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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Gabrielle/ Gabriella or Kate

80 replies

BarbieLovesKen · 28/11/2010 14:26

Aaaarggh.

We were definate on Kate for ages. Im only 14 weeks pregnant and if our last ds was a girl he would have been Kate so I was sure we wouldnt budge on it.

Have been looking at other names "just in case" and now I also adore Gabrielle or Gabriella. I think its stunning but am worried if I use it I'll regret not using Kate!!.

What do you think?

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weenawoo · 07/12/2010 06:37

What about calling her Kathrine, but using Kate? Would give her a name a little different to the royal wedding Kates.
She could then decide which she liked the best.

thesecondcoming · 07/12/2010 00:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FortunateHamster · 06/12/2010 23:11

I think you prefer Kate but are having a fling with Gabriell/e/a

If you really liked Gabriell/a/e just as much you would always combine the tally because it's basically two variations on the same name.

I personally wouldn't choose Kate because it is about to get a loooot more popular in England. However, if you think that won't be the case where you are, don't let that stop you - it's still a classic name.

(I vote for Gabriell/e/a)

AndOnAndOnAndOn · 06/12/2010 23:06

Gabriella imo

Original poster
BarbieLovesKen · 06/12/2010 09:34

Hi all,

Once again, thank you so much for your replies, finding it all so helpful.

So at the minute:
Gabriella 15
Gabrielle 9
Kate 17

(Or if we're combinding Gabriella/e
Gabrella/e 24
Kate 17 - not sure if this is "fair" though Grin)

To those pointing out about the royal wedding this is actually one big thing that is putting me off Kate. That said its only a prediction its just I dont want to use a name that I've adored for years only to find that most baby girls around me are named the same in the one year. Is this silly? also Im in Ireland so wonder if that'll make a difference - cant see many thinking of/ admitting to naming one of their children after a member of the royal family (no disrespect intended).

Equally, Im so annoyed with myself for mentioning names to family and friends in RL because they have almost all really, really put me off Gabriella/e. In fairness no one hates it, (I've had some horrible looks and comments over boy names) but just prefer Kate. Think this is swaying me too.

Fink and NorthenRose, I dont actually mind Gaby. I'd prefer the full Gabriella/ e to be used and would introduce her as that but if some called her Gaby I really wouldnt mind. That said, one of my younger cousins heard me asking an aunt what she thought and said "we could call her Gabs" (yuck!!)

NorthernRose havent thought of middle names yet at all, am completely open - any ideas?

Thank you so much again.

OP posts:
Northernrose · 04/12/2010 21:31

I totally agree with Fink that if you didn't like Gabby then you can make it clear to others that it is Gabrielle/a..2 of my nephews have this... they are Matthew and Jonathan and have never been anything else.

I think both names are lovely Barbie and versatile when it comes to nn ( I know a lovely Kate who has been Katie since she was a baby, and i don't see why Gabrielle/a couldn't be Ella as well as Gabbi/y) ..if you're going for both together I think Gabriella Kate is the most beautiful combination.

I know what you mean about keeping a name incase you ever had another girl, we did this with our dd.

Are there other middle names you are thinking of or as these seem to be your favourite names are you just really keen to have them both for this wee one?

Fink · 04/12/2010 21:05

We have a Gabrielle and absolutely love it! Like AndHerName, DH and his family call her Gabby, my family and I don't shorten it.

If you don't like Gabby (and she doesn't when she's old enough), then don't let people call her that. Introduce her by her full name and if anyone says "Do you prefer Gabby?", answer "No, thank you, she's Gabrielle/a.". If anyone is rude enough to automatically shorten it, just pointedly use the full name in front of them until they get the hint. This has worked for me for 30 years, as well as for all my siblings (we all have long names with numerous potential nns).

There are so many good reasons to choose Gabrielle, but the little sweetheart is waking up for a feed now so I had better go see to her. Only 1 negative: a lot of people get confused as to whether DD is Gabrielle or Gabriella, which obviously wouldn't happen with Kate. Just enunciating clearly usually solves that though, except for the terminally thick Grin

TooBlessed2spendxmasalone · 04/12/2010 21:02

Gabriella gets my vote,,Kate is boring and there are so many of them.

DontKnowWhatToBelieve · 04/12/2010 21:01

Kate is definitely my favourite of your 3, although I love them all Smile

In fact I actually prefer Katherine, then she has the choice of Kate, Katy, Kitty - all gorgeous!

baskingseals · 04/12/2010 20:49

Gabrielle - it's a beautiful name

baskingseals · 04/12/2010 20:48

absolutely love Gabrielle
it's a beautiful name

Original poster
BarbieLovesKen · 04/12/2010 20:36

Gabriella Kate is lovely really, isnt it?.

Really good point too said, I am the most indecisive person in the world on top of being a serious worrier and self doubting. So it makes it really hard to make up my min plus.. I stupidly asked loads of family/ friends in RL and they all say Kate and Im not sure if thats why Im being swayed.

Also, what if I happen to have another girl down the road and want to use Kate or Gabrielle so I can have both names? (oh God, this is getting really ridiculous..damnit!! wish this was a landslide poll as it would take the decision from me)

Wouldnt mind but I've ages yet. Am obsessing

Aaaarrrggggh!!!

OP posts:
said · 04/12/2010 16:40

If you're not sure about Kate, that means you don't really prefer it? Go with Gabriella/e Kate. Completely different names though

LiquoriceLila · 03/12/2010 20:02

Gabriella or Gabrielle are lovely. Kate seems really plain and dull in comparison. Gabriella Kate goes nicely though.

Original poster
BarbieLovesKen · 03/12/2010 17:59

Kiki I keep hearing this and it is worrying about using Kate if Im honest.

Thanks a million BigZing.

I think its looking like Kate but I really dont know (AAaargh again!)

Mummynumber2 You would be more than welcome to steal it from me!!! Smile cos I have the rights, yes? Grin - would be honoured!!

OP posts:
Mummynumber2 · 03/12/2010 17:14

I you don't use Gabriella I might have to steal it from you. Xmas Grin.

BigZing · 03/12/2010 13:00

They're such different names.

I prefer Gabriella (but not Gabrielle, for some reason!), but Kate is very nice, too. Argh. Sorry!

Kiki84 · 03/12/2010 12:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

takethatlady · 03/12/2010 08:34

I still make that 17 Gabrielle/Gabriella and 16 Kate, and love the idea of using both names in the name.

You can't go wrong though :-)

Original poster
BarbieLovesKen · 02/12/2010 18:47

11 Gabriella
6 Gabrielle
16 Kate

Its really looking like a Kate, isnt it? I've asked some family members and they all think Kate.

Im still equally in love with both names.

OP posts:
Komondor · 02/12/2010 14:21

Kate.

I went to school with a Gabby, and she was v unpleasant.

FoxyRevenger · 01/12/2010 22:36

Kate for me, definitely.

When my daughter was born,I had in mind either Kate, or another much more airy-fairy type name.

In the end, I saw her and she was just...Kate. She is a bit feisty and the frilly name just wouldn't be her at all.

Kate makes me think of strong women - Katharine Hepburn, that type of strong, sexy, classy woman.

A Gabriella will never be Prime Minister Grin

oddgirl · 01/12/2010 17:51

Kate is a beautiful name-I absolutely love it-its simple and elegant and always reminds me of the sort of girl every boy fancies and all the girls want to be like...gets my vote every time. DDs name and she is the only one in her school year amongst thousands of Ellas/Rubys/Evies...and she is bloody gorgeous...Grin

chocolatesanta · 30/11/2010 22:37

Kate is lovely so has my vote.

said · 30/11/2010 22:03

Yeah, but Gabrielle suits anyone. Wink All the Gabrielles I know have Irish ancestry

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