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Baby names

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

Original poster

Annabelle or Annabel?

55 replies

Pocketsizedpixie · 18/11/2016 00:37

Stuck in hospital waiting on a c-section. Think we've chosen Annabel/le as a name, but can't decide on spelling.

DH and I disagree, one of us thinks Annabel looks unfinished, the other thinks Annabelle is fussy.

Thoughts?

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Original poster
Pocketsizedpixie · 21/11/2016 11:21

We still can't decide!

OP posts:
GabsViolet · 21/11/2016 10:29

Annabelle - it's so much nicer! I'm not that keen on Annabel...

florascotianew · 19/11/2016 21:04

Annabel is not 'celtic' as suggested above. It comes from the Latin word 'Amabilis' which means lovable.
It was probably first used in fairly late medieval Lowland Scotland among noble people; very, very few of them knew anything much about Gaelic/Pictish culture. ('Celtic' as a description of culture does not really mean much.) Nor did they speak those languages or use Gaelic/Pictish names, on the whole. They spoke English (or Scots) or French and (if educated) knew Latin. They had names popular throughout Christian Europe: William, Robert, David, James/ Elizabeth, Margaret, Joan, Mary ..... and Amabel and Annabella
A similar name 'Amable' appears in medieval French www.behindthename.com/name/amabilia/tree

SorenaJ · 19/11/2016 07:51

Prefer Annabelle, looks beautiful and finished, Annabel looks a bit random and made up, like two separate names.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 18/11/2016 23:57

Annabelle. Or How about Anabelle.
Less ns and more Ls. Rather than the other way around. I agree Anabel looks unfinished and reminds me of babybel

oldspeckledtam · 18/11/2016 23:34

DH and I had very similar discussions. (he wanted Anabel, I wanted Annabelle). We compromised in the end and went Anabelle. She has to spell it out (she's 10 now) but every time it's written it's written differently- there isn't one spelling of it she gets more than others iyswim. Anyway, she hates it and has insisted on being Ana since she was about 5. If I'd have known she wanted to be Ana, she'd have been Annabel.

Flowercat16 · 18/11/2016 21:12

I love Annabelle and Annabella. So pretty and girly.

Barefootcontessa84 · 18/11/2016 18:57

Another vote for Annabel!

Pemba · 18/11/2016 17:13

Agree with pps, Annabel looks more elegant, Annabelle is unnecessarily fussy.

Besides that, wasn't there a recent horror film about a doll called Annabelle? And a few years ago a kids' film with a cartoon cow Annabelle?

Annabel all the way!

lentilyoghurtweaver · 18/11/2016 17:05

Annabel is celtic origin, meaning loveable. Annabelle is french origin, meaning grace and beauty.

HoratioNightboy · 18/11/2016 17:00

There are almost 130 recorded spellings of the name but Annabel is the oldest and most widely used. That's what I'd go for.

CancellyMcChequeface · 18/11/2016 15:50

I like Annabel. Annabelle seems a bit too frilly and frothy.

NavyandWhite · 18/11/2016 14:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KellyElly · 18/11/2016 13:45

Annabelle

FreddoFrog · 18/11/2016 13:35

Another vote for Annabel.

CoffeeCoffeeAndLotsOfIt · 18/11/2016 13:30

Annabel definitely.

I've named my 8 week old Isobel (rather than Isabelle).

OlennasWimple · 18/11/2016 13:26

Noooo! Annabel Clara is far too close to Annie and Clarabel!!

EsmesBees · 18/11/2016 13:23

Annabelle is the prettier spelling. However, I've a friend with this spelling and she says that no one can ever spell it, which annoys her.

ThomasRichard · 18/11/2016 13:16

I know one Annabel and one Annabelle. Both with Elizabeth as s middle name!

Original poster
Pocketsizedpixie · 18/11/2016 12:22

Clara is lovely, would go well as a middle name I think. We already have a DC beginning in C and I'm very keen that they have different initials!

OP posts:
ThunderR0ad78 · 18/11/2016 12:20

Oh meant to say for DD2 my second favourite girls name was Clara.
Annabelle & Clara, I thought they were lovely together!

I ended up having a boy though second time around!

DramaAlpaca · 18/11/2016 12:04

Annabel, it's a lovely name.

I find Annabelle too frilly & fussy, as if it has extra letters it doesn't need. It also for some reason makes me want to put the stress on the last syllable, like AnnaBELL.

ThunderR0ad78 · 18/11/2016 12:03

My little girl is Annabelle. I too gave thought to the way in which to spell it and decided on the above. To me 'Annabelle' looks more elegant and professional but each to their own. It's a lovely name regardless.

Re middle names I wanted to name her after my mum who is Alice Grace so she is Annabelle Alice - I also really liked Annabelle Grace but I decided if I'm naming her after my mum - then Alice it had to be!!!

Congratulations!

Original poster
Pocketsizedpixie · 18/11/2016 11:50

Beaky I think our top contenders are Grace or Rose, but these have been a bit less settled. I hope your little one puts in an appearance soon!

OP posts:
SpidersFromMars · 18/11/2016 11:36

Annabel. 7 letters - so much easier for a little one to learn to spell. The phonics of belle are hard!