaning and the history of the name. The fact it's connected to mythology and nature makes it the ideal name for me on paper. Also love the sound.

• I don't mind that it's a brand of margarine but I would hate for people's reactions to be (either to our faces or behind our backs) "like the margarine?". That said, when my parents told my grandparents my name after I was born they said it was a barmaid's name. It's naive of me to want everyone to love my child's name, someone will have something negative to say no matter what I'm sure (even if they don't say it to my face).
• I don't like Flo as a nickname and I'm not sure about Florrie, but I will inevitably give her a nickname because that's a habit I have.

Freya

• again love the meaning and history of the name. Makes me think of a strong powerful woman.

• it's so popular. I wish that didn't bother me but it does. However I don't have any reference for how popular it is. It's in the top 10 names but popular names these days are less popular than they used to be - eg. Olivia is the top girl name from 2021 and there were under 4000 babies with that name. Compared to the most popular name in 1996, Sophie, when there were 8000 babies with that name. I remember there being five Sarah's in my class at school one year but I don't think that would happen anymore.

Isabel

• it's Spanish on origin (husband is half Spanish, surname is Spanish)
• it goes with my favourite middle name, which Flora and Freya don't. I won't share the middle name because it's unusual and I don't want to dox myself. It's too unusual for a first name which is why I would only use it as a middle name. It's Manx Gaelic which reflects my heritage.

• don't love the meaning of the name. It's biblical which means nothing to us.

+ however I looked into the history and etymology of the name and I do love that. It also makes me think of a strong woman.

• not sure how I feel about Izzy as a nickname.

I know an Isabel whose nickname is Bella, so it doesn't have to be Izzy. Isabel (or Isobel) is lovely, as is Freya. Sorry but Flora does make me think of margarine and Florrie and Flo aren't great nicknames. What would the nickname be for Freya I wonder? Fray?

Ha...technically no, Isabella isn't in the running. But, i guess it's an option on Isabel. Whatever she is called, i have no doubt that it will suit her perfectly. So excuse my bit of artistic licence ! I was named after my mum and no thought went into it whatsoever, so it's nice to surmise.

My DD is Isabel so I am a bit biased! Her nickname is Bella.

I'm very biased because I have an Isabel. She's never been called Izzy. She's Belle to the majority which suits here because she's a little beauty. Her friends call her Isa which I don't particularly like. Good luck

Flora - just no. It’s a margarine brand.

Freya - is pretty but I have heard different pronunciations so put off a little.

Isobel - this is my preferred spelling, but loathe the nn Izzy.

They're all lovely names. No great objections to any at all.

However, we know so many Freyas and Isabels (many different variations Isabelle/Isobel/Isabella/Bella/Izzy) that they're both out for me, purely on the ubiquitous factor.

I think Flora is lovely. More unusual whilst being easy to spell and pronounce. It reminds me of Larkrise to Candleford. It's fresh, pretty but also short and strong.

I love flora so much. There's loads of Isabelle's at my baby classes atm. I'm not a fan. Freya is pretty but popular- although I haven't come across many lately!

I have a Freya and I love that she's a Norse goddess!
There is one more in her school.
I like Flora and Isabel too.

Isabel based on your reasoning. Could always call her belle if you don't like izzy

She was born Thursday evening and we’ve called her Flora 🙂

She just didn’t look like a Freya or Isabel in the end!

@kennetrose Congratulations. Beautiful name

Congratulations @kennetrose ! Welcome lovely Flora x

Congratulations! 💐

Congratulations! Good choice ;-)

My advice, don't look into the meanings of the names too much - unless it's really obvious (E.g. Grace, Hope) no one else will know or care. Go with what you think sounds the nicest. All nice names, Isabel is my personal favourite, Freya is also nice big sounds a bit like Frail. Flora is my least favourite of the three but still nice....I prefer Florence.

Congratulations and thanks for popping back - so pleased you went with Flora, it was by far my favourite.

Oh gosh. Should have read the updated thread! Congratulations.....I'm sure the name suits her perfectly!!

Congratulations! Flora is an absolutely beautiful name. I’m so glad you went with it in the end xx

Congratulations!

They are all pretty names although the popularity of Freya and Isabelle would put me off those personally. I really like Flora and would put it on my list but with my name being Laura i think it wouldnt quite work haha

@kennetrose I adore Flora.
Think the other 2 are overused/bit trendy atm.

My own DD name often appears on MN threads like "Names I wasn't brave enough to use" and generally include an unpleasant NN which she has never been called in her life and she is Uni age so the nicknaming phase is pretty much over. TBF it does also get a lot of compliments on here and in real life.

Once you pick it it will be your DD's and you won't care!