My [name]SIL[/name] is expecting her first baby - a girl. She loves the name [name]Isla[/name] but is concerned the spelling isn’t very intuitive. I told her I thought [name]Isla[/name] was actually the most straightforward for that name, but she’d like to hear other options if there are any.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
Other names she likes are:
[name]Ava[/name] - but is concerned with its popularity
[name]Layla[/name]
[name]Fay[/name]
[name]Lilly[/name]
MN likely to be [name]Marie[/name]. Thanks in advance!
I would suggest [name]Eila[/name], which is a Hebrew name meaning “oak tree” and pronounced pretty much just like [name]Isla[/name]. [name]Eila[/name] [name]Marie[/name] is sweet.
She might also like:
[name]Ayla[/name] (like [name]Layla[/name], of course, but without the first L sound)
[name]Aria[/name]
[name]Elena[/name]
[name]Elyse[/name]
[name]Lucy[/name]
[name]Ivy[/name]
[name]Eve[/name]
[name]Eila[/name] / Aila would be my suggestions but I agree - [name]Isla[/name] does seem the most simple and straightforward, if not for any other reason than that is the most popular form here in the US.
I really like [name]Isla[/name] and I know a little girl called [name]Isla[/name] [name]Marie[/name]. I suggest [name]Ella[/name] which might be a little bit popular but I like it.
I’d pronounce [name]Ayla[/name] like [name]Kayla[/name] without the K, not like [name]Isla[/name]. I have a feeling that’s how most people would pronounce it so if she’s looking for a more straightforward spelling of [name]Isla[/name], I don’t think [name]Ayla[/name] is it.
[name]Isla[/name] is pretty much it, I think. Sure, some people might get it wrong (because I’m sure we all know people who pronounce island like is-land, not eye-land) but most people [name]WILL[/name] pronounce it like eye-la.
I like the suggestion of [name]Ayla[/name]-like-[name]Layla[/name] and [name]Ivy[/name].
Although I prefer [name]Ayla[/name], I think it’s more likely to be pronounced as in [name]Kayla[/name] or [name]Layla[/name]. All spellings or different names will most likely be butchered, but I’d go with [name]Isla[/name], because more people will think of the long ‘i’ as in ‘island’ or ‘isle’.
On a different note, I adore [name]Fay[/name]. It’s a beautiful name that seems vintage and will age well [name]IMO[/name]. It’s also less common than her other favorites (though [name]Isla[/name] isn’t that high, it’s rising fast).
Thanks for the replies! I tentatively suggested the spellings Aila, [name]Eila[/name] and [name]Ayla[/name] to her but mentioned that they all would be likely to be misspelled and mispronounced. ([name]Both[/name] my son and I have two vowels next to each other in our names and people seem to find that very confusing for some reason!) And I also think those spellings look more like “[name]Kayla[/name] without the K” than “eye-la”. My [name]MIL[/name] likes [name]Ayla[/name] (prn like [name]Kayla[/name]) better lol! Her two best friends both hate the name [name]Isla[/name], but she loves it so much. I told her it’s her baby and therefore her choice! Last name is Irish and starts with Mc btw. Would love any more suggestions or opinions.
ETA: aurra - I also love the name [name]Fay[/name] and had it on my list for DS had he been a girl! I still love the name but DS’s name is actually far too similar to consider it for future children. I’m not sure if that matters to my [name]SIL[/name] or if she’s even thought of that, but it doesn’t bother me.
But yeah, I think [name]Isla[/name] is the most straightforward too.