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Baby names

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

Original poster

Arabella or......

31 replies

livingthebeachhutlife · 05/12/2023 20:45

What are your thoughts on Arabella?
Is it likely to be shortened? I prefer names that generally less likely to be shortened.
Would you name a girl this?

Still super unsure and lost re girls names.
Evelina really intruiged me on another post, so have been mulling that over.

Also really liking Lily Rose and Summer Rose but concerned they are a bit "sweet"?

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SquigglePigs · 11/12/2023 07:14

I love Arabella but unfortunately when we had DD I had the name filed under "name I love but would never actually use" and I do regret it now. It would definitely get shortened though. Personally I wouldn't mind because I also like Bella, which would be my go-to shortening.

Lily and Summer are both nice and Rose is fine as a middle name but please don't hyphenate them!

Evelina is pretty and quite unusual.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 10/12/2023 23:32

I really like Arabella

LastNightIDreamtIWasAtManderleyAgain · 10/12/2023 22:52

Alys
Ariadne
Carmen
Emily
Irene
Iris
Lorine
Louisa
Marianne
Martina
Meriel
Moira
Nadia
Rosalind
Stevie
Yasmine

Daisybuttercup12345 · 10/12/2023 22:32

Sounds arrogant. Will likely be shortened to Bella too.
Fay
Lucy
Sarah
Katie
Emma
Grace
Leah
Dora
Julia
Harriet
Serena
Zoe
Amy
Alice
Laura
Olivia
Erica
Eden

LastNightIDreamtIWasAtManderleyAgain · 10/12/2023 22:09

Isn't Arabella the eponymous heroine of a Georgette Heyer novel?

Anna Maria
Artemisia
Brigitte
Caroline
Cecily
Clara
Dorothea
Elise
Francesca
Gabrielle
Jacynth
Katya
Laila
Linnet
Loveday
Lucia
Marguerite
Michelle
Minette
Pearl
Raffaella
Rosa
Ruth
Tamsyn
Shirley
Valeria

miniaturepixieonacid · 10/12/2023 21:55

I like it. I teach one who is always Arabella, not shortened. I know another one who is Bella.

I also teach an Ara (her name isn't Arabella, it's a Nigerian name but same nn) and I don't think it sounds awkward as a shortened name at all. It's no different to Ava, really.

PainterInPeril · 08/12/2023 06:16

@livingthebeachhutlife What about Frederica? Any good?

CrikeyMajikey · 08/12/2023 05:05

I like it, it was on my shortlist along with Emmeline and Camilla.

momonpurpose · 08/12/2023 04:15

I love Arabella. I have one. But it's true everyone will call them Bella. Drives me crazy especially when I do it myself

peaceinourtime · 08/12/2023 03:50

Arabella is fine, she will probably become a Bella.

Chipsandbeansandcheese · 06/12/2023 11:47

Lily Rose and Summer Rose have been done to death. Every girl has Rose as a middle name.

cornflakesandtea · 06/12/2023 08:37

DD (13) has a friend called Arabella and I don't think they ever shorten it, not to me at least. I quite like it, but maybe I'm biased because she's a lovely kid!

KirstenBlest · 06/12/2023 08:21

Susanna Lily - well at least it's not two random flowers, just 'Lily Lily'

KirstenBlest · 06/12/2023 08:19

It's a bit 'posh' and a bit Disney princess downmarket at the same time.
It usually gets shortened to Bella or Ella.

Evelina will be another Evie. It makes me think of the hospital, and sounds like 'ever leaner'.

Lily Rose and Summer Rose - I think there's an unspoken rule that every Lily has to be a Lily Rose, and it's a bit too 'unrelated flowers' as a name.
Summer Rose sounds a bit like a name of a teaset design.

theduchessofspork · 06/12/2023 07:44

I like Arabella but it probably will get shortened, as would Evelina

Lily is overdone and wet IMO, and Summer a bit naff

you probably don’t want more than three syllables to try and avoid shortening, maybe..

Saskia
Estella
Selina
Adela
Allegra
Fernanda

Jasmine, Violet and Iris are flower names with a bit more omph

user1492757084 · 06/12/2023 02:31

Arabella is nicest as a full name, I agree.
Arabella Rose
Other ideas ..
Gabriella Rose
Jacqueline Rose
Susanna Lily
Summer Arrietta
Lisa Annabel
Astrid Lily
Estella Rosemary

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 05/12/2023 23:19

I like it but think I prefer Arabelle.

ButterCupPie · 05/12/2023 22:51

JamSandle · 05/12/2023 21:32

I like the names.

In a similar vein:

Evangeline
Meadow
Autumn

Meadow Soprano... who remembers her?

Mumofgirls2017 · 05/12/2023 22:17

I like arabella and evelina

aurelia
aria
aurora
ariana
ariadne
evangeline
evelyn
beatrice
luna
felicity
emmeline
sophiq

BoredofBlonde · 05/12/2023 21:52

gorgeous name, Bella is cute too

marleymoo12 · 05/12/2023 21:38

I have an Arabella and we shorten it to Bella but I love the name Arabella!

Theoldwoman · 05/12/2023 21:35

I prefer Ella by a long way.
Whatabout Annabel?

NuffSaidSam · 05/12/2023 21:34

It's a bit fussy for me.

Also, very likely to be shortened to Bella (or Ari) so.i would use it if you don't want it shortened.

JamSandle · 05/12/2023 21:32

I like the names.

In a similar vein:

Evangeline
Meadow
Autumn

ChanelNo19EDT · 05/12/2023 21:31

Ha ha same Ptolemy and Araminta, time for your trumpet lesson.

I remember wondering what class of madness possessed the parents of children with these names.

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