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Original poster

decision time which variant to use

36 replies

mrsjamesherriot · 13/04/2011 21:17

have finally decided on arabella or one of it's variants

arabella
arabel
arabelle

which variant is nicest and why?

is arabel a shortening or a name in it's own right . if it is a pet form sodo we put arabella /arabelle on the bc or is it ok just to use arabel .

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nooka · 17/04/2011 02:38

MrsvWoolf what source would a professional use (and what is a professional name researcher)? I'm long past naming anything other than pets, but interested nonetheless. I don't like most name sites because they include anything and everything regardless of provenance (type in random letters and hey presto it becomes a name). My parents used the Oxford Book of Christian Names to name us, but I suspect it is somewhat dated now and perhaps a little restricted too Grin

BikeRunSki · 16/04/2011 16:25

Agree with notanumber.

MrsvWoolf · 16/04/2011 16:19

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MrsvWoolf · 16/04/2011 16:18

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CarefulWithThatAxeEugene · 16/04/2011 14:50

As always, much depends on the surname to which we are not privy. Can you tell us how many syllables, OP?

HopingForAZoo · 16/04/2011 14:37

I was going to start this very same thread without the "Arabelle" version. Do you have a middle name picked out? I think we are leaning towards Arabella with a less fussy middle name. Then we can shorten to Arabel if we want.

toobreathless · 16/04/2011 11:37

Arabella- lovely name.

The others sound like 'arable' a type of farming as pointed out above!

spiderslegs · 16/04/2011 04:49

Arabella

No question. It's strong. Mind you, she'll probably spend the next 20 years being called Abigail. I'm Abigail & have spent the last 25 years+ being called Arrabella.

nooka · 16/04/2011 04:42

I like Arabella best, and I don't think it is particularly princess pretty. If anything it's more on the horsey/sloany side. I usually use BehintheName for names, and whilst Arabella is Medieval Scottish, Arabel/Arabelle is not listed. So I'd go for Arabella

Arabel would still be a potential nn, along with Ari, Belle and Bella.

pooka · 15/04/2011 23:28

I prefer arabel. Less fussy. Different sound to arable. Don't like -elle endings. Too princessy.

So... Arabel gets my vote!

Original poster
mrsjamesherriot · 15/04/2011 23:14

arabel is a name just as isabel or annabel are names .arabella is the italian version just as isabella is a version of isabel

love ari as for a nn for a tomboy my one doubt with the name is it's too pribnceesy and that if she's a 6 foot rugby playing tomboy it won't suit but ari solves that problem nicely
bel is very sweet for a girly girl

OP posts:
CarefulWithThatAxeEugene · 15/04/2011 23:03

Ari for an Arabel who is a bit tomboyish, Bel for a girly girl.

ValiumBandwitch · 15/04/2011 22:58

Only Arabella is actually a name. Arabel is farming. Hard to shorten. Arry?

vess · 15/04/2011 22:52

Arabella.

everlong · 14/04/2011 20:28

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Original poster
mrsjamesherriot · 14/04/2011 18:54

very confused still really not sure which way to go .

dh still prefers arabella as he likes ultra feminine princessy names , i prefer arabel as i like more robust names .

should i adnit defeat and go with arabella it is only 2 letters after all .would it be madness to put arabella on her certificate but then mainly use arabel as this would give her more options or do i just need to work harder at persuading dh of the merits of arabel over arabella.

OP posts:
iskra · 14/04/2011 12:59

I like Arabel best too. It's got a strong feel to it IMO, less frilly than the others. Also loved Arabel's Raven!

Hedwig3 · 14/04/2011 12:56

Exactly what notanumber said!

CherryDrops · 14/04/2011 10:16

Arabella, much prettier than the others and no relation to farming.

sleepywombat · 14/04/2011 01:24

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cowboylover · 14/04/2011 00:59

Arabella, not sure why it just works better for me

burntsienna · 14/04/2011 00:51

Don't know why Arabel should sound "truncated"; the form is familiar in names like Annabel, Isabel etc.

LittleCheesyPineappleOne · 13/04/2011 22:28

I used to love Arabel's Raven.

mayanna123 · 13/04/2011 22:23

Arabel is lovely.

MelinaM · 13/04/2011 22:21

Arabella, definitely ArabellaSmile The other two names look and sound unfinished, and made-up. x