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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Arabella?

54 replies

Pickingnamesishard · 31/08/2023 03:34

What are your opinions on this name? Do you love it or Hate it? I think it’s beautiful but I would love to hear your thoughts.

OP posts:

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BCBird · 01/09/2023 16:11

A bit flowery🙄

Pemba · 01/09/2023 15:59

lemonyellows · 31/08/2023 12:14

I studied Jude the Obscure and have never been keen since.

The Arabella in 'Jude' was called Abby for short if I recall, which also makes sense, so you're not restricted to Bella for a diminutive. She was also a butcher's daughter, so not posh!

I do quite like it, it's pretty and a little different, although I overall prefer the sound of Annabel or Isabel/la (but there are so many of these around).

AppleTurnover1000Degrees · 01/09/2023 15:56

I like it.

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 01/09/2023 15:37

hylian · 31/08/2023 05:52

It's ok but I think it's quite middle class 'posh'.

Not anymore...

Hanasmother · 01/09/2023 15:15

I like bella better than Arabella. The reason why i don't like it is:
This name has variant meanings, such as “ prayerful “ which is Latin, “ eagle heroine “ which is German, “ Little Arabian woman “ which is Spanish, and “ beautiful “ which is English. This name has been used for both boys and girls, but it is more popular for girls.]

GrouchyKiwi · 01/09/2023 15:15

Our youngest is Arabella. Her sisters call her Ba. She has never been called Bella.

LollipopChaos · 01/09/2023 15:10

Someone I know who is common as muck called her daughter this and it's very much like Aaarrrrraaabeeelllllllaaaaaaa! So I always hear her voice. But it's a pretty name!

Iamclearlyamug · 01/09/2023 15:04

I love it, it's been on my list for if I ever have another child (I won't, but just in case 🤣)

toastofthetown · 01/09/2023 14:51

I find it both ugly and clunky sounding, and overly frilly at the same time. Like a hippo wearing tutu. And -bella names are done to death. It’s spiked massively in popularity recently, and I think Arabella will date to this time period.

DinnaeFashYersel · 31/08/2023 18:21

It's a bit frilly but not awful

I prefer Isabella

Nutterjacks · 31/08/2023 18:20

GoodnightJude1 · 31/08/2023 06:14

It’s one of Arctic Monkeys best songs IMO 😀

I thought the exact same thing 😂

WanderingWitches · 31/08/2023 18:16

It's a good name

43ontherocksporfavor · 31/08/2023 18:13

Annabella is preferable.

LadyEloise1 · 31/08/2023 18:11

genesis92 · 31/08/2023 17:51

It's a very try-hard posh name IMO.

I agree.
A bit like Araminta.

genesis92 · 31/08/2023 17:51

It's a very try-hard posh name IMO.

villamariavintrapp · 31/08/2023 17:43

'Orrible. From the Latin orabilis.

Star0Fire · 31/08/2023 16:32

It's too try hard for me. Like fake posh. I much prefer Isobel

daisypond · 31/08/2023 15:41

It’s OK but I’m not keen. It’s very frilly and not very stylish.

thepurcellsisters · 31/08/2023 14:30

It's a favourite Heyer novel of mine. She's a great character so it's a yes from me.

Enko · 31/08/2023 14:29

I like it

Sdpbody · 31/08/2023 13:09

My lovely god daughter is called Arabella and it really suits her.

DuchessOfSausage · 31/08/2023 12:47

Arabel is too close to Arable.

LunaMay · 31/08/2023 12:43

Recent popular pornstar isn't it?

ArabeI · 31/08/2023 12:33

It's a beautiful name, and it reminds me of the Georgette Heyer novel of the same name, though I slightly prefer Arabel.

DuchessOfSausage · 31/08/2023 12:30

The Arabellas I know are called Ella or Bella.

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