Help me narrow down the top 3, please!

[LissieC]

Hi Mumsnet community! First time mom here and being highly indecisive. Too many beautiful names to pick from and the stakes feel high. Would love your opinion and help narrowing down the top 3. Be honest, I know names are personal and subjective :)

1. Isabel (or Isabelle). Beautiful and charming. Does it sound good with the last name Campbell or too many ‘Bell’ sounds? Is it too common given the popularity of Isabella? I think I prefer the Isabel spelling because shorter and less likely to be called Belle/ Bella (I prefer NN Is/ Iz Issie/ Izzy).
2. Grace - simple, elegant, timeless. I love the NN Gracie. Is it too popular? Too sweet sounding? Anyone know a spunky Grace or are they predestined to be ‘graceful’?
3. Alice - I have always loved this name but not the obvious NNs of Allie or Al. My NN is Lissie so that is not an option imo. Anyone know other nickname options for Alice?

We have had unfortunate experiences with girls named Grace the ones we know are the opposite of their name in every way let’s just say that.

Isabel is so overused it’s lost all charm and you can’t use it with your surname anyway.

Grace Campbell sounds like Grey Scamble

I like all 3 but agree Isabel Campbell is a mouthful so would go Grace or Alice (Alice Grace is pretty). Don't think you really need to shorten Alice, she might decide on a nickname when older

Alice Grace is too 'ce'/ss and makes me think of disgrace.

Alice Campbell sounds the best of the three to me. I agree with PP that Alice Grace has too much sibilance to be pleasing.

In answer to one of your questions, I know an incredibly spunky Grace at my school - she dyes her hair all kinds of different colours (currently black and blue), has piercings and recently got suspended for calling one of my colleagues a “f-ing idiot”. Aside from the obvious issues with the last example there, I absolutely love her - she is funny and street smart, and she keeps the boys in line when they upset her or her friends.

In terms of the actual names though, I think Alice goes best with Campbell, although I really like all 3 names.

They’re all nice and perfectly fine to use.

I like Isabel best and I don’t mind the combination with Campbell.

Alice doesn’t need a NN but you could go for Ali.

Grace is my least favourite, bit boring I think.

It funny because where I live we had tremendous problems with some of the children - mainly boys but some girls. One of the ring leaders was called Gracie.
But it hasn't put me off the name at all. In fact I used to think that she obviously had problems, and probably problems at home, but she was blessed with such a beautiful name. And that her parents loved her enough to give her a beautiful name.

Grace Alice Campbell is a gorgeous name!

Grace is the best with your surname. I think all your choices are quite strong good names.
i like your spelling of Isobel best. Not as keen on Alice but like the shortened Ali.

I like Isabel but I do think too much of the ‘bel’ sound. However if u really do love it a lot more than the others then go for it. You’re going to be walking around calling her Isabel, not Isabel Campbell. I have this dilemma with a boys name. I like Lucas but our surname begins with Cas so wondering if that’s too much ‘Cas’!
I think Alice Campbell sounds lovely and wouldn’t go for a NN. But saying Allie is not shortening it anymore so no need

Ali Campbell was the singer in UB40

Grace Alice is too hissy but middle names aren't used much.

Isobel wasn't in the OP.

In the real world, you will be Firstname Surname, especially if your first name is a common one. Hardly anyone is just Firstname.

My preference ..

Alice Campbell 10/10
Grace Campbell 9/10
Isabel Campbell 7/10 too many bells

Catherine - Cate
Clare

New name for the short list! Thoughts on Julia? I would call her baby Jules or Julie so i'm happy with the nicknames. It feels classic and elegant to me without being TOO popular. I think I would use the middle name Grace. This was on our longer list and based on some of the comments i'm revisiting that list :)

1. Julia Campbell; Julia Grace Campbell
2. Isabel Campbell
3. Alice Campbell
4. Grace Campbell

Julia Isabel Campbell

Grace is really boring as a middle name. Sorry.

I really like Mary as a middle name.

Julia Grace Campbell is lovely.
And it gives her loads of good choices when she is older as to what she wants people to call her.

Julia is quite nice (I prefer your other name ideas though)

Alice or Julia. Neither need nicknames. All the Alices I know are called Alice and one Julia is called Julia, the other is known as ‘Tosh’ for reasons lost in the mists of time.

Julia is beautiful and goes well with your surname.

Do you like Tessa?

I think Julia is a bit old fashioned. I much prefer the other three names. One name I did always think was nice that’s similar is Julietta. Then can be Jules or Etta for NN

Julia Campbell is lovely!

And although Grace is a popular middle name, that shouldn’t be a reason not to use it. I personally love the middle name Rose, which is equally very popular, and would have used it if I’d had a girl.

I think so many names work with your surname. If you’d like other ideas…

Joanna Campbell
Sophia Campbell
Nina Campbell
Maria Campbell
Lucy Campbell
Lily Campbell
Emily Campbell
Melissa Campbell
Miranda Campbell
Matilda Campbell

Isabelle is lovely but doesn’t really work with Campbell IMO. Alice Grace works well 😊