Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Mabel?

56 replies

CheerfulYank · 20/03/2013 20:38

I kind of like it...my beloved grandmother was Melba and I like that it has the same letters.

What are your thoughts?

I'm due in May and don't really love any girls' names yet...our front runner so far is Margaret with Maggie as a nickname. We already have a Sam.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
mewkins · 22/03/2013 20:45

I think it's just ok. A friend's mother used to apply the rule that if it sounds like a "maid's name" it was no good. Thought this was very snooty...but can sort of see her point - Mabel and Margaret (a name I loathe) both sound like they should be bellowed by the housekeeper in a costume drama.

AThingInYourLife · 22/03/2013 16:43

I love the name Mabel and have since I was a girl.

LeslieWrinkle · 22/03/2013 16:37

does your sur name begin with B? that might not sound great. Mabel Barker. hmm. buhbuhbuh.

Original poster
CheerfulYank · 22/03/2013 16:19

I hadn't thought of that Tante, but it is rather a lot of B's.

It's coming up so quickly! Only 62 day until my due date apparently. Shock

OP posts:
Manoodledo · 22/03/2013 09:41

I like Mabel, there is one in DS1's school. I love Maggie. Before DS1 was born DH's dad had been doing their family tree and the name Maggie Bella appeared on it several times, short for Margaret Isabella. We were so tempted by it, family were horrified, alas no girls yet and now we have a Magnus, so we can't really have a Maggie as well (currently pregnant with no. 3).

TanteRose · 22/03/2013 01:27

Hey there CY

I don't mind Mabel, but was thinking maybe it wouldn't go quite so well with your surname? too many "b"s?

only a few weeks to go...

bet you can't wait to meet your little girl Smile

Original poster
CheerfulYank · 22/03/2013 01:20

Yup, Anon, her name was Melba like the toast. :)

I remember Mad About You, frika. I was actually thinking of that yesterday! I was a kid when their Mabel was born and I remember thinking "ewwwwwww." :o

Also I am American so Margaret Thatcher (and Princess Margaret) don't immediately jump to mind.

OP posts:
MidnightMasquerader · 21/03/2013 23:41

You are way ahead of the curve with names like Margeret and Mabel, Cheerful.

In another 5-10 years' time, everyone will be going for names like these, as the trend for frilly, feminine names starts to wane. Well, it already is.

Get in now and when your DD is a teen she'll have a name that's the height of chic. Wink

tigerdriverII · 21/03/2013 23:27

Yy agree. Tired and emotional here as they say.

anonymosity · 21/03/2013 23:26

I do think that makes a lot of difference, like with Isabel etc.

tigerdriverII · 21/03/2013 23:24

My pal Maribel isn't poncy. Sorry, shouldn't have added the le at the end.

anonymosity · 21/03/2013 23:22

Maribelle is poncy.

tigerdriverII · 21/03/2013 23:15

No, she is a tweeny in some dreary bonnet drama like Downton. More ambition needed! Maribelle is nicer and more modern and sounds the same but isn't a very old lady.

fruitpastille · 21/03/2013 23:11

Mabel sounds very old lady and the opposite of a strong character to me. Am i the only person who thinks 'Thatcher' when they hear Maggie? Meg is ok and i love Esme.

thegreylady · 21/03/2013 23:00

I love Mabel too.I know one aged 3 nn Mabs :)

BlueBowTie · 21/03/2013 22:54

LOVEIT!

Trinpy · 21/03/2013 22:52

I love old lady names but I don't think Mabel is very pretty. Reminds me of the char lady in the BBC series You Rang M'Lord

Obviously not an association for your dc's generation though. If you love it and you think your dd would love it then go for it.

anonymosity · 21/03/2013 22:34

Melba? As in Melba toast? (that must age me, terribly)

Coffee1Sugar · 21/03/2013 20:54

My mums dogs called Mabel Confused

MirandaGoshawk · 21/03/2013 20:43

Yes, I love it. I love Mavis too.

I hate Maggie and Peggy

Frikadellen · 21/03/2013 20:42

I dont mind it reminds me of Mad about you the sit com (not sure if any recalls it) they name their baby Mabel as it is short for an anagram of " Mother Always Brings Enormous Love"

Beatrixpotty · 21/03/2013 20:20

Sorry ,don't like it,had a great aunt called that and to me it is v old lady.I actually prefer Melba!

Original poster
CheerfulYank · 21/03/2013 17:26

DH says it reminds him of an old woman in curlers and an apron, making eggs for her mean husband Hmm. Which apparently rules it out...

OP posts:
buttercrumble · 21/03/2013 06:07

Mabel is lovely , Maggie is hideous

anonymosity · 21/03/2013 05:57

I love it but it is in that category of fashionable names like Molly and Alfie, isn't it? I wouldn't be surprised if in 15 yrs it was like Sarah or Jennifer were.

Swipe left for the next trending thread