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Original poster

What does Annabelle remind you of?

83 replies

dogfishing · 17/08/2021 21:54

DH really likes the name Annabelle. I'm open to it, but I'm trying to figure out if it has some kind of negative connotation in the UK.

We both grew up abroad, which is why I'm afraid of missing some kind of negative connotation (like, I don't know, maybe there used to be catfood called Annabelle or something).

There seems to be a doll in the UK called baby Annabell, but that doesn't put me off. Should it?

Any other reason not to give that name to a child growing up here?

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RichPetunia · 18/08/2021 22:35

A possessed doll or Annabelle’s nightclub.

manhattenrain · 18/08/2021 20:58

Despite the horror movie, I still love it. Such a shame the movie has ruined it for so many people.

Noshowwithoutpunch · 18/08/2021 20:57

Love Annabelle
Adore both Anna and Belle as everyday names.

BasicB · 18/08/2021 20:52

I love it! I went to school with two Annabels and thought it was so pretty. I do prefer that spelling to Annabelle though.

grapewine · 18/08/2021 20:47

The horror film.

lottiegarbanzo · 18/08/2021 20:34

Lovely, slightly posh, horsey kind of name. But really, a lovely name.

I like it and wouldn't mind being an Annabelle (though don't feel it quite suits me - I'd imagine her as blonde, cheerful and friendly, an open, easy to get on with sort of person).

My associations, all fairly mild:

Annabelle's nightclub in London (never been! but know of it as v. upmarket Knightsbridge kind of place).

Annabelle Croft, decades ago British tennis player.

Baby Annabelle doll. I've heard the name, know kids that have them but don't regard it as a big deal. The doll has the name because it's a nice name.

KineticSand · 18/08/2021 18:46

I taught a girl called Annabelle and all her classmates would annoy her by calling her "baby Annabelle".

Klippertyklop · 18/08/2021 18:43

Annabell or Annabelle may frequently get shortened to Annabel here unless spelt out, but if you can live with that, there's no reason why you shouldn't choose a spelling that's common in your native country. Makes it more interesting than a made up spelling IMHO.

Booboosweet · 18/08/2021 17:39

It makes me think of a duck.

SionnachRua · 18/08/2021 17:26

Horror film springs to mind right away.

I'm not loving the Annabelle spelling, seems very unnecessarily frilly.

notacooldad · 18/08/2021 17:25

I can rethink of anything bad.
I know a teenage Annabelle and a little girl of 7 (neighbour). I think it is a good name.

NovacDino · 18/08/2021 17:22

I've taught quite a few Annabelles and they were all absolutely brilliant, in lots of different ways. That's all I think about when I think of the name, given that I won't watch horror films.

EdgeOfACoin · 18/08/2021 17:19

I'm not at all familiar with the horror film. Annabelle is a nice name, not unlike Isabelle (which is a very popular name here). I wouldn't let the horror film put you off.

As PPs have said, Annabel is the commonest spelling in the UK. Annabelle is less common and would be perceived as more frilly, but is a standard spelling. Annabell doesn't work at all, unfortunately, and would look like a misspelling.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 18/08/2021 16:31

(Even though she is arabella)

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 18/08/2021 16:30

“Does my bum look big in this?”

GintyMcGinty · 18/08/2021 16:28

Annabelle is a bit 1980s to me.

Anna is lovely

iklboo · 18/08/2021 16:26

Horror doll.

ufucoffee · 18/08/2021 16:23

I don't know about a film or a doll. I think it's a really pretty name

proopher · 18/08/2021 16:11

Not the horror doll, to be clear - the ordinary one that children play with.

proopher · 18/08/2021 16:10

Just the doll. It's a lovely name though I do prefer Annabel.

yomellamoHelly · 18/08/2021 16:08

Horror doll

35andThriving · 18/08/2021 16:04

For this generation, most U.K. parents register the Annabelle spelling now.

gogohm · 18/08/2021 15:59

The normal spelling is annabel in the U.K.

rubydoobydoo · 18/08/2021 15:56

There is a German cat food called Sanabelle, maybe what you're thinking of?

Not well known in the UK although we order it for ours!

My first thought was the doll.

alexdgr8 · 18/08/2021 15:52

horsey. posh. aga sagas. refined. nightclub for rich people.

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