Isla too common?

[Londonlady1423]

Hi,

What are your thoughts on the name Isla? We like it as a possible name but looking at name statistics it seems like it's quite common at the moment which put us off.
Other names we like are Rose, Lucy and Hannah

It is a lovely name and I'm sure having so many didn't take anything away from its loveliness for you.

I think it's so hard to predict class names now as there are so many new names being used but as someone who shared their name with classmates I would prefer this didn't happen. I do like the other names and am starting to lean more towards Lucy which I feel is also quite popular but maybe not as trendy so won't be as bad if there are 2 in the class

I know 1 Iyla age 9 (spelled that way) & 1 Isla age 14

2 Hannahs, 17 & 25

No Rose, but 2 Rosies -40s and 60s

Can't stand Lucy, but know 2 - 17 & 50

Lydia - 1 in her 20s

Why can't you stand Lucy out of curiosity? I accept that not everyone will like the same names

I know LOADS of Islas. Every single ex pat scot for the last 10 years who has had a baby girl (almost).

It is very common yes. It also blends in with a lot of the similar short, ending in ’a’ names, Ava, Eva, Ada etc.. Lucy and Hannah are much more individual. I like Rose but know lots of Rosie’s.

We have 4 Islas in yr4 class and at least one per class throughout Primary here.

Lucy and Hannah though - quite retro names. I like them!

Would be too popular for me but everyone’s different, wouldn’t want her to be one of 3 in her class 😏

I think Isla is so common it will be this generation’s Emma. I know four women who were christened Emma in the 80s who have since called themselves something else because it was most so ubiquitous it wasn’t individual.

My cousin has recently called her baby Isla so of course I didn’t say this, but I know upwards of five Islas between 0 and 5.

Oh, and my sister (30) is a Lucy. I like it. Never common.

I don't like the name personally. It started increasing in popularity 16 years ago and clearly people haven't got enough of it as there's still loads of babies being named it. It's up there with all the Olivia's, Sophia's, Ava's.

I prefer Rose.

Isla is a nice name, but has definitely become one of the most popular names at the moment along with other short a ending names.

Unless you choose something very timeless or very unique, I think names always show something of an era. E.g. the Mai/May/Ray/Rei/Rae middle names were a trend for a while, just like Louise and Jane used to be the middle names of choice. One generation has Ian and Gary, another generation is going to be full of Theos and Noahs.

Neither of my kids have had an Isla in their class, nursery, clubs etc. One of their friends has an Isla as a sister. We know one Hannah under 10 and a couple of Lucy's. If you like a name I really wouldn't worry too much about popularity. I have a name that clearly dates me to the 80's and it's never bothered me.

It’s so popular! I’m in the south east and there are loads.. that and lily.

I know 3, aged 11, 8 and 1. I also know two sibling sets called Ava and Isla.

Its ok, but I think there are much nicer names out there. I’m a Lucy by the way lol

@Londonlady1423 - it's my mums fault

Any Lucy from childhood she called Lucy Lastic (loose elastic) and I just can't unhear it!

The Lucys I know are lovely, it's just the sound of it is like nails on a blackboard to me

All are really lovely names.
Choose your favourite.
My favourites are Lucy and Hannah.
Do you like Skye, Bridie?

Loads of Isla’s around my way. Not sure it makes a great name for an adult. And tbh it just makes me think of Isla Bryson these days, and that is a shame.

In Scotland it’s been in the top three for quite a while and every child’s party I see is Isla’s. So yes if you want to avoid a trend I wouldn’t.

I cant believe someone called their child Alba It’s an established name in other countries like Spain and so not necessarily named after Scotland.

I think you've hit the nail on the head when you say that Isla is more trendy. They are all relatively popular, all within the top 100 but Isla markedly more so and, while it has been popular for a good 15 years, sort of came from nowhere, whereas the others are definitely more classic. If you look at the stats:

Isla is currently number 3, with 43,100 born over 15 years (from 2006 to 2021, the latest year we have data for)

Lucy is currently number 85, with 29,225 born in the same period

Hannah is currently number 89, with 22,862 born

Rose is currently number 68, with 12,161 born

That being said - they are all beautiful names and only you can say if popularity or trendiness is important to you.

Wow thanks for putting in those stats, surprised that rose doesn't have more but think it's shot up and still in its way while the others are declining

I don’t think so. Rose has peaked and seems to be slowly falling. Remember that the other names peaked some time ago. I’d personally rather be ahead of the curve than behind it. My name is twenty years too old for me and I don’t recommend it.

I think Rose feels more popular because Rosie is very popular at the moment, and Rose is also a very common middle name.

Also there'll be a few Hannas around which will bump up the figures a little more. I only mention it because there's a Hanna in my son's class.

What about Iona, as an alternative suggestion? Similar to Isla, but not as popular.

Don't like Isla at all. I have never know one. I do like your other choices Rose Lucy and Hannah. Rose then Hannah then Lucy.