Is Isabelle Too Common?

[Caribun]

Hubby and I are expecting DD2 in January. DD1 is Natalie (Tilly) and we think we've settled on Isabelle (Izzy) for DD2 but now we're worrying that Isabella is so common that there are going to be hundreds of Izzy's or Belle's in her year.

Would this bother you or should we stick with it? It's the first name we've managed to agree on! 😂

Also, thoughts on the middle name Adelaide? The other option was Ellen but Isabelle Ellen seems like too many e's and l's in a row!

There are two in my daughter's pre-school class (one Isabelle and one Isabel). She's 3. My niece is also called Isabelle and she's 15. I do think it's very popular but if that doesn't bother you then go for it.

It's way way less common, Natalie is a great name.
Isabelle very meh due to its popularity.
Not keen on Izzy.

personally I don’t find names being popular an issue, there is a reason they are popular but it depends if it’s something that bothers you.

Love Adelaide and if it’s a family name just go for it.

You have to tot up the combined spellings.

If you combined the Isabels, Isobels and Isabelles born in 2021 they would be at #14, coincidentally one place above Isabella as a name in its own right. That’s a lot of Izzys: too many for me but not necessarily for you.

Maybe go Isabel Adelaide so it's a bit short overall if you're worried

That’s great, but as the OP has started a thread specifically asking about popularity I think we can safely infer that it might be an issue for her.

I much prefer the Isobel spelling

Loads of Izzy's around here.

There are 4 in dd's 2 class year, along with a Bella and an Isabella. Age 7.

It is and it isn't, we landed on it because we both think it's beautiful (and I do prefer the Isabel spelling so I may push for it). We know a fair few parents etc. and hadn't come across an Isabel/ Isabella before but then realised it's high up in the common names which surprised us. I don't overly mind if there are one or two, much like Catherine's and Rachel's when I was at school I suppose, but if every other child is going to be called Isabel or some variant of, it puts me off it a little bit if that makes sense.

I don't mind her not being completely unique, we didn't choose Natalie for DD1 because it's uncommon but because we loved it, but I also don't want her to be lost in a sea of Izzy's.

I do like the idea of Adelaide as a first name, Natalie and Adelaide is quite sweet but Hubby wasn't that much of a fan.

Regards spellings, we do have French heritage, and Hubby has an Uncle who still lives in France who we see regularly which may have influenced our spelling choices, so we'll need to have a think.

Isabelle and Adelaide are both royal names - so neither can be common

We have an Isabelle who we call Izzy. We have friends with similar age kids. one is Izzy (just Izzy). I know a couple of 3-4 year olds called Isabellas but who care. its a lovely name and that's why its popular.

Go with what you love.

Also we are thinking of Tilly if we have another girl (though short for Matilda).

@caringcarer 's dog might be called Isabella literally 'is a bella' but the name doesn't mean that. It's a form of Elizabeth, meaning 'God is my oath'.

Isabelle is fairly common, but the combination of Isabelle, Isabella, Isabel, Isobel makes the name seem overused.

Natalie and Isabelle do well as sisters.

Isabelle Adelaide is long and complex in sound.
Other ideas ..
Isabeau Adele
Isabelle Ada
Isadora Adelaide
Isolde Adelaide
Eliza Adelaide
Elizabeth Adele
Izella Adelaide
Isotta Adelaide

So bored of it. Its appeal has been diluted through over use. Why does everyone pick the same few names? I would go for Adelaide that’s great don’t know any.

I think if you combined all the spellings it would be the most popular girls name, above Olivia.

I actually don't know any Isabelles and I have 2 children at school and worked in a primary school.

I’ve not come across any in any of my 4 DC’s classes.
DD’s name was number 3 in the year she was born and so far she’s encountered 1 other in her high school (180 children in the year), 1 in primary school (3 years below her though) and that’s it! I think that nowadays the spread of names is so large that even the popular names aren’t as commonly repeated as they were 30/40 years ago.

I'd go with Adelaide!

But if you want an 'Izzy' why not Isadora?

If I never hear any variant of Eve / Isabel / Olivia / Lily or Grace again I would be perfectly happy ! (Two older / mid teen girls in a girls school!). Good to hear different names