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Baby names

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

Which spelling?

76 replies

SquareSweetsThatLookRound · 05/06/2026 06:35

We are going to use Isabelle as a middle name but not married to any particular spelling yet. Which one do people like the most? Does it also depend on the first name?
Isobel
Isabelle
Isabel
Isabell

Thank you everyone!

OP posts:
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rollerblind · 05/06/2026 20:38

Isobel

timoteigirl · 05/06/2026 20:39

Civilsociety · 05/06/2026 20:29

Why do you think the first one is more historical?

Scottish royalty / noble origin women from 900 years ago. Isabelle and Isabella are more Spanish whereas Isobel is Scottish. It makes me think of Isolde / Iseult from Tristan & Isolde.

Firebird83 · 05/06/2026 20:54

Depends on the first name, but generally I prefer Isobel.

Ohgoose · 05/06/2026 20:55

Isobel or Isabel (prefer with an o.

Really don’t like the belle ending.

sanityisamyth · 05/06/2026 20:58

Isabelle

Giraffehaver · 05/06/2026 22:20

Isobel is so clean elegant and not over frilly

Groaaan · 05/06/2026 22:26

Isobel

viques · 05/06/2026 22:29

Isabel.

not Isabell

Pemba · 05/06/2026 22:29

timoteigirl · 05/06/2026 20:39

Scottish royalty / noble origin women from 900 years ago. Isabelle and Isabella are more Spanish whereas Isobel is Scottish. It makes me think of Isolde / Iseult from Tristan & Isolde.

That's not accurate actually. Yes Isobel is Scottish but Isabel is both Spanish and English. Isabelle is French and I think Isabella is Italian maybe.

Civilsociety · 05/06/2026 23:24

timoteigirl · 05/06/2026 20:39

Scottish royalty / noble origin women from 900 years ago. Isabelle and Isabella are more Spanish whereas Isobel is Scottish. It makes me think of Isolde / Iseult from Tristan & Isolde.

I don’t think that’s right at all.

And Isolde / Iseult is an unrelated name.

timoteigirl · 06/06/2026 08:03

Civilsociety · 05/06/2026 23:24

I don’t think that’s right at all.

And Isolde / Iseult is an unrelated name.

I said "it made me think" so how can that be inaccurate.

English version of Isabella is Elizabeth.

Amiacoolorwarmcolour · 06/06/2026 08:08

I like Isobel
lovely name whichever spelling you go with,

Amiacoolorwarmcolour · 06/06/2026 08:15

Isobel is the traditional Scottish spelling.
I believe Isabelle is the French spelling?
It’s derived from Elizabeth, or more precisely the Hebrew spelling of Elizabeth.
Timeless and classic.

Civilsociety · 06/06/2026 08:33

timoteigirl · 06/06/2026 08:03

I said "it made me think" so how can that be inaccurate.

English version of Isabella is Elizabeth.

Edited

No. It’s Isabel.

All the Isabel variants are different European versions of the Hebrew name Elizabeth.

Lulu1919 · 06/06/2026 08:49

Isobel

MarthaBerry · 06/06/2026 08:58

Isobel for me. I feel like a lot of bel ending names -that sounds rude, not intended, have more recently been with belle though en Annabel would be my spelling but I see Annabelle a lot. Likewise Aimee not Amy

user293948849167 · 06/06/2026 10:47

Isobel for me

iseenyouwithkefir · 06/06/2026 11:33

"Isabell" isn't a typo or mispelling (as I'm sure the OP knows, but there have been several gratuitously ignorant replies here.) It's traditionally used in both Danish and German - although Isabel and Isabelle are more common German spellings and Isabella more common in Danish. I personally wouldn't use Isabell in an English-speaking country unless it's traditional for you/your family or you're specifically honouring an Isabell.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 06/06/2026 14:20

There are 4 girls in my street by this name, all spelt differently

Isobel
Isabel
Isabelle
Izobel

I have listed them in my order of preference. My default would be Isobel.

SkippitySkoppity · 06/06/2026 15:17

Isobel is my least favourite.

I much prefer Isabel.

GreatThingsAwait · Yesterday 01:08

Isabelle as I love the Belle part.

mathanxiety · Yesterday 01:34

Isobel

FruAashild · Yesterday 09:29

I googled and in England the most popular variants are as follows:
Isabella
Elizabeth / Isabel
Isabelle/Isobel

SquareSweetsThatLookRound · Yesterday 10:15

iseenyouwithkefir · 06/06/2026 11:33

"Isabell" isn't a typo or mispelling (as I'm sure the OP knows, but there have been several gratuitously ignorant replies here.) It's traditionally used in both Danish and German - although Isabel and Isabelle are more common German spellings and Isabella more common in Danish. I personally wouldn't use Isabell in an English-speaking country unless it's traditional for you/your family or you're specifically honouring an Isabell.

I did a quick google of most common spellings in the UK. I do feel that one is a bit too European and people may think we have just missed off the e. Saying that my daughter’s middle name is Elisabeth and people do assume we have spelt that wrong!
Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts.

OP posts:
Clearinguptheclutter · Yesterday 10:28

Isobel is best
others are fine except Isabell

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