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Baby names

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

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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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marcopront · 24/05/2016 13:49

There was a tv programme in the late 90s called Mad about You. They named their baby Mabel after an acronym Mothers always bring extra love.

weegiemum · 24/05/2016 13:37

I usually don't like the "Granny" names like Ruby, but I love Mabel, for some reason!!

pud1 · 24/05/2016 13:35

BrightBlueSpells - i ended up with a classic never go out of fashion name ( boring)

OneMagnumisneverenough · 24/05/2016 13:34

You could have May for short - even if she is born in June - I know a June that was born in April :)

MarySmilingAndHerBrassieres · 24/05/2016 13:26

I had a book called Mucky Mabel when I was a kid so I always think of this first.

Second impressions are that it is a bit frumpy.

But then I think it is quite pretty so I guess I'm confused.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 24/05/2016 13:22

To me it's certainly very frumpy and dated. Makes me think of an old biddy in one of those wraparound pinnies, putting her washing through the mangle.

LuckySantangelo1 · 24/05/2016 12:13

It's a lovely name. And fits with all the old fashioned names that have come back around. I'd go for it!

heron98 · 24/05/2016 12:09

Ha ha. No.

Original poster

BrightBlueSpells · 24/05/2016 12:05

Ok- So it's around 8/9 likes and 4 hates! (Also a few neutral responses).

Eek!

My heart says yes but my head says 'hmm'...

OP posts:

nectarini1983 · 24/05/2016 11:59

Frumpy and dated. Yuck!

Cel982 · 24/05/2016 11:43

It's fine, it's totally in keeping with the trend for retro names at the moment so it certainly won't raise any eyebrows. And I don't think it has anything to do with the month of May.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 24/05/2016 11:24

I like it and I know a small Mabel, but it does make me sing "Maybe it's Maybelline" in my head. Sorry

My own name is associated with a large global brand and I couldn't get away from it growing up. It was sung and chanted at me constantly at school.

TheWordOfBagheera · 24/05/2016 11:18

The one I know rhymes with Annabel

ABitAsleep · 24/05/2016 11:17

I have watched a film before with a May-Belle, which is similar but somehow prettier in my opinion

Original poster

BrightBlueSpells · 24/05/2016 11:16

How do you say Amabel - like Annabel or Ah-May-Bell??

OP posts:

summerwinterton · 24/05/2016 11:15

My Granny was a Mabel and I think it is a lovely, pretty name. No fags or pinnies with her. Was the kindest, happiest person I ever knew - so I say if you love the name then use it.

TheWordOfBagheera · 24/05/2016 11:14

I love it, but if you're unsure what about Amabel with Mabel as a nickname?

Dangerouswoman · 24/05/2016 11:12

Another one here with a great aunt Mabel (and Elsie for that matter.) it's ok,better than some old lady names.

OneMagnumisneverenough · 24/05/2016 11:08

I like it, it would have been deemed old fashioned when I was a teenager over 30 years ago, but now I think it's lovely and similar to all the other granny chic names around.

Original poster

BrightBlueSpells · 24/05/2016 11:03

Oh squoosh that's not good!

Another boy will make this a lot easier!

OP posts:

Original poster

BrightBlueSpells · 24/05/2016 11:01

Overthinking possibly, but is it wrong that - if I go even a few days overdue - MAYbel might be a June baby?

OP posts:

squoosh · 24/05/2016 10:59

Some old fashioned names are lovely but I agree with your DH's family that MabeI is just very frumpy and dated. Without wanting to sound like Lady Bracknell Mabel makes me picture a woman in a pinny with a fag hanging out of her mouth.

PartiallyStars · 24/05/2016 10:41

People think it's frumpy because it is the name of everyone's great aunt. I had a great aunt Mabel. But all those names are coming back - I know plenty of little Mabels, Elsies, Florences, so for the next generation that will just be pretty names. When you take the fact that it was an old fashioned name out of the equation, Mabel is a pretty name, with the sounds May and Belle.

AYD2MITalkTalk · 24/05/2016 10:38

I have a name that was considered old fashioned when my generation was born and when we were young (one that's now very popular). Nobody commented (other kids don't know what's old fashioned) and it never did any harm to me at all.

Original poster

BrightBlueSpells · 24/05/2016 10:37

And to the other posters as well

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