We are expecting our first baby July 2018 and it’s a girl! So we need to decide on a name sooner than later. My husband’s last name is Roszell (Rose-Zell). We love the names: Isla (eye-lah) and Emma.
Other names on our list: Alina, Mila, Elle, Rosie, and Sophia. We can’t use Elle because it will rhyme with her last name. Same goes with Rose/Rosie. It just doesn’t sound right with Roszell. I think Alina is beautiful, but husband doesn’t care for it. I like Sophia but I’m not in love with it. It just feels too common and I don’t want her to be called Sophie.
We have nothing for Emma as a middle name. For Isla we have Isla Josephine. We love how sweet and bohemian Isla Josephine feels and would like a middle name that makes Emma feel the same way. Emma is such a beautiful name and we love that it is easy to pronounce. I’m just worried that it’s too common. We don’t like “filler” middle names like Grace or Marie. They’re pretty, but way too common. We also love how Emma can have a nickname. There really isn’t one for Isla.
As you have probably noticed we like names that end with an A sound. So we don’t really want a middle name with an A sound since it doesn’t seem to flow as well.
If we were having a boy he would have been Oliver Grey Roszell.
Hopefully I’ve given you enough information for you to send recommendations!
I think the upside of using a popular name is that you know so many people will agree: Emma IS a beautiful name. I am not sure if it will be too common for you or not. According to the Social Security Administration, it’s been in the Top Ten since 2002; for the past three years, it’s been in the number one spot as the very most popular girls’ name in the United States. To get an idea of what those rankings mean, let’s look at numbers. Here are the number of new baby girls named Emma born each year for the past five years we have data for:
2012: 20,922
2013: 20,921
2014: 20,912
2015: 20,415
2016: 19,414
Over one hundred thousand new baby girls named Emma, just in the last five years. In 2016, the name was used for just over 1% of all new baby girls.
But, as I periodically like to remind everyone, that’s approximately 1/4th the rate the name Jennifer was used in its prime, approximately 1/3rd the rate of peak Jessica. After those names, it was as if the country made a decision not to let that happen anymore: the next queen, Emily, only got as high as 1.3% usage; Isabella and Sophia only as high as 1.1%. I’m interested to see if this continues: if in the next decade our top names go down to .9%, or .8%, or even lower.
Where were we? Oh yes: whether Emma will be too common for you. At 1% usage, assuming a class size of 30 children of which 15 are girls, there is currently a national average of one Emma per six to seven classrooms. That won’t prevent funny little pockets of Emmas: she could have one year with two other Emmas in the room, as my son William did even though the year he was born the usage for his actual name (not William) was .5% and so had a national average of one per thirteen classrooms. But I don’t consider duplicates a huge problem: the three Williams are in high school now and still greet each other in the halls with “Hi, William S.!” and “Hi, William B.!” and “Hi, William T.!”
Because this is your first child, you may or may not have yet had contact with a lot of other children. I think that’s when a name’s usage becomes much more vivid for parents: you get the new daycare directory, or your child is talking about other kids at recess, and that’s when you find out for sure how much it bugs you to have so many other Emmas. Until that time, it’s a matter of imagining it and making guesses. Do you feel as if it would bother you if she had another Emma in her classroom? Would you guess that it would bother you if two kids in her social circle were named Emma? Do you think it bother you (as it did bother me, when it happened with William) if, at kindergarten registration, the registrar said, “Emma—oh, we’ve gotten a lot of those!” And the name has been quite common for a couple of decades now, so there will be Emmas in every grade: every parent you encounter will know Emmas already; many children you encounter will have siblings named Emma.
We haven’t even touched on the name Isla yet. The first time it hit the Top 1000 was 2008, when it appeared at #623. Here’s what it’s been doing since:
2009: #345
2010: #297
2011: #268
2012: #229
2013: #167
2014: #150
2015: #141
2016: #126
It’s hard to say how much further it will rise, but it’s something to be aware of. Right now it’s in a range I consider perfect (and can continue rising for awhile and still be in this range): used often enough to be familiar, not often enough for people to be tired of it.
I think Isla Josephine is gorgeous. Let’s see if we can find a middle name for Emma that gives you a similar feeling. Because the name Emma is so common, it’s a challenge to make it sound Bohemian; I think I would look for something quite uncommon for the middle name, to average things out. But I’d also look for names similar to Josephine—and in fact, I’m going to include Josephine. I’m also going to include a lot of names with A-sounds, even though you specifically mentioned you don’t think it sounds nice; I LOVE multiple A-sounds in a name (especially when two names in a row both end in -a), and also I didn’t notice that preference until I’d already made the list—but let’s pretend I DID notice and am now lightly sowing the list with pro-A-sound propaganda.
Emma Adelaide Roszell (EAR)
Emma Antonia Roszell (EAR)
Emma Azalea Roszell (EAR)
Emma Beatrix Roszell (EBR)
Emma Celeste Roszell (ECR)
Emma Clarity Roszell (ECR)
Emma Claudia Roszell (ECR)
Emma Cordelia Roszell (ECR)
Emma Flannery Roszell (EFR)
Emma Frances Roszell (EFR)
Emma Gwendolyn Roszell (EGR)
Emma Hermione Roszell (EHR)
Emma Josephine Roszell (EJR)
Emma Katherine Roszell (EKR)
Emma Lavender Roszell (ELR)
Emma Magnolia Roszell (EMR)
Emma Marguerite Roszell (EMR)
Emma Marigold Roszell (EMR)
Emma Minerva Roszell (EMR)
Emma Octavia Roszell (EOR)
Emma Persephone Roszell (EPR)
Emma Priscilla Roszell (EPR)
Emma Ramona Roszell (ERR)
Emma Sabrina Roszell (ESR)
Emma Simone Roszell (ESR)
Emma Spring Roszell (ESR)
Emma Sylvia Roszell (ESR)
Emma Valentine Roszell (EVR)
Emma Victoria Roszell (EVR)
Emma Waverly Roszell (EWR)
Were there any names you really liked, but considered too out-there to use as a first name? Those might be great here. Or since the child will have your husband’s surname, perhaps you could have more input on the middle name: Emma Alina Roszell.
I’ve been trying to think of more first name candidates, but not much is coming to mind. Possibly Emmeline? It gives you the sound of Emma, but in a less common form. But if you’d like to use Isla for a future potential sister, then I like Emmeline less: Emmeline and Isla is tongue-tangling for me.
Eliza was another one I thought of (I like the repeated Z-sound with the surname), but not if you’d also like to use Isla. Eliza is almost a combination of Emma and Isla.
Or Genevieve. Genevieve Roszell. Maybe Genevieve and Isla later on. Yes, I like that.
Perhaps something like Clara? It has the sweetness of Emma. Clara Roszell. I don’t like it very much with Isla.
Molly, too, has the sweetness of Emma. Molly Roszell. But again, I’m not fond of it with Isla, if you wanted to keep that name for a future girl.
I like Polly a little better with Isla, I think because Polly has an edgier/fresher sound. Polly Roszell. I like the repeated double-L.
Or Sally: same thing about it being a little edgier/fresher, though I still don’t think I’d pair it with Isla. Sally Roszell.
I’m finding Isla difficult to work with as a sibling name, as you can see, and that may be something to look into ahead of time: if you imagine using the name Isla, can you think of other girl names you like with it? And I am looking forward to ideas from commenters on this.
I think actually what it’s bringing to light is that Emma and Isla are different styles: Emma goes with sweet friendly names such as Clara and Molly, and with other popular girl names such as Sophia and Olivia. Isla goes with…I’m not sure, but I’m thinking more along the lines of Lorelei and Carys and Imogen. With a first baby, I like to advise thinking ahead to future siblings for this very reason: it’s easy to accidentally use a name for the first baby that’s an outlier for the parents’ more usual style. Do you feel as if you’re more of an Emma, Clara, Sophia kind of family, or more of an Isla, Cleo, Fiona kind of family?
I get the feeling that you’re trying to find a middle name that will spin Emma into something more uncommon than it is. If that’s the case, it’s not going to work — to virtually everyone who knows her, she’ll be just Emma, even if her middle name WERE “SweetBohemian”. The only way the middle name will make the first name feel different is if you combine the two into a double-barreled first name — Emma Kay? Emma Joan? Emma June? Emma does lend itself to the double name quite nicely, if you want to go that route.
As for whether Emma is too popular, Swistle’s right — you’ll just have to try and decide if it’ll bother you. One thing about Emma is that there area bunch of other names that are either similar or can lead to Emma as a nickname — Emily (spelled several ways), Emmeline (spelled several ways), Emmy, etc (or should I say emcetera?). That doesn’t mean you can’t use Emma if you love it — it’s just something else to consider.
A family friend named her daughter Emerald to get the nickname Emma (which she’s gone by exclusively almost since birth), in case her daughter ever wanted to go by something less popular.
I love Isla and it pairs perfectly with Josephine as well as the surname.
I have to agree with previous poster that no middle name will give Emma the same vibe as Isla Josephine. Isla Josephine Roszell has a free spirited, sunny vibe. 99% of people will know her as Isla Roszell, which to me still has that vibe, just a little less. Emma Beatrix might have the same vibe, but to the 99% of people that know her as Emma Roszell, that vibe is completely missing. I’m not saying Emma is a bad name. I’m just saying if that free spirited vibe is what you’re after, then I don’t think it’s for you.
I’m going to suggest more names I think give a similar vibe to Isla. It’s a bit tricky as lot of names I usually put in this category are plant and nature names that I think sound funny with a last name that starts with Rose. But, here’s what I’ve got:
Penelope
Vera
Cora
Flora
Della
Mona
Phoebe
Felicity
Lena
Nola
Ramona
Chloe
Sadie
Stella
I’m also going to mention that Swistle’s advice to consider sibling names when naming your first, though great advice for some people, not the way to go for everyone. When we were expecting our first we did discuss sibling names, names that were our 2nd or 3rd favorite and would flow with our daughter’s name. But when we became pregnant with our 2nd and 3rd child I couldn’t bring myself to use any name that we discussed as future sibling names. If the name was my 2nd favorite last time, I didn’t want to give a 2nd kid a name that wasn’t quite good enough for my first. We had to make totally new lists. And even though we had our kids close together, we were surprised by how much our tastes had changed and how many new names we were able to come up with. I’m therefore a big believer in naming the child you are currently expecting, not to focus on a whole unknown family at once.
I don’t think Swistle was actually saying name tentative daughter #2 right now, but rather to think about what style you want to stick with. But for me, matching styles is fun, mixing and matching styles is fun, using styles that most people wouldn’t think go together give the family unit an unpredictable fun vibe… there is no wrong way to do it. So cross that bridge when and if you come to it. For now, focus on naming this precious babe. Good luck.
I think Isla Josephine is a homerun! I agree with Swistle and the commenters that Emma is a more classic vibe and difficult to cast bohemian. To do so, I think you’d have to go into what I think of as British Nature names lol. Like Emma Saffron, Emma Poppy, Emma Fuschia. All of those middles, incidentally, would be daring and fun sibling names for a second daughter. Another name I thought of that might split the difference between Isla and Emma but is much less rising or classic is Ailsa. Scottish, beautiful meaning, easily pronounceable.
Isla Josephine Roszell is perfection!! It has an awesome flow.
Just wanted to say that I know sisters Isla and Emma, so maybe just choose whichever suits her best and save the other for a potential sister? They go just fine together in my mind, and both go with Oliver perfectly. In Canada Isla is already Top 10, so to me they’re pretty similar popularity-wise, I know more Islas than Emmas in fact. So if you’re trying to choose Isla to be different, don’t. It’s rising everywhere as we speak. I do agree with PP that Em is hot right now as a nickname, just like Ellie. And if your hang-up with Isla is that it doesn’t have a nickname – well, just wait and see, maybe one will happen organically or you won’t want a nickname for her. Or Isla Jo is pretty fantastic. Good luck! (For Bohemian with Emma, I suggest Lorelai!)
I love Isla Josephine and think it is great with your last name. The only way I would use Emma right now is as part of double barrel name. Emma-Claire, Emma Mae, — but unfortunately they strike me as more “country” than Bohemian.
Have you considered any of the following?
Eden
Freya
Fiona
Linnea
Annika
Emma Azalea is inspired! I adore that suggestion. In fact, I noticed a few botanical middle name suggestions on that list and I really like them all. I’ll add Emma Juniper to the list also.
For me, Emma and Isla are complimentary styles. I think they work well together & have things in common (soft sounds, short/sweet, end in A). Keeping with that, names like Mila, Lucia, Nina, Gemma, Mira, Tessa, Maya, Thea & Kyra, will sound nice with both of them. If you wanted to drop the A ending, perhaps names like Lucy, Tess, Chloe, Zoe, Ruby.
Both names could also both go in different directions if you wanted. Emma could go more traditional English/Regency (Clara, Charlotte, Olivia, Lucy) while Isla could also go more Celtic (Maeve, Carys, Fiona, Lilias). I think it would be fine to use either and not worry too much about being boxed in to one particular style-and some people do prefer more eclectic sibling names.
Came on to comment that I love Emma Azalea, too! :) Isla Josephine or Emma Azalea – you can’t go wrong!
If you love Isla and Emma equally and you have a middle you like for Isla now, I’d suggest going with Isla and saving Emma for a possible future daughter. By that time, you might think of another middle you like with it. Or once you know how many kids you’re planning, if Emma is going to be your last and there’s no Oliver, you could go with Emma Olive.
Emma Olive Roszell. Isla Josephine and Emma Olive. I like it.
Isla Josephine is beautiful!!!
Swistle’s suggestion of Emma Octavia is just so swoon-worthy. I’m normally in the same camp of “no double “a” endings” too, but this combo is just delightful.
I also wonder if Emma Evangeline might work?
Has anyone else encountered the pronunciation “Iz-la”? Just this week I learned of two Islas who use that pronunciation instead of EYE-la, which I had assumed was the only way to say the name.
Iz-la is how i always want to say it. I know it’s supposed to be EYE-la, but my mind never reads it that way. I also know an Ilse who says her name ILL-sah.
I’ve always thought Esme would be the perfect sibling name for Isla. I wonder if it would make a nice unusual alternative to Emma?
Yes, totally agree! Isla and Esme is a total bohemian sister pair :)
I know someone – not Emma, but a very similar and popular name – whose double name adds Jewel. So it’s very like Emma-Jewel. I don’t usually go on for double names, but I somehow like this … and I feel robbed for her when people drop the second part of her name. It doesn’t happen often … and she doesn’t seem to mind :)
Love Isla Josephine! I know a sister set Isla and Lina which is very cute. I also love Emma. I think Emma Beatrix is great and you could call her Emma Bea for fun. I also tried to come up with a floral middle and thought of Emma Tulip which is so fun with your last name but doesn’t have perfect flow like Emma Azalea that was suggested. I do think the middle will change the feel of her name to you (not others), but that’s what matters. I say my kids first and middles a lot to them for fun—not just when they’re in trouble :)
I call my kids Kerry Mike (Kerry Michael) and Susan Rae (Susan Rae) a lot, too. Kerry doesn’t really have a nickname and I dislike Sue and Susie. When I’m mad, I add that full, 5 syllable, hyphenated last name of theirs.
I also like Isla Josephine! It’s a great name.
I think there are plenty of sibling names for Isla, but they’re just not the same ones as Emma if you are going for a complimentary feeling in the sib group. As mentioned above, many names that are a little more Bohemian or nature-oriented totally do it. So I would not be worried on that score.
OP. I find it so interesting your mention of “filler” names… it is true that Grace and Marie are both common middles, but to me both have a depth to them. Grace has so many layers of meaning, all beautiful–the spiritual/transcendent, physical, musical, fancy-manners, doing-a-favor, and forgiveness definitions give it a depth for me. (And actually, that is why I chose it for my younger daughter’s first name). And Marie, I am sure, for many parents ties a child to a deeply meaningful religious tradition. None of which is to say (NOT AT ALL) that you should like those names, just that I find it so interesting how individually people react to names and what categories we put them in. For me, I think of filler middle names more as those that are trendy/popular or have pleasing sounds but don’t so much evoke a meaning/history/story/connection. Although actually, I don’t think there is anything wrong with picking a name that happens to be trendy/popular and/or have pleasing sounds.
Swistle, I don’t think Emma Hermione is an option, unless you are a big Harry Potter/Emma Watson fan…
And I’ve seen the full name Isla Josephine. Check here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb2mhK9hDba/?taken-by=amyoconn. It’s a great name.
Otherwise, I love Emma Celeste. Also, Emma Vivienne and Emma Penelope.
Both Emma and Isla are beautiful names, but I hear both very often. If you go with Isla to avoid the popularity of Emma, I think you might be disappointed. Also, I think of Emma as a more classic name (I know Emma’s of all ages) whereas Isla seems a bit more trendy (I only know Isla’s under 5). This is just my personal experience with the names and not based on any statistics. Both are beautiful names! And as Swistle said, the popularity of Emma today is different from Jennifer/Jessica of the 80’s.
I love the suggestion of Esme!!! I think Josephine works as a middle name for Emma too and the nickname Emmy-Jo is super sweet!
Also agree with above poster about Emma Hermione not really working due to the Harry Potter association. I didn’t think of it at first, but now that it’s been pointed out, it’s all I can think of.
Best of luck!
What about Amalia?