Several months ago, I’d decided on [name]Isla[/name] [name]Ellen[/name] [name]Gray[/name] for my baby’s name, but I’m finding that [name]Isla[/name] is getting extremely popular and I don’t know if I like that. Before my family had settled on [name]Isla[/name], we had a small list started on which name to choose. Here are some of the names:
I like [name]Nina[/name] best, though it might not be much less popular than [name]Isla[/name] it feels less on-trend and maybe more classic. It travels well rather than having the multiple pronunciations & word-name problems that [name]Isla[/name] has. It also feels more grounded down to earth & less airy than [name]Isla[/name].
[name]Temperance[/name] is an intense long name with intense historical connections and I don’t see many cute nn options.
[name]Thalia[/name] feels nicknamey for [name]Natalia[/name].
[name]Lora[/name] is nice but I prefer [name]Laura[/name] as it seems easier to wear without the spelling hassle.
I don’t think [name]Isla[/name] is getting popular at all…it’s only #268!! [name]Isla[/name] is so beautiful, sounds so elegant, and very Scottish. The name flows so beautifully!!
[name]Thalia[/name] - this is my favorite name out of your list, it isn’t too popular and very pretty
[name]Lora[/name] - sounds a bit dated, [name]IMO[/name].
[name]Temperance[/name] - I think this is a bit odd. [name]Temperance[/name] just seems too colonial.
[name]Nina[/name] - This is okay, but I still like [name]Isla[/name] and [name]Thalia[/name] better.
What about [name]Phillipa[/name]? I have so much appreciation for this name. It’s rarely heard (where I live anyways) and I adore feminization.
[name]Isla[/name] [name]Ellen[/name] [name]Gray[/name] is beautiful! (As an [name]Ellen[/name], I love to see it used!)
[name]Nina[/name] [name]Ellen[/name] [name]Gray[/name] and [name]Thalia[/name] [name]Ellen[/name] [name]Gray[/name] are both lovely, too. I think [name]Nina[/name] has the more classic, vintage, streamlined look of [name]Isla[/name] while [name]Thalia[/name] (which I don’t see as nicknamey) falls more in line with [name]Isla[/name]'s sound and whimsy. I agree that Temperence seems rather colonial, though I also think of the main character from Bones actually. The flow of Temperence [name]Ellen[/name] [name]Gray[/name] is pretty though. [name]Lora[/name], particularly this spelling, looks dated to me, too. I think [name]Laura[/name] [name]Ellen[/name] [name]Gray[/name], [name]Laurel[/name] [name]Ellen[/name] [name]Gray[/name], and [name]Lorna[/name] [name]Ellen[/name] [name]Gray[/name] would all look fresher.
I think I like [name]Nina[/name] from your new contenders, but I’m not sure it feels a whole lot less popular than [name]Isla[/name] (not very [name]IMO[/name]).
[name]Isla[/name] is pretty, but if popularity bothers you, use it in the middle. If you really love it, you might regret not using it.
Of the new names, I like [name]Thalia[/name] (due to the myth) and [name]Nina[/name] the best. You might consider [name]Isolde[/name] or [name]Isotta[/name] instead of [name]Isla[/name] as well.
Thanks for all the suggestions and comments. I saw this above, and was wondering how [name]Phillipa[/name] [name]Ellen[/name] [name]Gray[/name] sounds?
I like [name]Isla[/name], and I don’t think it’s too popular at all. It’s not in the top 100 yet, and I’m certain about that. Last time I checked it was at like 250 or something around there.
[name]Thalia[/name] - It’s pretty, but nothing special. I prefer it as a nn for [name]Natalia[/name].
[name]Lora[/name] - I like this a lot. [name]Lovely[/name], short and sweet.
[name]Temperance[/name] - I like it, but I think it would be more appropriate in the mn spot.
[name]Nina[/name] - Not a fan at all.
I think [name]Phillipa[/name] [name]Ellen[/name] [name]Gray[/name] sounds good, but it’s a bit lengthy.
[name]Ellen[/name] [name]Gray[/name] reminds me of [name]Ellis[/name] [name]Grey[/name], the mother of [name]Meredith[/name] in [name]Grey[/name]'s Anatomy…
[name]Ellen[/name] [name]Gray[/name] is gorgeous! I’m a huge fan of [name]Isla[/name] and I’m considering it for my daughter. I didn’t know it was popular… I haven’t met anyone or heard anyone talk about this name
[name]Isla[/name] is absurdly popular out here but I think it’ll be a few years before it really blows up in the States.
I like [name]Nina[/name]. Which is definitely less popular out here, by a lot. Let me look up by how much, though, just to check.
Okay: In this Aussie state, [name]Isla[/name] is #22 and is #180 and trending down.
Anyway, other names I like with similar simple 2-syllable rhythm and a bit of [name]Nina[/name]'s international feel:
[name]Reina[/name], [name]Raina[/name]
[name]Talia[/name]/[name]Talya[/name]
[name]Dahlia[/name]
[name]Halle[/name]
[name]Irene[/name]
[name]Maeva[/name]
[name]Rina[/name]
[name]Opal[/name], [name]Dinah[/name], [name]Willa[/name] - less international but gentle and vintage.
[name]Isla[/name] is my fav for sure - and I don’t know a single girl with that name. Certainly has not become popular in my area. Second favorite is [name]Nina[/name]. That has been on my list for years!
I really like your guy’s suggestions, it’s just that I’ve met at least 2 [name]Isla[/name]'s within the past three months, which is weird because I hadn’t actually met anyone with that name until now.