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Baby names

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

Original poster

Honest opinion on our girls name....

40 replies

May2016baby · 27/12/2015 09:36

Hi we have a little girl due in May and we have been talking a lot about names recently. We both love the name Arabella which we would team with the middle name Rose (I know Rose is quite common but it's got a lot of meaning to me and I'm keen to stick to that middle name) what are your thoughts on the name Arabella Rose ? We would likely shorten Arabella to Belle (I prefer Belle to Bella) please honest opinions. Thanks : )

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Indole · 30/12/2015 16:23

Gosh no. Very gimmicky and also rather dated. And there are loads.

Original poster
May2016baby · 29/12/2015 21:35

Thanks, hopefully she won't become that kind of a person. Another name we had considered was Amelie but know it's becoming really popular. Do people prefer Amelie to Arabella?

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Oysterbabe · 27/12/2015 23:38

Makes me think of a fat, posh, horsy type.

This.
Rose is nice though.

Shadow1986 · 27/12/2015 22:29

Like it Smile

Sophronia · 27/12/2015 22:29

I'm not keen and I can see it becoming the next Isabella / Annabelle

Original poster
May2016baby · 27/12/2015 20:11

Thanks for everyone's honest opinions, seems to be a love/hate name. I'm currently loving it so we'll see if I still feel this way in May 🎀

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CelestiaLuna · 27/12/2015 18:46

Arabella is becoming very popular and I know 2 babies this year

Also if you look at the British baby name blog where there is a weekly round up of birth announcements Arabella Rose is extremely common. I think people are looking for an alternative to the super popular Isabella and Arabella seems to be it.

It won't be 'unusual' for long.

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 27/12/2015 17:11

I don't like arabella, it's too frilly and fussy and old fashioned. I also think you won't escape her being called bella. I would call her belle if that's what you want to call her but that won't work with rose

Goingtobeawesome · 27/12/2015 17:09

Arrabella is not to my taste. Hate Belle. My opinion doesn't matter though. It's what you want that matters.

WillSomebodyThinkOfStefan · 27/12/2015 17:05

It's lovely!

Original poster
May2016baby · 27/12/2015 16:54

Thanks so much omri!

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omri · 27/12/2015 16:50

I didn't know it was a trump name actually- googled it as it sounded familiar (I thought it was a fancy clothing label and wanted to check!) - so don't think anyone would know that of the name. Also really love your ds's name Julian and think they go together really well.

Twinkie1 · 27/12/2015 15:58

Makes me think of a fat, posh, horsy type.

Original poster
May2016baby · 27/12/2015 15:56

I do see what your saying Peggy and I wouldn't shorten it to Belle all the time it's just I'm aware that Arabella is a long name and so know that sometimes it will likely get shortened (I have a name that is shortened about 50 percent of the time!) also my son is only 2 and I know he will struggle to say Arabella so we thought giving the option of a shortened name would be helpful for him too. However we gave my son the name Julian with the intention to shorten it to Jules but he is just such a 'Julian' that we've never actually shortened it and have stuck with Julian (other people often call him Jules though).

OP posts:
SilverOldie2 · 27/12/2015 15:49

I think Arabella is lovely.

Itsallaboutme3 · 27/12/2015 15:48

I really like it. What a lovely name.

peggyundercrackers · 27/12/2015 15:47

If your going to shorten it to belle why not just use that? Don't see the point of giving the child a long name then using the short version.

AnnaBegins · 27/12/2015 15:46

I like it and love the nickname belle.

Original poster
May2016baby · 27/12/2015 15:39

Thanks everyone! I had seen that ivanka trump had a daughter with that name. Hopefully not too many people know that! : )

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omri · 27/12/2015 14:48

I think it's beautiful. Just so you know - It's the name of ivanka trump's daughter.

BendydickCuminsnatch · 27/12/2015 14:42

Belle is lovely, Arabella is just not my taste, too frilly and usual. Belle is really sweet though. Rose as a middle name is ordinary. Go a bit wild with the middle name!! Grin

HeadfirstForHalos · 27/12/2015 14:42

I like it. I see it more as Ara Bella if you spilt it, would never have seen it as Arab Ella. Love Rose too, it was on our list for dd2, we went with Rosie in the end but she does get cakes Rose sometimes Smile

Original poster
May2016baby · 27/12/2015 14:38

Thanks everyone. Thinking we may stick with Arabella Rose then. Hopefully we don't go off it in the next 4 months! 💓

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anotherbusymum14 · 27/12/2015 14:33

I like it :)

AverageSnowflake01 · 27/12/2015 14:31

I've considered Arabella and my grandmothers name was Rose. Arabella Rose sounds lovely.

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