View Message

Isabeau
What does everyone think of this medieval variant of Isabel? I'm totally smitten with it because it's both dignified and whimsical (that "-beau"!). I actually knew an Isabeau at the all-girls boarding school where I used to teach -- she's the free-spirited daughter of an artist, so her name felt fitting!Here are some combos:Isabeau Adela
Isabeau Aglaia
Isabeau Augusta
Isabeau Cecilia
Isabeau Clarice / Clarisse
Isabeau Clarissa
Isabeau Cordelia
Isabeau Delphine
Isabeau Diana
Isabeau Eugenie
Isabeau Eulalie
Isabeau Francesca
Isabeau Francisca
Isabeau Frederica
Isabeau Georgina
Isabeau Ginevra
Isabeau Letitia
Isabeau Lucretia
Isabeau Matilda
Isabeau Natalia
Isabeau Nerissa
Isabeau Regina
Isabeau Richenza
Isabeau Roxana
Isabeau Theresa
Isabeau Verena
Isabeau Virginia

This message was edited 11/29/2018, 8:39 AM

Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

I love Isabeau! I tend to forget about this name, but it's so lovely and fresh -- a great choice instead of the many Isabel namesIsabeau Francesca and Isabeau Roxana are my favorites.
vote up1
Isabelle got really popular for a while, and I haven’t quite forgiven it yet. The masculine -beau ending also makes a lot less sense to me than the feminine -belle ending. I’m a hard pass on Isabeau.
vote up1
Oh wow, you met a real-life Isabeau? That's pretty amazing! The only bearer I know of is the heroine of the movie Ladyhawk, played by Michelle Pfeiffer (so of course, she's stunning). May I ask what country you taught in? Because despite the fact that I think the name is gorgeous, I'd think it would sound odd outside France (or another place where French is widely spoken), given how medieval it is.Isabeau was in my Top 10, once upon a time, but I don't remember any combos I'd set up. Of your combos, I like:Isabeau Adela (also Isabeau Adelle)
Isabeau Diana
Isabeau Francisca (also Isabeau Frances)
Isabeau Ginevra
Isabeau Matilda (also Isabeau Maud)
Isabeau Nerissa
Isabeau Theresa
Isabeau VerenaI'd also like to propose:Isabeau Clothilde / Isabeau Clotilde
Isabeau Lucine
Isabeau Nerida
vote up1
I also know an Isabeau, here in South Africa and with no French roots that I know of. She's a very nice older lady, married to a very distinguished retired judge. Used to play a lot of tennis.I prefer Isabel and especially Isobel. Isabeau seems to be trying too hard.
vote up1
Isabeau Clot(h)ilde is stunning!This school is in the U.S. (about 20 minutes north of Baltimore). The student might have French heritage...
vote up1
My impression of Isabeau is that it's too frilly and precious. The prn seems childish (Isabo for Isabel?) and the spelling artificial, to me. I don't like it. But it is interesting, and I don't hate it.Gotta take care with combos because depending on the initial consonant on the middle name, it can make a phrase.
Is a bore, is a bone, is a boat, is a bowl ...
So I favor combos with names that begin in a vowel.
Isabeau Eugenie is cool.
vote up1
I do think it's rather charming... but at the end of the day, if I were going to chose a name, I'd pick Isabel. I just think it's prettier. Still, a good alternative for someone who wants a name that's a little more unique. It strikes an excellent balance between familiar and offbeat.
vote up1
Hi Wordsmith !!!Sorry but it seems the masculine form of Isabelle (beau is masculine in French).Isabeau Aglaia and Isabeau Verena are my faves.
vote up1