Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Annabel?

55 replies

Cockerwalk · 14/08/2022 08:59

Annabel, Annabelle or Annabella? Seems to have dropped out of the top 100 in the UK and I’m quite surprised because I’d have thought it was seen as quite similar to Isabel, Isabelle and Isabella?

Do you think it’s maybe a bit dated?

Has to go with a three syllable surname.

Thanks wise mumsnetters!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Original poster
Cockerwalk · 15/08/2022 16:52

@Pemba I did think that 😂 Thank you x

OP posts:
Pemba · 15/08/2022 16:12

Just make sure you always say Annabel and Julian. Problem solved!

pinklavenders · 15/08/2022 14:15

you’ll be saying JuliAN ANd ANabel so three Ans in a row.

Yes, that would make make me rule it out actually.

Pemba · 15/08/2022 12:09

Annabel spelled like that is more simple and elegant. Lovely name and not over popular.

Annabelle is too frilly as pps said. Plus the horror film about the doll.

pantherrose · 15/08/2022 12:07

Much prefer Annabelle to Annabel.

midsomermurderess · 15/08/2022 12:04

It makes me think of Sarah Ferguson. She wanted to call her eldest Annabel but it was apparently deemed unacceptable. Too pony-club suburban or something.

MummingIt2018 · 15/08/2022 11:58

It's a lovely name however it's spelt - and whichever you choose you/they will have to spell it out all the time like many names. However, I’m not sure it goes with Julian - you’ll be saying JuliAN ANd ANabel so three Ans in a row.

Denny53 · 15/08/2022 11:47

One of our GDs is Annabelle although we often call her Belle It’s a lovely name

misspattycake · 15/08/2022 11:44

My daughter is called Annabel and I know of two others all born last year! It's a beautiful name, I prefer the english spelling but the others I know both are with the french( Annabelle)

MrsSamR · 15/08/2022 09:09

Annabel is one of my daughter's middle names - we preferred the English rather than the French spelling but that is just down to personal preference. It's nice as it gives options of Annie or Belle as nicknames too. Go for it!

Original poster
Cockerwalk · 14/08/2022 17:39

@Hobbesmanc now interestingly, Arabella had always been my top girls name, after reading Pope’s ‘Rape of the Lock’ at uni.

@Remainiac I suppose I’d have to just resign myself to it being her choice what diminutive she uses as she ages!

OP posts:
Remainiac · 14/08/2022 17:11

We have an Annabel in the family, she’s in her 50s though and is always Anna 🤷‍♀️which is a shame as it’s a pretty name.
I like Arabella too.

Hobbesmanc · 14/08/2022 17:08

Cockerwalk · 14/08/2022 12:22

@Hobbesmanc oh no! Well I’m very much not a fan of any of those other names you just mentioned.

I dread to think of your opinion on Julian!

Lol. Julian was my least favourite Famous Five. But I guess you probably won't be going with Dick Grin.

What about Arabella. Or even Arbella who was a Tudor princess.

Original poster
Cockerwalk · 14/08/2022 15:21

Yeah, it’s a good point isn’t it @pinklavenders! I’m not convinced it’s a deal breaker because of the infrequency in which I’d need to say the two names together but def something to consider!

We’ve just been practising saying it here but I don’t think we’re getting the full effect because we’re enunciating in a way we wouldn’t usually.

OP posts:
pinklavenders · 14/08/2022 15:15

Actually Julian & Annabel doesn't work so well together.... especially when said together...
JulieAnnabel Grin

Original poster
Cockerwalk · 14/08/2022 15:15

@TheWayTheLightFalls I hadn’t thought of that at all and you’re right, it is a bit repetitive.

OP posts:
Theoldwoman · 14/08/2022 15:12

I love Annabel.

eddiemairswife · 14/08/2022 15:08

My granddaughter's feeding and wetting doll.

TheWayTheLightFalls · 14/08/2022 15:08

Not a fan, and don’t like the ananan sound of “Julian and Annabel”. but sounds like I’m in the minority.

EdgeOfACoin · 14/08/2022 15:05

I much prefer Annabel and Isabel over Annabelle and Isabelle.

Annabel is pretty without being fussy.

Retrievemysanity · 14/08/2022 13:00

Annabelle was on my list for DD2. I like it and have only met one in the last 14 years. Goes with Julian, reminds me of the Famous Five with Julian and Anne!

jammiewhammie65 · 14/08/2022 12:59

To me it's very old fashioned

Normandy144 · 14/08/2022 12:58

Annabel is the nicer spelling.

Bunnyannesummers · 14/08/2022 12:58

I thought of the horror film too sorry!

PolkaDotMankini · 14/08/2022 12:54

I have a primary-aged Annabel. She never gets called by a nickname. She does like to tell people that her real name is Annabella though, and to write her name in any variation she fancies Hmm Her brother has discovered the 'baby Annabell' song, which is extremely annoying for everyone. I still like her name!