We are going to name our daughter (arriving soon) after two great grandmothers. Her first name will be [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] (we know it is popular…). However we are thinking of spelling it [name_f]Isabela[/name_f] in honor of one of her two great grandmothers ([name_f]Isabel[/name_f]). What do members think of that alternative spelling? [name_m]Will[/name_m] she forever be correcting the spelling of her name?
[name_f]Isabella[/name_f] vs [name_f]Isabela[/name_f]?
Between [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] and [name_f]Isabela[/name_f], I much prefer [name_f]Isabella[/name_f]. Between [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] and [name_f]Isabel[/name_f], I much prefer [name_f]Isabel[/name_f]. Between [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] and [name_f]Isabel[/name_f], I slightly prefer [name_f]Isabel[/name_f].
It’s popular, sure, but also a beautiful name and you have a great reason for using it. Personally, since you’re changing the name/spelling anyway (going from [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] to [name_f]Isabel/name_fa) I’d just make it easier and spell it [name_f]Isabella[/name_f]. I think since you’re adding the syllable at the end anyway, [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] honors great-grandmother [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] just as much as [name_f]Isabela[/name_f] would.
I think she would end up correcting spelling and pronunciation. I would pronounce [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] Is-a-[name_u]BELL[/name_u]-a and [name_f]Isabela[/name_f] Ees-a-BEY-la. But if you really prefer [name_f]Isabela[/name_f], I don’t think having to correct strangers from time to time is going to traumatize her or anything!
Definitely [name_f]Isabella[/name_f]. [name_f]Bella[/name_f] means pretty and I like that part. [name_f]Isabela[/name_f] looks weird to me.
I’d go with [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] - either way it would logically work for honoring an [name_f]Isabel[/name_f], and going with the “standard” spelling will probably mean less hassles for her later on. (Now if you had a specific reason for the [name_f]Isabela[/name_f] spelling I’d say go ahead and use it, but when either one would work I prefer [name_f]Isabella[/name_f].)