Lara or Isabelle?

[MKWarrier]

DH and I had an original shortlist of names that I posted on here before. Of those names, I love Alice and also really like Jessica.

DH has now decided he doesn’t really like Alice and feels a bit meh about Jessica. He likes Lara and Isabelle (we haven’t discussed spelling of the latter, so it’s more about the sound of the name at this point rather than which version).

What are people’s thoughts on Lara and Isabelle? I like the sound of both, I’m just worried about the overall popularity of L names and Isabelle/Isabella at the moment. I don’t have a popular name, so I’m unsure how annoying it would be for DD to share a name / have a similar name to others in her class. Are these names just a bit meh?

We’ve been through the name lists so many times, and as our taste is quite classic, it’s unlikely we’re going to uncover a new name we both love at this point, so I think it’s going to be a case of one of us getting on board with the other’s ideas. DH has historically been the one to compromise on other unrelated issues, so I feel a bit like it’s my turn to compromise over this!

I wouldn't go with Isabelle, I have a niece who hates it, it's too long and flowery for her she generally goes by Izzy, she spends her life correcting people on how to spell it too.

I love both Lara and Isabelle - I don’t hear of many Lara’s where I am but Isabelle is very popular. I think if you chose Isabelle there would definitely be another in the class with the same name, but don’t think there necessarily would be with Lara.

Another option could be Clara? Clara is a beautiful name, and gives the option of the nickname Cece which I think is so cute!

I love Lara. But I like short, feminine, but not frilly/fussy names.

I would definitely choose Lara - a lovely, underused name that’s gorgeous for all ages. I love that it’s two syllables so doesn’t get shortened too.

Isabelle is lovely but there are so many of them around, particularly when you add in all the variants such as Isobel / Isabella, plus all the other children called Bella as short for other names or as a standalone name. However, my son has a top 5 name and he’s the only one in his school, so you could get lucky!

I like Lara best, there's twins in dd nursery called Lara and Emma both short and sweet.

Lara xx

Lara definitely out of those two!

I have an Isabelle and she hates her name. She’s grown up now and mostly goes by Izzy with friends/boyfriend etc. We hate this as don’t like Izzy and have never called her that. But that’s her choice now. I think Isabelle is a beautiful name. It wasn’t as common in the early 2000’s. More so now I guess. Lara is nice too.

Lara is a lovely name. I'd go with that
Shame he's gone off Alice, it's my absolute favourite( I had all boys)

I really like both and would find it hard to choose! I would say Lara is less common but you never know how these things turn out, my dd has two Ingrids in her class which I never would have expected, whereas there are no Olivias or Lilys. I personally was one of three Kates in my class and it didn't bother me really! I'd say just go with whichever you prefer

Lara is beautiful.

I have an Isobel and her middle name is Lara 😂 clearly we have the same taste! Would love to know your boy choices!

She has thus far never run into another one, but we knew we ran that risk when we chose it- although I think Isabella is vastly more popular, although that’s just splitting hairs tbh.

What I like about the name is that it could be Isobel if she was quite girly and Izzy if she was a bit more rough and tumble- so far she’s definitely an Izzy!

Definitely Lara!

Lara of those two.
But prefer Cara and Zara to Lara.

Both lovely names, go with whichever you prefer/sounds best with your surname. A child with any name could end up being one of two or three in a class.

They are both nice albeit popular..

isabelle! I’m staying away from Lara bc this girl I grew up with has put me off. Still prefer Isabelle nn I would choose would be Bel, Issy. If u don’t like how common it is maybe choose a nickname like bel or issy becuase the spellings aren’t that common

Lara also love Jessica

I have an Isabel. No others in her class or year for sure ( two class intake) and none I'm aware of in the entire school. There is one Isabella in another year. However, there's multiple Elizas, Esme's, and Millie's.

Lara

Lara

Both dull and overused but Lara less so. It feels weak to me though. Just a short pretty name with no solidity.

Isabel. But I'd spell it like that rather than add the flowery ending.

Lara. Gorgeous.

Lara