Just how common is Isobel then?

[Muser]

Go on, how many Isobel/Isabel/Isabelle's do you know? Is it so common if I shout the name the entire female under-5 child population of South London is going to look up?

I know of three, none spelt Isobel though.

It's a fab name and popular for good reason!

I'm in Herts btw.

I'm a Bounty lady and Isobel (and variations) are extremely popular. Is ok if you want your DD to be known as Isobel A (or whatever)!

Not many in South Wales
Was my fave girls name but had boys
I love it and love that spelling of it

I know loads.

It looks less popular in Scotland, going on the stats. And as my longer term plan is to escape to Scotland (woo) I might just get away with it.

Just need to stop thinking of that annoying one out of Hollyoaks when everyone shortens it to Issy.

Lots here in Devon too.

Think Isobel is less common (as in frequent) than the others.

My Isobel has been known as Bel since about 6 months but is affectionately known as Billie as I soon stamped out Belly when the older 2 DDs started that.

Not keen on Issy though.

I think I would go for a Bel shortening. Athough my mum's cat is called Belle. Possibly Bea. Gets me away from Issy!

It's popular in East London nurseries ... if you care about popularity don't choose it.

If you love it and the various forms it will be shortened to then go for it

I know loads, but none spelt Isobel

dd2 is Isabel and there are two Isabelles in her class, so that's 3 out of 12 girls. There are more Isabel(lle)s in the year above and below.

None of them are Bel(le) though, all Izzy (which I like, so that's Ok with me)

Quite a few, but because it's a lovely name not because it's the name of the moment iyswim.

My middle name is Isobel, and I have always loved it - much better than my first name. Never come across another spelt the same way.

Isobel is unusual, but all the other variations add up, especially Isabella (in the top 10 for the last few years):

www.babynamewizard.com/voyager#prefix=IS&ms=true&sw=f&exact=false

I like it a lot. It's quite popular here, but not that spelling (which btw is my favorite )

I think if you add up all of the variation spellings then it's pretty popular, look on the top 100 names and all of the variations are there.

I love it though, it's dd's middle name with that spelling.

I read somewhere recently that if you added up the various spellings of is(a|o)be(l|ll)(-|e|a) it would actually be the number 1 girls name in England and Wales at the moment. More baby Isabellas than Isobels around here there.

I know one Isobel, one Isabelle and one Isabella. All known as Issy!

I know about 6, including one called Ysabelle.

there are 2 (previously) 3 in my daughter's class in school - including her (she is Isabella).

It is fairly common in her age group (6). A lovely name though, although I'm not sure I would have used it had I realised how common it was.

Lots and lots of Isabellas, fewer Isobels (which personallly I much prefer anyway Isabella is abit fussy IMO)

I know 4 Isabellas, one Isabelle, two Isabels and one Isobel. All under 10 yrs old and all Londoners except the Isobel, who's in Glasgow.

I still think it's a pretty name, though. That's why it's so common. It's like Olivia. Common because it's lovely

I am 67 and when i was little my name was very rare, now it's seem every other little girl is called Isobel. My mums sister was Isabel and their Grandmother was Isabella.