I am expecting my third child. I am absolutely in love with the name [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] [name_u]Layne[/name_u] ([name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] after my grandma), but my nieces name is [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f]. Is this too awkward? I am open to suggestions on ways to incorporate isabelle into the name. [name_f]My[/name_f] only rule is that the middle name start with an L and the first name can not be something super popular. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank You!
[name_u]Shannon[/name_u]
I think [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] [name_u]Layne[/name_u] is way too close to [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f]. I’m sorry but it’s almost awkward that you are asking if it would be awkward.
I think it’s sweet that you want to honor your grandmother with the name [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] but if you are looking for something that isn’t super popular you should probably stay away from it. [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] was the third most popular name given to girls in the US in 2012.
I’d suggest looking for a fn that might end in -belle or a name with nn [name_f]Elle[/name_f] that you could use to honor your grandmother. Suggestions: [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f], [name_f]Belle[/name_f], [name_f]Giselle[/name_f], [name_f]Noelle[/name_f] etc.
Or why not use an L- name as a fn. It gives you a much larger variety to choose from and use [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] as a mn?
Yeah… it’s almost like you’re asking for a fight…
I second the idea of using [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] in middle, otherwise most name options are going to be -elle endings like [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f], [name_f]Michelle[/name_f], [name_f]Jezebelle[/name_f], etc…
[name_m]How[/name_m] often do you see this niece and her parents?
If you see them rarely, like 1-2 times/year, I would use [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] [name_u]Layne[/name_u], since you do sound like you love it.
If you are particularly close with them, what about:
[name_f]Lainie[/name_f] [name_f]Isabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Elaine[/name_f] [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f]
[name_u]Layne[/name_u] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]
Yep, way too close. [name_f]My[/name_f] niece is named [name_f]Alexa[/name_f], so I’ve automatically ruled out any [name_u]Alex[/name_u]- names (i.e. [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] or [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]). Cousin’s child? Maybe it’s okay then. But not the child of your sibling or your husband’s sibling. If I were you, I’d be ruling out [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] and any other name with [name_f]Belle[/name_f] or [name_f]Bella[/name_f] in it.
Not everyone is weird about you “copying” their names, generally, they just get upset if you “steal” their name/use it first. Maybe you can ask the child’s parents if it would be awkward for them?
[name_f]My[/name_f] sister actually wanted me to name my baby the same name she chose for her 4 year old. I think it’s weird, but she thinks it would be an honour, so you don’t know unless you talk about it.
You could however go for names that have the same meaning as [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f], like [name_f]Elspeth[/name_f] (much less popular) or if you wanted an L name, [name_f]Lisette[/name_f] might fit the bill, or [name_u]Lisa[/name_u] in the middle spot.
I think you should choose something else. There are way too many little [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] and variants around. Plus the ending runs into the middle name like Isabellayne. These are reasons on TOP of basically mimicking your niece’s name.
I like [name_u]Layne[/name_u] but think you should choose a different first name to go with it.
[name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] as a middle should be ok. Maybe casually mention to the child’s parents you were thinking of using it or straight out ask. Some people don’t mind or they are actually quite flattered.
This.
I completely understand the reason you want to use [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] but I think you should look for a different first name and use [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] as a middle name.
Perhaps something along the lines of [name_u]Delaney[/name_u] [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f]? [name_u]Delaney[/name_u] could go by [name_u]Layne[/name_u]/[name_u]Lane[/name_u].
I also think I wouldn’t use [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f]. I wouldn’t ask the parents if they would mind either because it puts them in an awkward position, which is not fair to them. [name_u]Layne[/name_u] is nice, I would choose something else to go with it.
I think it is beyond awkward. I’m laughing, but if I were the mother of [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] I would be at best - annoyed and at worst - creeped out and getting a restraining order!
I apologise, that came across really harshly. You obviously love this name a lot to be considering this. I hope you manage to figure out a way to incorporate your grandma in a way that you love just as much.