Is the spelling Isobel too confusing?
We like this spelling better because it’s my grandmother’s middle name and my husband likes Scottish names.
I don’t want her to spend a life spelling out her name but then my husband says it doesn’t matter and people would just get to know her name/everyone has to spell out their names these days.
Also I know she could go by Izzy anyway if she really wanted to.
What do you think?
Nope, not confusing. It’s an established spelling and a name with significance. [name_f]Bel[/name_f] could also be a nickname. Go for it!
Depending on where you live it could be mispronounced a lot as Is-oh-bel. If that would really bother you then go with a different spelling.
[name_f]My[/name_f] daughter is [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] and lots of people ask if its [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] 
I love [name_f]Isobel[/name_f]! I think she could definitely do by [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] or Iz!
I can tell you are putting a lot of thought into this! Your concerns are coming from a caring place and I think you do have a point here. I have to spell my first name all the time for people and it gets tiring sometimes.
However, and this is where I think your husband has a point, many people have to spell out their names. Think about [name_f]Sarah[/name_f], which is arguably one of the most simple, recognizable girl names for [name_f]English[/name_f] speakers. I grew up with girls named [name_f]Sarah[/name_f] but my cousin is [name_f]Sara[/name_f]. She has to spell it frequently and you wouldn’t think she would have to. Variations, creative spellings, translations…it happens all the time.
[name_f]Isobel[/name_f] is stunning! It has a family connection and meaning for you and your husband. It seems like a great pick for you! For what it’s worth, [name_f]Isobel[/name_f] is probably my favorite way to spell this name. Some of the more common ones feel tired at this point but seeing [name_f]Isobel[/name_f] makes me smile.
I very much like that spelling. Go for it!
[name_f]My[/name_f] favorite spelling by far!! I love it! Please go for it 
[name_f]Isobel[/name_f] is my favorite girls’ name! I love her. 
Tbh any Isabelle/Isabel/Isobel is always going to spell her name since [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] and [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] are both so familiar. Everyone has a favorite variant and it’s often not the same. [name_f]Isobel[/name_f] seems special to you for several reasons so I would say go for it!
[name_f]Isobel[/name_f] is to [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] what [name_f]Elinor[/name_f] is to [name_f]Eleanore[/name_f], a sophisticated and streamlined version, equally as beautiful.
[name_f]Isobel[/name_f] is my favourite of the lot.
Don’t be worried about spellings, my sons have an easily recognisable name that I though only has one spelling but because of all the cre8tive parents out there, people still ask me how to spell the names and I even have to spell my own name, a top 10, 90’s name. I think most people have to spell their names the first time they’re doing something.
[name_f]Isobel[/name_f] isn’t too complicated. Might get spelled as [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] sometimes but [name_f]Isobel[/name_f] is well known
Maybe it’s different where you live, but Isobel is a well-known spelling in the UK. I know a couple of women who have this name with this exact spelling and there’s no confusion about the pronunciation. I would expect people to spell it as Isabel sometimes, but it’s not a huge pain to correct.
Again, it might be different depending on where you live. I know some languages like Spanish and French would emphasise the O sound rather than pronounce it as a schwa.
I actually prefer the [name_f]Isobel[/name_f] or [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] spelling, it feels less frilly and extra letters to me. I don’t think you would have any extra difficulties with this spelling versus all the of variations and spellings of this name. There are a lot of ways and I feel like I would ask how to spell it regardless to be sure I got it right.
I know it can be pronounced differently, plus all of the comments of such, but I feel like I say them pretty similarly-if not the same.
I do think it’s confusing if you’re not used to it but it’s still usable, especially as you’d likely have to elaborate on the spelling anyway because of [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] / [name_f]Isabel[/name_f].
I know an [name_f]Isobel[/name_f] nn [name_u]Izzy[/name_u] with these spellings! It’s not a huge hindrance in her life. Sure, when she tells people her name they assume it’s got a different spelling than it really does, but it’s not too confusing! [name_f]Isobel[/name_f] is a gorgeous spelling—definitely my favorite! I love love love that it’s an honor for your grandmother as well. Totally gorgeous.
I think it should work just fine! Like others have said, even names with only two options for spelling need to be spelled out - I’ve had to spell out my son’s name (Rhett) a few times already and he’s not even born yet 
Sometimes people guess it without the H or with only one T, but honestly I’ve only ever seen it spelled the way we’ve chosen.
[name_f]Isobel[/name_f] should be an easy enough correction as well, as there’s less spelling variations for [name_f]Isobel[/name_f] than say, [name_f]Kayleigh[/name_f] or [name_u]Haley[/name_u].
[name_f]Isobel[/name_f] is my favorite spelling of this name & I think it’s worth possible confusion to have a name that is significant to you & your family! It’s also a pretty well-known spelling IMO.
I don’t find it confusing at all. It’s my favourite spelling.
She would have to spell out her name but Isabels/Isabelles have to do that anyway! I love the [name_f]Isobel[/name_f] spelling
It is my go to spelling unless I want to reference Spain or Portugal, but then I am Scottish.
So my take would be that it is a common enought spelling.
I would also tend to pronounce [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] or [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] as ee-sa-bell, rather than Iz uh bell.
My name is Joye and I’ve had to tell people my name ends with an E, but it’s not a bother, so I wouldn’t about the spelling.
I absolutely love the meaning (and spelling) of Isobel!
Hope this helps! 