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Baby names

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

Original poster

Which MN combo for a girl?

32 replies

Gugglebum · 27/05/2013 04:28

We have around 11 weeks left, don't know the gender, boy's name is sorted, girl's first is as well. We can't agree on the middle name combination. First name 2 syllables, surname 1 syllable, and middles are down to:
Arabella Jane
Winter Jane

Without the distraction of how anyone feels about our chosen first name, which middles do you prefer, and why? One is DH's favourite, one is mine. TIA!

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Choccyhobnob · 29/05/2013 17:12

I think I prefer Winter (it's a name I would love to use but I know DH would veto it!)

I like Arabella Winter or Winter Arabella together although obviously only you know if it sounds right with First name and Surname. I apologise to any Janes out there but it is my number one absolute hate name so to me anything is better than that (think I've just met quite a few boring or horrible people called Jane which has given it a bad association in my head!)

amazingmumof6 · 28/05/2013 15:25

oh, just tell us the first name!

forgetmenots · 27/05/2013 23:22

I would prefer (stealing horry's example):
Alice Jane Winter Jones

HorryIsUpduffed · 27/05/2013 21:49

Definitely Arabella then.

Alice Arabella Jane Jones (for rhythm) scans nicely.

Original poster
Gugglebum · 27/05/2013 21:37

Allegra, your image of Arabella made me laugh out loud! Associations are so insurmountable sometimes. All of these comments are so helpful, thank-you all! Oh, and first is more DUH-duh in sound. I just know I won't respond rationally to harsh negative comments on the first name, so we're keeping mum on that one until baby is here. I'm not fussy about time of year matching the name, for me the sound and feel and personal meaning of a name weigh more heavily. I completely understand feeling opposite of that, though.

OP posts:
HorryIsUpduffed · 27/05/2013 19:56

Where's the stress on the first name? Da-DUH like Louise or DAH-duh like Alice? I would find Louise Arabella quite difficult to say, and I think the rhythm of a full name matters. How do the two potential full names flow?

I wouldn't use a season/month name in the wrong time (Nicole Kidman's daughter Sunday was born on a Monday which made me Hmm ) so unless there's a major sentimental reason for using Winter I would avoid.

Raahh · 27/05/2013 19:37

The Enid Blyton character was Amelia Jane. She was a doll who was always in trouble- 'Naughty Amelia Jane' seemed to feature in all the book titles, iirc.

'Winter' is one of my favourite songs, by Tori Amos. So, I vote for that Grin

lovemybabyboy · 27/05/2013 19:33

*does

lovemybabyboy · 27/05/2013 19:33

I prefer Arabella Jane. Winter is nice but doesn't flow as well with Jane as Arabella doe, IMO.

Badvoc · 27/05/2013 19:33

Winter?
For a summer born?
Erm...ok.
Don't like any of them tbh, and it's tricky without knowing the first name, but I would go for arabella Jane of those two.

rundontwalk · 27/05/2013 19:30

It's difficult without knowing the first name but I prefer Winter to Arabella,but prefer Arabella to Jane. So Winter Arabella?! Arabella is a bit jolly hockeysticks for me so Winter makes it a bit more edgy. Not sure that was v helpful,sorry!

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 27/05/2013 19:22

I saw the posting time and thought OP was in Oz in which case they're coming into winter.

Anyway why not Winter if people happily use Summer or Autumn. In this instance it's been suggested as a second name anyway. Unusual for sure and conjures up someone classy, elegant to me.

If she's your last baby just go for broke - 1st name plus Arabella Winter - gorgeous!

Original poster
Gugglebum · 27/05/2013 17:34

Arabella Winter is pretty, I agree! I suppose I'm a bit worried about too many syllables as my other children only have one middle name. This is the last hurrah on the baby front, so we're trying to squeeze in a few favourites! Winter Kate was vetoed because it's the middle name of some celebrity's kid. Jane is not an absolute, but we did sort of want a J initial as DH, and both of his parents are J names. And EauRouge, I do think you're right about that, I can't remember about Jane, but Arabella is a character name. Ah, pregnancy. Suddenly my clarity of thought and powers of reasoning are gone. Smile

OP posts:
AllegraLilac · 27/05/2013 17:34

I prefer Winter. Because I view the name as edgy and alternative, like Nicole Ritchie and Joel Madden's daughter, whereas years at stuffy schools has trained me to think of Arabella as a hockey stick wielding bully.

Personal experiences and all that. I'm assuming there's no associations for either of these two names for you?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 27/05/2013 17:34

Arabella Jane imho. Sorry but I think Winter is a bit silly.

EauRouge · 27/05/2013 17:05

Isn't Arabella Jane an Enid Blyton character?

Clargo55 · 27/05/2013 17:00

Yes Arabella Winter is so lovely, is that an option?

Winter is my favourite as a middle name though.

amazingmumof6 · 27/05/2013 16:54

actually I agree with forgetmenot - unless Jane is a xmust I'd vote for Arabella Winter as well!

forgetmenots · 27/05/2013 16:45

Sorry - just saw that its not a first name, can you tell us the first name? Might help :) not keen on Jane with Winter - too plain next to it, what about Kate or Claire?

forgetmenots · 27/05/2013 16:44

Arabella Winter is lovely :)

lucamom · 27/05/2013 16:10

Love winter-my fab season, and I think it's lovely as a name (not sure I'd be brave enough to have it as first name, but that's kind of the beauty of middle names)

Original poster
Gugglebum · 27/05/2013 14:22

The only Winter (though as a first name, not middle) that I've met is an April baby, and like some PP's, I assumed her parents had a bit of a story or reason to her name. I also knew a September who was not born in September and that one struck me as being a bit more odd. Seems about evenly split on our 2 names. Thanks all for your comments so far!

OP posts:
natandmat · 27/05/2013 08:46

I love both! Bit are on my list for girls! Not much help, sorry!

PrincessOfChina · 27/05/2013 07:49

I don't really go for Winter for a summer baby. Or May for a non May baby. Or Holly for a summer baby. I do like it otherwise though so if it has additional meaning to you then I actually prefer that to Arabella.

MortifiedAdams · 27/05/2013 07:47

I dont like Winter but I like Arabella even less so ID go for Winter. On hearing it, id assume you had some sort of back story as to.why you chose it.

I really really strongly dislike Arabella.