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Baby names

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

Original poster

Mabel?

82 replies

BrightBlueSpells · 24/05/2016 10:03

Expecting DC3 any day now - have two boys already so, while we are sure this will be another DS (and have a boy's name already), we are still discussing girls' names.

We like 'Mabel' but DH family say it's frumpy and dated. On the other hand, our friends mostly say it's lovely.

I am not from an English speaking country so I have no associations at all - just love the 'feel' of it.

I'd love to know what you all think!

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Sophronia · 25/05/2016 05:36

It's lovely.

LowAMH · 24/05/2016 22:44

I don't like it as to me it does sound dowdy and frumpy, similar to Doris or Winifred!

On the other hand I do like some of the other old fashioned names which have come back. Martha, Florence, Evelyn, Ruby, Nora are good ones...

julfin · 24/05/2016 22:04

It is old-fashioned but, as PPs have said, old-fashioned names are popular at the moment, so I think people will see beyond that.

I always think of the French, "ma belle" so for me it has a pretty association. And Belle would be a lovely nickname.

Original poster
BrightBlueSpells · 24/05/2016 21:48

At risk of outing myself, one has quite a popular 'J' name and the other has something that sounds a bit like Owen but with a more regional spelling ;) due to husband's birthplace

OP posts:
Ffion3107 · 24/05/2016 21:40

Go for it, I think it's lovely!
Can I be extremely rude and ask what your boys are called? Grin
I have an Elsie and a boy due in September!

Original poster
BrightBlueSpells · 24/05/2016 21:34

10 hate
22 love

Thanks for all the insights!

OP posts:
Theimpossiblegirl · 24/05/2016 20:56

Love it! I know a toddler Mabel and she is the cutest little girl.

Ktay · 24/05/2016 20:44

Love it, as presumably do Bruce Willis, Tracey ullman and Jools Holland as we have all used it for our DDs. DD1 is one of two in her class in fact

Vardyparty · 24/05/2016 19:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheDropBear · 24/05/2016 19:48

My first thought is auntie Mabel from Come Outside. In fact I now can't stop singing the song.
That was an old woman but I don't have strong feelings about the name either way, old names are always coming back into fashion. If she ends up disliking it at least it shortens to May which I think is less dated.

Elvisrocks · 24/05/2016 19:44

Sorry I really don't like it either.

SoThatHappened · 24/05/2016 19:39

I knew a 75 year old who had it as her middle name. She was embarrassed of that and it was only a middle name.

It's an awful name IMO.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 24/05/2016 19:36

Love it!

I knew a toddler called Mabel, she must be 20 something now so it was very unusual back then.

lovecaketoomuch · 24/05/2016 19:31

Love it!

lljkk · 24/05/2016 19:10

It makes me cringe... but less than I used to. Grin
I am a big fan of choosing a name you like & sod what other people think.

teabag20048 · 24/05/2016 18:51

It seems to be making a comeback like a lot of names, my friend has called her little girl Mabel. Go with what you feel, once baby arrives.

Nuttypops · 24/05/2016 16:14

I like it. It's a pretty name that you don't hear often anymore. My 1 year old DD has an old fashioned name more used in my grandparents' generation so I do like names like that.

AlmaMartyr · 24/05/2016 16:12

I like it. I know a little girl called Mabel and everyone seems to love her name. It's beautiful on her and sounds very sweet.

IoraRua · 24/05/2016 16:03

It's horrible imo. Sorry op but I genuinely really dislike it.

Maudelish · 24/05/2016 15:45

I really like it, I think it's beautiful but it does have frumpy connotations. My dog is called Mabel by the way, but don't let that put you off Blush

Meeep · 24/05/2016 15:36

I like it.

Original poster
BrightBlueSpells · 24/05/2016 15:33

6 hates
13/14 likes/loves

Thank you for all the helpful comments, positive and negative

OP posts:
Dapplegrey2 · 24/05/2016 14:01

I adore the name Mabel.
I wish we'd called our dd that.

Dizzydodo · 24/05/2016 13:59

I think it's very sweet, but I like old fashioned names (Elsie is a favourite of mine too).

avocadosweet · 24/05/2016 13:56

Love it! Yes, May for short, doesn't have to be for a May born baby.