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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Isabel, Isabelle, or Isobel?

24 replies

ThatSharpGreenTurtle · 29/04/2026 08:58

Which one do you prefer and why?

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ladygindiva · 29/04/2026 09:08

Chose Isabel as I don't like unnecessary letters being added, Isabelle is unnecessarily long. Isobel makes me think of Isobars so Isabel it is, which feels simple, phonetic and a bit more international to me. The other two are to me definitely french or Scottish.

Eenameenadeeka · 29/04/2026 09:44

I like Isabelle because it looks pretty and to me that looks more like how it sounds

Pugglywuggly · 29/04/2026 10:00

Just not Isabelle. Too faffy.

StationJack · 29/04/2026 10:08

Isabel is simpler.
Isabelle is too frilly, might as well use Isabella.
Isobel looks like a Scottish great-granny's name.

Not keen on Izzy or Bella.

Thistimearound · 29/04/2026 10:09

Isobel or Isabel. Isabelle is unnecessarily frilly.

Similarly, Annabel is so much better than Annabelle.

RaraRachael · 29/04/2026 10:25

Isobel is the usual spelling I see where i live but in 40 years I never taught one and don't know of any little Isobels.

Avantiagain · 29/04/2026 14:42

I prefer the look of Isobel. You can also just say ' with an o' and don't have to go into the 'with one l or double l and an e' business.

StationJack · 29/04/2026 14:50

I wouldn't say Isobel and Isabel the same and Isobel makes me think of Isobars and Isomers. It's a bit prim.

tarheelbaby · 29/04/2026 14:54

In the lift, leaving the maternity ward with DD2, I met another new mum who had named her baby that. After complimenting her and her new baby, I asked, just making conversation, which spelling she would use. Immediately, her husband leapt in, 'See!! See! What did I tell you!'

(I can't remember which one she had chosen; I think it was Isabelle)

CreativeGreen · 29/04/2026 14:55

Isobel

ShanghaiDiva · 29/04/2026 14:55

Isobel - because it’s beautiful.

hairstreak · 29/04/2026 14:58

I prefer Isabel.

There are the Z rather than S variants too, if you want some more options to consider...

caringcarer · 29/04/2026 15:10

Izzabella or better still Izzabella.

EmmaOvary · 29/04/2026 15:11

Ishbel?

Onefortheroad25 · 29/04/2026 15:13

I have an Isabelle. Never had any problems with spelling.

soontobeamama · 29/04/2026 15:54

What about Isabella?

Firebird83 · 29/04/2026 15:56

Isobel. I like the Scottishness.

LoudPlumDog · 29/04/2026 15:56

I’m an Isobel, but I do prefer it, less frilly, more classic

Ohpleeeease · 29/04/2026 15:58

I prefer Isabella. But of your options, Isobel.

muddyford · 29/04/2026 15:58

Isobel. Simple, elegant, easy to spell.

BoleynMemories13 · 02/05/2026 14:34

I prefer Isobel, but it's a nice name however you spell it. I've only ever taught one, despite the popularity on a national level in the 00s and 2010s, and that was about 12 years ago now. She was Isabel.

StationJack · 02/05/2026 14:54

muddyford · 29/04/2026 15:58

Isobel. Simple, elegant, easy to spell.

Yes, all you have to do is correct the Isabelle and Isabel spellings you'll get first.

LivingTheDreamish · 02/05/2026 20:16

I've always liked simple Isobel, such a pretty name doesn't need fancying up with extra letters.

bridgetreilly · 05/05/2026 02:09

Isabel.

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