Ilsa/Ilse

[ladycarlotta]

My partner is really keen on the name Ilsa, like Ingrid Bergman's character in Casablanca. I think that people will automatically misread that as Isla, which could get extremely annoying. Does the alternate spelling Ilse create more problems than it solves?
Personally I'd be in favour of Elsa to avoid confusion but it seems that people really associate that with Frozen nowadays.

So that's ilsa? Sorry using a small letter to make it clearer. I might think Isla, I found it hard to spot that the first letter was I /i that might be a me thing! (I am dyslexic)

I'm sure I'd have no bother once I knew it.

Do you say it ill-sa (as in the start of Sahara)

Yes, it's ill-suh. I'm quite put off seeing how the i and l look so similar in this font!

I had to read it a few times and wasn’t sure about pronunciation too. I like it now I know how it sounds. I guess it’s how much it bothers you / potentially might bother your daughter having to explain pronunciation/ spelling?

I think quite a few people will misread it as Isla.

It’s a German name (probably also other countries). I love it.

I misread it as Isla at first. I think Ilse will change to pronunciation a bit, but it is a pretty name. If you’re not bothered about correcting people’s pronunciations and having spelling mistakes then go for it.
I have a very common name but it has multiple spellings and a few nicknames. I’ve spent a lot of time correcting spelling mistakes or making sure people don’t call me by the nickname and it never bothered me!.

What about Ailsa which is Scottish?

I like it. I also like Inge (In-ga)

My Latvian friend has ILZE as her middle name. I've always liked it. ILL-zeh

I see why people today would think it sounded like Elsa and looked like Isla.
Do you like the name of one of Ingrid Bergman's twin daughters ... Isotta.

It is much nicer than Elsa.

I know an Ilse living in the UK. It does tend to get mispronounced until corrected once and then it's very easy, I think it's a beautiful name really and would separate her from all the Isla's, Ella's around

I love both (and also bergman!)

Such a lovely name. I know an Ilse who has no trouble here once she introduces herself.

The Ilsa/Isla confusion might be annoying. If people think that's what they see it tends to stick more in the mind than simply not knowing whether you pronounce the /e/...

To me, Ingrid is even more beautiful than either if that's an option though!

oh gosh 🙈 I read it as Isla and had to reread when you didn't want it pronounced like Isla

I wanted to call my daughter this!

I quite like it but agree it will
get confused between Isla and Elsa - Ida or Ailsa might be more distinct

I think Ilse is beautiful.

It's beautiful but in the UK she will be permanently known as Ils, even though that is clearly wrong.

I could get people to pronounce the short -e at school, a bit at university, and since then not at all. Corrected once - no, over and over again to the point you just give up.

And my poor mum gets called another name entirely as people are so confused by her -e that they make it up.

Always liked Ilse. So feminine.