Isolde, or... something else?

Emmeliney · January 2, 2021, 7:38pm

I’m expecting a third baby in [name_u]June[/name_u] (probably won’t learn the sex until then).

A contender from my last pregnancy was [name_f]Isolde[/name_f], but I couldn’t seem to decide on a spelling (I liked [name_f]Iseult[/name_f], but I also liked the pronunciation Ee-zold, which didn’t seem compatible). This time I would go with the [name_f]Isolde[/name_f] spelling, possibly with [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] as a nickname (no one but me thinks this works, but I think I could make it work).

But I’d also be open to other names that are international/European, a little literary sounding, ideally a little pagan but not [name_u]New[/name_u]-agey (by pagan I mean not saints names as I live in a Catholic country and wish to avoid those associations – my other girls are !vy and S!byl).

[name_f]My[/name_f] husband nixed [name_f]Isidora[/name_f] and [name_f]Daphne[/name_f], and I’ve nixed [name_f]Diana[/name_f] (this would be great, but I’m really not into the royal family and the new season of the Crown seems to underline that association) and [name_f]Minerva[/name_f] (this just feels a bit too much for me. I want to like it but don’t).

Any thoughts on [name_f]Isolde[/name_f], or other suggestions?

ethelmary · January 2, 2021, 7:40pm

Isolde is beautiful! It feels mysterious and elegant. I honestly can’t see how you get [name_f]Zelda[/name_f], and it’s not nickname-y so doesn’t really make sense to me.

What about [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f]?

rosepip · January 2, 2021, 7:42pm

Isolde is stunning and perfect, and you should use it.

These are some alternatives, but I don’t think you need one:
just Zelda
Ginevra
Iona
Juno
Flora
Gaia
Ines / Inez
Freya / Freyja / Freja
Cosima
Vesper
Clio
Mabli
Cyra
Livia
Morgana
Bronte
Thisbe

Emmeliney · January 2, 2021, 7:44pm

I guess it’s just two great names for the price of one!

The way I pronounce it is Ee-ZOHLD, so I have the z from [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] and then it’s just a vowel shift…but yeah, nobody else seems to think it’s as intuitive as I do, haha.

MaisieDee · January 2, 2021, 7:48pm

Why don’t you just use [name_f]Zelda[/name_f]? It’s a full name in itself and if you like it enough to use it as her every day name, why not just make it her full name? I also think it goes better with your other children’s names to be honest, as it’s vintage from the same era whereas [name_f]Isolde[/name_f] is more medieval/Arthurian in style ans I think quite different to the other two.

Emmeliney · January 2, 2021, 7:55pm

Thanks! I do like [name_f]Zelda[/name_f]… the video game thing gives me a bit of pause, just because I’m not familiar with it and I think it would be many people’s main connection to the name. Also not sure I can convince my husband of just-[name_f]Zelda[/name_f].

The [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] variants were popular in Medieval times, and ivy comes from an Anglo-[name_u]Saxon[/name_u] word, so I think they link up okay, but I agree that the first two have more of an Edwardian sound together. But I’m not massively bothered about sibling matching, so long as they don’t clash.

MaisieDee · January 2, 2021, 8:00pm

This is very true! I think these days the names [name_f]Sybil[/name_f] and [name_f]Ivy[/name_f] are associated with that kind of 10s, 20s era mainly because of shows like Downton. Separately not so much, but together they’ve definitely got that Edwardian vibe like you say, which I’m a massive fan of by the way. [name_f]Isolde[/name_f] is a gorgeous name, and definitely underused. I actually have a great Aunt called [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] so despite the video game, I can’t help but love it. Its definitely a quirky choice but I have a feeling it’s going to make a comeback soon!

Greyblue · January 2, 2021, 8:07pm

I love [name_f]Isolde[/name_f]! Bold and cool!!

Flora, [name_f]Sylvia[/name_f], [name_f]Helena[/name_f], [name_f]Corinne[/name_f] and [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f] came to mind

sierrajade · January 3, 2021, 4:35am

I love [name_f]Isolde[/name_f]! It is my favorite variation of the name as well. If you like [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] as a nickname, maybe you could just use [name_f]Zelda[/name_f]! It feels strong enough to be a stand-alone name, and I’ve heard more people associate it with [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] the Teen Witch than the video game lately. The only similarity I see between the two names is the “z” sound, so [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] is not an intuitive nickname for [name_f]Isolde[/name_f] to me.

18_25 · January 3, 2021, 6:16am

Just go with [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] honestly. [name_f]Isolde[/name_f] is a pretty name but everything you’ve said kinda indicates you like [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] better.

TDFM · January 3, 2021, 6:53am

I agree with others, I think you should just use [name_f]Zelda[/name_f]. It doesn’t seem at all intuitive as a nickname for [name_f]Isolde[/name_f] to me and it goes so well with your daughters’ names. I also don’t personally think of the video game but rather [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] [name_m]Fitzgerald[/name_m]. Someone else suggested [name_f]Flora[/name_f], which I also think is gorgeous and perfect with your kids’ names! [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f], [name_f]Nell[/name_f], [name_f]Olive[/name_f], [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f], [name_f]Violet[/name_f] (or even [name_f]Viola[/name_f]), [name_f]Margaux[/name_f], [name_f]Willa[/name_f], Frida, [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and [name_f]Marigold[/name_f] would also be great.

Dechen · January 3, 2021, 7:15am

I have to agree with pps that [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] is a perfect fit here. I also think [name_f]Isolde[/name_f] works very well with your daughters’ names, although I wouldn’t personally use [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] as a nickname - to me it feels more like a different name entirely than an intuitive nickname for [name_f]Isolde[/name_f].

That being said, you should do what feels right for your family. I’m just one of those people that likes one nickname proof name … For others nicknames of all kinds are the best choice.

ethelmary · January 3, 2021, 7:21am

Should I be honest? I assumed you were pronouncing it ee-zohld-uh… makes even less sense this way. Sorry! I just can’t see why: both are 2 syllables so not a shortening, [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] doesn’t sound nickname-y so not a cutesy nickname… why not just [name_f]Zelda[/name_f]?

Emmeliney · January 3, 2021, 8:53am

Thanks. I’m with you on nicknames being organic and kind of all over the place. [name_f]Ivy[/name_f] is actually my daughter’s nickname, based on meaning (think [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] for [name_f]Margaret[/name_f]).

Zelda is definitely going to be the nickname, not the stand alone. I like it fine as a name but I don’t think my husband would be on board (he would want to use [name_f]Griselda[/name_f], gah). I see it more as an added bonus to [name_f]Isolde[/name_f], but if it doesn’t stick, it doesn’t. [name_f]My[/name_f] kids are used to having two names, and [name_f]English[/name_f] one and its equivalent in their father’s language, so I think it could be made to work.

katinka · January 3, 2021, 9:12am

I absolutely love [name_f]Isolde[/name_f]! I love [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] too, but I definitely think softer, mystical [name_f]Isolde[/name_f] works better with your older girls’ cute, cool, slightly ethereal names.

Have you considered the Cornish variant of [name_f]Isolde[/name_f], [name_f]Eseld[/name_f]? It’s pronounced ESS-eld, so very close to your preferred pronunciation of [name_f]Isolde[/name_f] (which I would naturally pronounce ih-ZOL-duh, by the way).

Isidora, [name_f]Daphne[/name_f], [name_f]Diana[/name_f] and [name_f]Minerva[/name_f] are all great, but only [name_f]Daphne[/name_f] feels like a perfect fit with your girls to me. I agree that [name_f]Minerva[/name_f] (and [name_f]Isidora[/name_f] too, I think) feel a little much beside the understated charm of your other daughters’ names.