Iola too old?

Knottie24781274

We're thinking about naming our girl "Iola Rosalie," honoring our maternal grandmothers.  Iola is a familiar family name to me (a middle name used as a first name for generations), but I have never heard it outside of my family.  I'm wondering if it's too old or remote as a first name.  Nicknames seem to be tough too.  I can only think of shortening to just, "eye", "Io" or maybe "Ilie" ("eye-lee").  And, while I like Rosalie, I hesitate using it as a first name in that it might be cute as a kid, but might make it more difficult for her to be taken seriously as an adult.  

(this is why I was hoping for a boy, it seems a lot easier to name them)

Bringmemylongswordho

Old is not the association I have with Lola, I think showgirl or trans. I do actually really like the name, but it's definitely got some pop culture associations.

I personally would do Rosalie Lola. I think Rosalie is a "classier" name then Lola. I also think it flows better. But both are nice names.

bbiutmcph

My grandmother is Rosalie and personally I think it's a name that is classy ages well and presents well in any situation I can think of. If anything o think of an adult before a kid

Knottie24781274

Sorry, capital "I"s can look like lowercase Ls in certain fonts.  I should have said it's Iola, pronounced like "eye-ola".  I've got similar feelings towards Lola.

Casadena

I really like them both.  One of my grandmothers is also Rosalie, so my association doesn't lean toward "cute when they're little".  

emilyray14

I think Iola is cool. I knew a charming old lady once, named Iona, so I think of her. A good association. As for Rosalie, I don't get a babyish vibe at all. I think it would age very well! 

Bringmemylongswordho

Knottie24781274 said:

Sorry, capital "I"s can look like lowercase Ls in certain fonts.  I should have said it's Iola, pronounced like "eye-ola".  I've got similar feelings towards Lola.

Oops.  Apologies. 

Iola is nice, but I still prefer Rosalie Iola.

neverblushed

I think if you use Iola as a first name, it will be continually confused with Lola and it has the potential to cause lots of serious identity/identification issues down the road for your child.  I'd use it in the mn spot instead.

The only Rosalie I know is an elderly lady who is a distant cousin of mine.  My association with the name is more old fashioned than cutesy.

mrstrax

Rosalie is my favorite for if the doctors were to say "surprise, it's actually a girl" so I'm a little biased toward Rosalie Iola, but you would have to look out for the initials. Depending on your last name though, that could give you nicknames (RIZ like from Grease, etc). 

Ive never seen Iola before, so it would seem odd at first, but had the same experience with Isla until a couple years ago. 

jamiesc58

I had a great aunt with that first name but spelled Isola. I think it is pretty. I would probably spell it like you so she isn't being called I-sola or something.

tmk0325

neverblushed said:

I think if you use Iola as a first name, it will be continually confused with Lola and it has the potential to cause lots of serious identity/identification issues down the road for your child.  I'd use it in the mn spot instead.

The only Rosalie I know is an elderly lady who is a distant cousin of mine.  My association with the name is more old fashioned than cutesy.

Ditto to the first paragraph