Isla vs Sydney

See the results of this poll: Baby girl first name: Isla vs Sydney

Respondents: 16 (This poll is closed)

  • Isla : 13 (81%)
  • Sydney: 3 (19%)

I personally prefer [name_f]Isla[/name_f] to [name_u]Sydney[/name_u].

Pronouncing the name could be a problem for some, but I would not let that keep you from using it as the name is not that out there!

My name is one that is hard to pronounce from its spelling but it has never been an issue for me - most people say my name from hearing it, not reading it. For occasions where my name was/is said wrongly by someone who has read it, I simply ignore it if a once off or corrected it. But, most people soon realise how to say it by default.

I don’t think [name_f]Isla[/name_f] will be much of an issue for people to pronounce correctly. Especially since its picking up in popularity.
I like both names. They are a much different feel though. [name_f]Isla[/name_f] is light and delicate to me, ultra feminine. Maybe its a bit modern and runs the risk of being dated. [name_u]Sydney[/name_u] is a bit more edgy and spunky. Its one of the few unisex names I really really like for a girl. But I have noticed on this forum it doesn’t get much love. People often comment its dated, 90s i think. I’m in [name_f]Canada[/name_f] where, at least where I live, its never ever been popular so its not dated, i’ve only known one, she was two and it was soon darling and refreshing to meet a baby girl [name_u]Sydney[/name_u].

I think [name_f]Isla[/name_f] [name_m]Fisher[/name_m] is popular enough that people will recognize [name_f]Isla[/name_f]… Of course, there are going to be random people that have no clue and pronounce the s but hey, I feel like that’s sorta the problem with most names, so… That said, I think [name_f]Isla[/name_f] is by far the lovelier name.

I love [name_f]Isla[/name_f]! I think [name_f]Isla[/name_f]'s been used enough lately that, unless you’re in a place where Spanish is spoken more often than English, you shouldn’t really have a problem with [name_f]Isla[/name_f]. Especially with the popularity of [name_f]Isla[/name_f] [name_m]Fisher[/name_m]! [name_u]Sydney[/name_u]'s a fine name–and I know a [name_u]Sydney[/name_u] that I love very much!–but I do prefer [name_f]Isla[/name_f] by a mile. I love [name_f]Isla[/name_f] a lot. I think it’s gorgeous. :slight_smile:

Good luck!

I strongly prefer [name_f]Isla[/name_f]. I think a few people may pronounce it wrong or spell it wrong, but it should be fairly recognizable and it’s simple to spell and easy to say, once you know the right way. I think it’s very classy but still fresh, a substansial but short and pretty name, and see few cons to it.

[name_u]Sydney[/name_u] I do think of as quite dated, I dislike the use of the Y to feminize what I see as a very masculine name ([name_u]Sidney[/name_u]), I don’t care for place names unless that place has some personal meaning (like you had your honeymoon in [name_u]Sydney[/name_u]), and I don’t think it ages particularly well. I have trouble picturing it on anyone older than a teen or college student.