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Baby names

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Original poster

New poll - Arabella, Hermione, Verity

92 replies

Ruthshaw1980 · 22/04/2018 10:05

Morning all

Following on from your excellent suggestions regarding unusual girl names with at least three syllables, we have whittled our preferred girl names to a final three:

Arabella
Hermione
Verity

Those of you who contributed may see that two of these names (Verity, Hermione) had previously been discounted by DH but your lists helped to bring these back into focus and change his mind, so your assistence has had a measurable effect!

Consequently, I kindly ask if people could rank these names in order of preference. I cannot decide which of these is my number one. My concern with Arabella, is that she will just be called Bella latter on, which although a lovely nn is quite common now. Regarding Hermione, is this still too Harry Potter-esk?

All contributions will be greatly received.

OP posts:
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HeyDolly · 22/04/2018 20:16

Yep, I don’t tar other literary names with the same brush (apart from Scout & Atticus) - I think it’s because Hermione is so distinctive.

RavenWings · 22/04/2018 20:15

I would never choose Hermione partly due to the book (not a huge fan), and also because I just don't like it.
HP is hugely popular with kids and the name was fairly unknown before that. I wouldn't want people to think I named her after a book character I dislike, so I'd avoid it.

ICantCopeAnymore · 22/04/2018 20:07

For all the people who would never choose the NAME Hermione because its from Harry Potter (Oh no!), do you tar the name Harry with the same brush?

Or other literary names? Emma, Rebecca, Lyra, Heidi, Darcy etc? Or is it just Hermione?

BackIntoTheSun · 22/04/2018 19:53

Arabella
Verity
Hermione

Crushedgrapesworkforme · 22/04/2018 19:35

Arabella /Bella (v pretty name if kept in full Bella common now for Isabella which
I also love 💕
Verity
Hermione
Whatever you choose .. choose once you’ve seen your baby.. she will pick her name .. and it will be true .. or it maybe different from those above

ICantCopeAnymore · 22/04/2018 19:21

Hermione sounds nothing like hormone Confused

daisypond · 22/04/2018 19:17

I like them all.
Probably Verity first.
Hermione - I think of the classical Greek character first, then the Shakespearean one. But the HP association might put me off.
Arabella - nice, classic, but a little frilly for my taste.

trueblueari · 22/04/2018 19:17

Also if you have another shortening you prefer for Arabella, like Ari or Belle, start using it early enough and others will catch on.
That or tell them off if they call her Bella, I've had to do this with my dad's wife - my DD is Chantilly and she's called her Tilly since day 1. DD doesn't answer to it and stepmum gets pissy so I just tell her "if you want her to answer you, use her name."
She's 4 now and stepmum is finally getting the idea. She's the only one though, for what it's worth. I thought it would get shortened a lot to either Shanti or Tilly but it's never been an issue.

trueblueari · 22/04/2018 19:13

Arabella
Verity
Hermione

I do think Hermione is still a bit too associated with HP, sorry.

AfterSchoolWorry · 22/04/2018 18:32

Arabella

Hermoine is too much like hormone

Verity is underwhelming.

BossWitch · 22/04/2018 18:27
  1. Hermione. Just fab.
  2. Verity. Unusual and feels like a strong name.
  3. Arabella. Too foofy. Too many soft sounds in one place.
RoundaboutSnail · 22/04/2018 18:25

Hermione
Arabella
Verity

RavenWings · 22/04/2018 18:23

1.Verity by a mile.
2.Arabella - bit fluffy imo and Bella is bland
3.Hermione - Harry Potter.

Rednailsandnaeknickers · 22/04/2018 18:19

Verity - lovely
Hermione - I love HP and she's such a fab character, but your child may not want to be saddled with such a strong association forever.
Arabella - meh. Bland.

pepperpop · 22/04/2018 17:54

I like Verity best, then Arabella. Don't like Hermione (too HP and also just not keen on how it sounds)

SE13Mummy · 22/04/2018 17:52

Having just read your original thread, I'd definitely go with Verity as it goes so nicely with your DS's name.

If not, I think Naomi, Miriam, Keziah, Lydia, Talitha, Susanna, Madeleine or Bethany might fit the bill.

SE13Mummy · 22/04/2018 17:40

Verify
Hermione

Arabella

thegreylady · 22/04/2018 17:32

Verity
Hermione
Arabella (my dgd used to recite a poem about caterpillar Arabella which has stuck in my mind).

n0ne · 22/04/2018 17:29

Love Verity, Hermione is nice but sounds like you're HP fans, not keen on Arabella.

RiceBaby · 22/04/2018 17:10

Verity - I could see someone with that name being bery successful.

oldbirdy · 22/04/2018 17:04

Arabella is my least favorite girl's name. I don't know why, exactly, I think the "ara" bit reminds me of arrogant. It brings up the idea of a girl who is snooty and looks down on people who don't have a pony and a brand new "range" for driving on suburban roads.

The other two names are ok. I prefer Verity.

chicaxe · 22/04/2018 17:00

Verity - beautiful name.

Sophronia · 22/04/2018 17:00

I only like Hermione. Verity sounds like “ferrety”.

BringMeCoffeePlease · 22/04/2018 16:59

Arabella
Hermione
Verity

Verity is awful. It gives me the shivers.

And Hermione is too Harry Potter.

ICantCopeAnymore · 22/04/2018 15:05

Hermione is fantastic. The Harry Potter reference just makes it even better. Who wouldn't want to be associated with such a fabulous character?

Verity is nice.

Arabella is awful, sorry. I've taught lots, and many variations of it. I've also heard it on the playground where children were saying Arabell-end, so that puts me off massively.