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Baby names

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

Original poster

Abel? Or Suggestions for twin names

83 replies

SupermarketSally · 26/10/2017 09:13

We are having boy/girl twins and really struggling with boys names.

I’ve posted before as we had chosen Jasper but we’ve both gone off of it now.

Current top runner for girls name is Effie. I dislike ‘matchy’ twin names so don’t want anything that begins in E or ends in the ‘ie/y’ sound.

We already have 3 DD’s and tend to go for slightly uncommon but not unheard of names.

So, thoughts on Abel? Or any other suggestions please? (We can’t have anything beginning or ending in S or X as it clashes with our surname)

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Ionarocks · 26/10/2017 11:45

Why did you get bullied? Can't think what there is to bully about the name.

Ionarocks · 26/10/2017 11:45

I know a little Abel, I like it.

Certainly better than being the murderer brother Cain!

Protectingmydaughterfromfilth · 26/10/2017 11:39

My surname is Abel and I got bullied SOOO badly for it as a kid at school. It affected my entire education. Please keep this in mind

ScrubbyGarden · 26/10/2017 11:37

I think Abel is lovely, but I wouldn't for a twin. Someone will start calling his sister Cain at some point too.

Short biblical names- Seth? Abe (Abraham)?
A names- Alden? Alf(red)

Naming is so hard!

allegretto · 26/10/2017 11:18

In a Thomas Hardy novel (can't remember which one) there is a character called Cain whom everyone calls Cainey so that he isn't embarrassed about his name. His mum got mixed up when she chose his name and forgot which one was the murderer - pity she wasn't on MN! Grin

Original poster
SupermarketSally · 26/10/2017 11:06

@NinonDeLenclos I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of it either.

OP posts:
NinonDeLenclos · 26/10/2017 11:01

I have to be honest I was gobsmacked at not having heard of Cain and Abel and I'm an atheist.

NinonDeLenclos · 26/10/2017 11:00

I'd call them Sebastian and Viola after the twins in Tweflth Night.

eeanne · 26/10/2017 11:00

I wouldn't choose Abel because of the connection to the Cain and Abel story. Then the fact that people have pointed out the teasing opportunities, if he's clumsy or bad at sports people will call him "Dis-Abel"

Abe or Abraham maybe?

BernardBlacksHangover · 26/10/2017 10:58

Fwiw the bible reference wouldn't bother me either. As you say, he was the good brother! I just don't really like Abel very much. Think there are nicer biblical names if that's what you like.

Original poster
SupermarketSally · 26/10/2017 10:44

It’s not that it doesn’t bother me because I hadn’t heard of it, it’s that it doesn’t bother me he was murdered, he was the ‘good’ brother.

Cain, yes I can see the issue but not Abel. Maybe it’s because it’s not commonly used the connections are stronger.

OP posts:
allegretto · 26/10/2017 10:41

I’d never heard of Cain and Abel

But most people have. In fact the only "famous" Abel I can think of, is the murdered one. If you want opinions on names, surely you want to know what other people think of them when they hear them?

Ilovewheelychairs · 26/10/2017 10:38

I’ve taught an Abel. He was fab!! I like it, very uncommon but still known. Yes, obviously they got the name from the Bible but once the child is born, the name just becomes who they are. After the first ‘oh that’s from Cain and Abel’ moment, Abel was just Abel.

Not sure why others think that it’s not okay to use that biblical name but it is okay to use others. Lilith for example is a she devil type person in the Bible but there are quite a few of those around! At least it’s a proper name, unlike Tyranny for example (yes, I have taught her and I have to say, it was more than just a ‘moment’ I had with her name!).

WindyOutThere · 26/10/2017 10:35

My first though was Cain too. I know you say it doesn’t bother you because you haven’t heard of it but I’m sure after years of hearing it whenever you introduce them, or for your son when he is older it will eventually get tiring. I’d say a large proportion of people will think of Cain and Abel. Just a thought.
Lots of other good ideas though!

JediStoleMyBike · 26/10/2017 10:28

My first thought was the son of the main character in Sons of Anarchy, for Abel.

I know of Cain and Abel but honestly didn't relate it. Maybe an age thing? Not sure. Don't want to presume anything of PPs!

Original poster
SupermarketSally · 26/10/2017 10:25

I do like Rafe! Thank you.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 26/10/2017 10:25

Benjamin?

It's a lovely name and can be shortened to Ben.

Original poster
SupermarketSally · 26/10/2017 10:24

@IHeartKingThistle well meant advice is not an issue at all, other wise I wouldn’t of posted Wink

However rudeness and trying to insult my intelligence is a step too far.

OP posts:
IHeartKingThistle · 26/10/2017 10:24

Ooh Effie and Rafe is lovely.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 26/10/2017 10:23

Yes, I like Abel/Abe, go with it !

IHeartKingThistle · 26/10/2017 10:23

If our well-meant advice on this thread is annoying you this much, OP, then you're really not going to cope with the Cain and Abel comments if you call your baby Abel, are you? Just saying.

I do love Effie though, but agree the two don't go together.

rollingonariver · 26/10/2017 10:22

Honestly? Cain and Abel was my first thought, I think most people would think that.
My DP is not Christian and I asked him and he said the same ! There’s a lot of reference to them in films etc. Personally I wouldn’t but I say that as a twin, people REALLY judge twin names and I’d stay away from anything like that.

BernardBlacksHangover · 26/10/2017 10:21

How about Bram? It's got a nicknamey sound (imo), like Effie does, without being too cutesy along with Effie.

I also love Jonah and Josiah if you like biblical names. Isaiah and Ishmael are lovely too I think (though pesky DH disagrees, otherwise I'd use one of them myself)!

bridgetreilly · 26/10/2017 10:21

I really don't like Abel for lots of reasons that pp have mentioned.

Other suggestions to go with Effie:
Jonah
Theo
Rafe
Ivor
Jacob
Leo
Hector

Original poster
SupermarketSally · 26/10/2017 10:18

You would think I asked for opinions on the name Judas Hmm

Not keen on Abraham, Noah etc.

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