See the results of this poll: Isabel or Isabelle
Respondents: 58 (This poll is closed)
- Isabel Cecilia : 43 (74%)
- Isabelle Cecilia: 15 (26%)
I much prefer the spelling [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] ([name_f]Isabel[/name_f] [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] is a gorgeous name!). It’s shorter and less frilly, which for me is a great quality. With so many Bellas in this world right now, an [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] becomes a much stronger and bold name. Also, [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] is a bit long, so the short first name helps to balance that out perfectly.
Congratulations on your little [name_u]Isa[/name_u]. Is that what you’re gonna call her?
[name_f]Lovely[/name_f] name 
I love the spelling [name_f]Isobel[/name_f].
I love [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f]! It’s my favorite girls’ name. 
I think [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] looks cleaner, but I love [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] so much as it is that I almost don’t mind the frilliness of [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f]. It’s daintier, sweeter.
As for why I prefer [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] to [name_f]Isabel[/name_f]… [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] always seemed cut-off to me, and I like the [name_m]French[/name_m] ties with [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] (my best friend was [name_m]French[/name_m]; I like that [name_m]French[/name_m] names remind me of her). [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] seems stronger; [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] seems sweeter. Both are sweet and strong, I think, but I just love the image I get with [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f]. I think she’s just lovely.
Good luck!
Thank you! I’m glad everyone seems to like the name. I think I’m partial to [name_f]Isabel[/name_f], but I’m worried people will think it is misspelled? I know there are so many Isabellas out there, I’m concerned it will look like we spelled it wrong, or worse, like its a “creative” spelling. I like [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] as well, so I’m so torn as to what to do. Any thoughts?
As far as nickname, I think most of the family will call her [name_u]Izzy[/name_u], but I love [name_u]Isa[/name_u]!!
[name_f]Isabel[/name_f] would never be considered a creative spelling, it’s a very well-used and well-established name. In terms of popularity, [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] and [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] went high on ranks because of the Twillight advent a few years back. Before that, [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] or [name_f]Isobel[/name_f] were the more popular alternatives, especially in the Latino community (not that it’s seen specifically as a Latino name. [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] is as international as names get.)
I think my concern is with my husband’s very traditional family. And did I mention opinionated? I can see them thinking it is misspelled. [name_m]Just[/name_m] wondering if anyone got that vibe at first glance. I think we are 90% set on [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] at this point, I guess I’m just trying to anticipate any potential confusion people who aren’t as familiar with the name may have.
I love [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f]! I prefer the [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] spelling for the simplicity. My favorite spelling is [name_f]Isobel[/name_f], but [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] is gorgeous as well.
I prefer the [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] spelling, and I wouldn’t think that people would think that it is a creative spelling. I like that this spelling is clean, and not frilly, because the middle name has the girly frilly feeling.
Personal preferences aside and just looking at how each spelling works with [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f], I prefer [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f].
I’m not sure why but it looks more feminine (but not too frilly), complete and right.
If you look at the social securities baby name site, the top 1000 baby names for each year are listed. [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] has always been in the top 1000 (the upper half actually) while [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] spent many years outside the top 1000 most popular names. That sort of timelessness couldn’t be considered a misspelling.
I spelled my oldest daughter’s name [name_u]Clare[/name_u] and my sister initially acted as if I had misspelled it. ([name_u]Clare[/name_u] is the traditional English spelling while [name_f]Claire[/name_f] is the [name_m]French[/name_m]). She quickly realized she was wrong and never mentioned it again.
[name_f]Isabel[/name_f] [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] is absolutely stunning. I adore both names!
[name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] is one of my favourite names but I think [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] looks nicer. Soooo vote for [name_f]Isabel[/name_f].
Thank you all for your input! It is so nice to hear that other people love the name as much as I do. My mother’s name was [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f], she passed away 3 years ago so this is our tribute to her. I have to admit I am still torn on the spelling, but it’s nice to hear that people like it both ways.
I also like [name_f]Isabel[/name_f], I think it’s more classy and timeless. People should generally be familiar with this spelling, as it is just as well used as [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] right now.
Families can be notoriously difficult when it comes to names. I would encourage you to go with the spelling that you and DH like the best. [name_m]Even[/name_m] if you get an initial reaction about the spelling that you don’t appreciate, you’ll know that they’re wrong and you can correct them, and that should be the end of that. Your little girl will have the name for so much longer than that initial introduction, and I think it’s most important that you are satisfied with it. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t let fear of unwelcome opinions influence the decision you make now.
Good luck!
[name_f]Isabel[/name_f] could never be considered a creative or alternative spelling, it’s the ORIGINAL!
Everything that came afterwards ([name_f]Isabelle[/name_f], [name_f]Isabella[/name_f], [name_f]Isobel[/name_f]) is a variant.
Personally, I’m not a fan of the name, but if I had to choose a spelling it would be the original every time.
A couple of the PP’s hit the nail on the head for me when they said that [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] looked cut off, or that [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] looked more complete. I think that is more my concern rather than [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] seeming misspelled… just that it may look incomplete to some people. Of course it doesn’t to me, because I have spent hours obsessively researching the names, but I wonder if it will be an issue. Also, I didn’t mention our last name is of [name_m]German[/name_m] origin, starts with a “W” and ends in “haus”. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you guys think that should have any bearing on which version of [name_f]Isabel[/name_f]/[name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] we choose?
I’ve always liked [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] better. It just seems short and cut-off almost to use [name_f]Isabel[/name_f]/[name_f]Isobel[/name_f]? [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] feels softer and looks prettier, in my opinion. It’s still a wonderful name regardless.
This is exactly my concern!! I worry it will look incomplete or shortened.
Congrats! I honestly think it looks nice either way, but since [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f] is already a bit frilly, I’d opt for the less frilly version of [name_f]Isabel[/name_f].