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Anna, Gabriella, Francesca or Emmeline?

55 replies

Nowutterlyconfused · 10/07/2013 08:23

I'd be really grateful for views? Sadly, we have decided to abandon Isabel, our favourite, because there seem to be so, so many of them and, obviously just like all of us on here, I was hoping to find something that was so beautiful that it felt special to us. Now hunting around for a replacement with increasing desperation. Pregnancy insomnia is a terrible thing and you can wind yourself up in complete knots in the early hours, can't you? I just really want to find her something strong and classy and elegant but I do appreciate that the less sleep you have, the less likely this is to come to pass... Please help!

DH loves Anna and I do also like it quite a lot but our surname is Arnold (hoping that is ok to say on here) and not sure whether Anna Arnold is a bit of a mouthful? I also really like Gabriella although initial reactions among family to the potential for a nn of Gabby were a bit mixed and so I was wondering about whether we could call her Ellie instead...

Views are really very much appreciated - thank you in advance for your help!

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Yama · 10/07/2013 08:28

All lovely names. Francesca was on my shortlist for dd 8 years ago.

I also love Anna. Good, strong name. I love Anya too. I think alliteration is fine.

Gabriella is lovely. I know one and she does get it shortened at all. For some reason I don't see Ella as an obvious nickname for it.

Emmeline is pretty. Emmy for nickname?

So, to summarise - all names are great. Smile

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Yama · 10/07/2013 08:28

doesn't

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whyno · 10/07/2013 08:38

Lovely names. Francesca my least favourite but still nice. Know a beautiful Gabriella and emmeline is so lovely.

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Snoot · 10/07/2013 08:41

Emmy, Fran and Gabby all seem very likely shortenings of these beautiful but long names. Anna will not be shortened Smile. I gave DD the shortened name as her real name IYSWIM, she's Beth but has to spend quite a lot of time arguing with new friends and getting me to intervene (sometimes by phone!) when they won't believe she's not really an Elizabeth or a Bethan or similar. I'd go with Anna if I were you, it's a good, straightforward name that is pretty as well. Hope you get some more sleep Smile

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Justfornowitwilldo · 10/07/2013 12:35

Maybe lengthen Anna? Annabelle would sound better with your surname and you could call her Anna?

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Nowutterlyconfused · 10/07/2013 14:24

I know - I do really like Annabelle but we have some close friends with a fairly new baby Annabelle so it is a little socially tricky...

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Summerfever · 10/07/2013 14:25

As a mother of an Emmeline I would advise you that people continually hear the name as "Emily" when you say it which does drive me crazy. I would only choose it if you are happy to correct a lot. It also does get mispronounced a fair bit (to rhyme with fine) which is something that also irritates me. It's a lovely name, but I have to say that I may have chosen differently had I known how frustrating I would find it!

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Blanketsandpillows · 10/07/2013 14:28

I love all of the names you have mentioned-except Gabriella!

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mumbaisapphire · 10/07/2013 14:59

Gabriella is gorgeous and I had it on my short list. Gabby I think is inevitable but you could go for Ella.

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Mrsindecision · 10/07/2013 15:09

Just to say that I personally wouldn't abandon a name I loved because of popularity. Isabel is a beautiful and classic name and you may regret using another you like less because of how popular it is. My DS has a very popular name (just as popular as Isabel) and it has never caused a problem for him (in fact he doesn't know many others) and I still love it as much as ever. My DD has a much less common name (well outside the top 500 when we choose it) and I have surprisingly come across a number of others including another one in her year group at school! You just never can tell!

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bunnymother · 10/07/2013 15:13

One of my DDs is also called Emmeline, and I have the same complaints as Summerfever, except that I would still call her Emmeline if I had my time over. Its a beautiful name, which we shorten to Emme, and the Emmeline Pankhurst association is fantastic.

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Snoot · 10/07/2013 17:23

Amelia? That's a distinct name on it's own and pretty and long like the others but no so long. Otherwise perhaps alternatives to Annabelle? Annabella, Annalea, Annalise etc, all to be shortened to Anna if shortened at all.

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amessageforyouYoni · 10/07/2013 17:24

All very nice - Emmeline my personal fave!

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CravingOlives · 10/07/2013 17:24

I love Emmeline, it's my first choice for a girl this time. I have a lovely friend with the name, nn Emy. I adore it!

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BettyBi0 · 10/07/2013 18:41

Another vote for Emmeline. I think any names ending in "a" sound a bit weird with Arnold

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HorraceTheOtter · 10/07/2013 18:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LynetteScavo · 10/07/2013 18:55

Anna and Gabriela are lovely.

Francesca is nice.

Emmeline is awful. (I am aware I am the only MNetter with this opinion).

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PoppyWearer · 10/07/2013 18:59

Francesca is lovely but will probably be shortened to Fran, which is not so lovely.

Love Gabriella.

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Rhubarbgarden · 10/07/2013 19:01

I think Anna is beautiful. The others are too long and frilly for me, personally. How about Frances instead of Francesca? Or how about Alice or Connie?

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MadameJosephine · 10/07/2013 19:07

Definitely Emmeline, love it. It's my second favourite girl's name ever (DD has my favourite)

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Wbdn28 · 10/07/2013 19:22

Emmeline is lovely. Anna is nice too but agree it doesn't work with your surname, unfortunately. Francesca is OK but I don't like the nicknames Fran or Cheska. Frances would be a nice alternative IMHO. Gabriella is clunky, and gabby is slang for over-talkative.

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Mrsindecision · 10/07/2013 19:29

I have to say btw that further to my comment above, Isabel Arnold has a very nice ring to it!

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PoppyAmex · 10/07/2013 19:32

Francesca can be Frankie, which is very cool.

I think you should go with Isabel, it's timeless and as the poster above said, goes really well with your surname.

Besides, I think there are a lot more Isabellas and Bellas than just plain Isabel.

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 10/07/2013 19:36

Another mother of an Emmeline here. Everyone will think she is named Emily and whilst Emily is a lovely name, it always makes me think of Emily Bishop.

You and later she, will spend a lot of time correcting people and spelling out her name. Having said that I have a very common and uninspiring name and I always have to spell that.

So please only choose Emmeline if you really love it.

From your other names the alliteration would make me discount Anna, but how about Hannah? Emmeline is my favourite but if you don't totally love it I'd go for Gabriella Smile

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Floggingmolly · 10/07/2013 19:41

Anna. No contest whatsoever.

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