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!

If you don't like Lara or Isabelle then I'd go back to Alice. It will grow on your DH once his daughter is named Alice.

Lara - definitely. Very international and makes me think of Dr Zhivago.

Therr are multiple Isabelle variants in my dd's
year at school, mostly shortened to Izzy, so I find it extremely dull. It is on a downward trend, but beyond school and into adulthood she would be one of multiple Isabel's in other environments eg work, and many would be older than her - so may end up being a name that sounds a bit older than her actual age.