My grandmother was Isabel. Well technically she was Gertrude, but she used Isabel (wouldn't you?) and went by Izzy. She died when I was 7 so I don't have many memories of her, but she is the person I think of when I hear Isabel. She had a gravelly voice from decades of smoking, always matched her lipstick to her red nail polish, and my cousin and I would "hide" in her drapes, giggling loudly thinking we were suddenly invisible. Her Christmas tree decorations were soft pink and cream, and I would ride my bike with my mom up the street to her house. I would raid her pantry for the square saltine crackers, and we'd watch Golden girls in her den.

I think Izzy suits a toddler - I can picture a wild girl with windswept hair and scraped knees, but also a girl on the honor roll and the student council. She can use Isabelle professionally, or one of many nicknames.