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Baby names

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

Anna, Bella and Clara

38 replies

Rightontimes · 17/04/2024 09:12

Hi all, I'm pregnant with twin girls, I currently have a daughter named Anna who's almost 2.
The only names both DH and I like are Bella and Clara. I'm worried Anna, Bella and Clara sound a bit samey together but also not sure if it matters if they are the only names we love.
Should I use them or best not to?

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IamnotwhouthinkIam · 17/04/2024 22:43

They are different enough in sound that people won’t get confused. And all 3 are nice names. I do personally agree with some pp that Bella is slightly different in style to Anna and Clara ( being more of a shortening/bit less classic) - although it is cute that they would be ABC! But I’m assuming you’ve already considered Stella or Emma instead and prefer Bella, so I say go for it.

theduchessofspork · 17/04/2024 20:00

ElasticElsa · 17/04/2024 14:57

Beautiful names, don't ask other people as your taste is the only relevant opinion. You might not be fussed about their choice for their kids either. I will never understand why opinions on names are sought on here.
Go for what you and your husband like.

Because people want to know what other people think, or they wouldn’t ask.

theduchessofspork · 17/04/2024 19:59

Get rid of Bella - because it just sounds like the back end of another name (possibly Anna or Clara), it’s not a classic like those two, and the A,B, C thing is too much

Anna, Clara and Flora
Anna, Clara and Stella
Anna Clara and Emma
Anna Clara and Ida
Anna Clara and Freya
Anna, Clara and Laura
Anna, Clara and Esther
Anna, Clara and Georgia

personally I would go for 3 syllables so it’s less matchy matchy

Francesca
Lydia
Serena
Elizabeth (Eliza)
Miranda

W0rkerBee · 17/04/2024 17:57

Yes, love namesbut together, I'm getting thomas the tank engine, was there a clarabel?

How about
ANNA
STELLA
CLIO or LARA

MrsEish · 17/04/2024 17:55

I have granddaughters called Clara and Bella (sister is Pippa) never causes any issues, I think they are lovely names!

OctaviaRedQueen · 17/04/2024 17:30

I think of Annie and Clarabel from Thomas the Tank Engine.

Anna, Clara and then choose something completely different like Lucy or Beatrice.

Clara and Lucy would make good twins as they have the same meaning - ‘light’.

BrownTroutBlues · 17/04/2024 14:58

FlyingPizzaMonkey · 17/04/2024 12:29

Bella is also the number 1 for dogs, it’s also a bit blah, more of a nickname.

Hadn’t realised the A,B,C!

We have one plus twins and ended up with F A B, didn’t realise until a friend asked how are the fab boys 🤣🤣🤣

I would also loose the Bella simply because of the Annabelle and Clarabelle thing going on.

How about
Isla
Fiona
Iona ( live that name )

ElasticElsa · 17/04/2024 14:57

Beautiful names, don't ask other people as your taste is the only relevant opinion. You might not be fussed about their choice for their kids either. I will never understand why opinions on names are sought on here.
Go for what you and your husband like.

BringMeSunshineAllDayLong · 17/04/2024 14:52

Bella is always tricky if they turn out not all that Belle. Harsh but true. (See also Grace)

TheValueOfEverything · 17/04/2024 14:50

Hi OP. Afraid I’m another getting Thomas the tank engine vibes

bella and Clara are so similar. Given enabling an individual sense of identity is SO critical for twins I’d suggest choosing two more distinct names.

Also Bella is an extremely popular dog / doll name). Consider choosing another Italian name which has Bella as a nickname but gives your child other options - like Isabella, Gabriella, Annabella, Mirabella etc etc

notsohappyholidays · 17/04/2024 14:41

Congratulations on the twins @Rightontimes !

They are lovely names, and go together really well. I'm going to go against the grain and say I don't see the issue with having a Bella with a Clara and Anna.

But if like me you care about this type of thing to this degree (and I suspect you do, as you're already considering the order you would say the names in), I just wanted to throw another opinion into the mix. I think it'll be hard for people outside the family to remember your girls's names as they're very similar, and people outside the family are just not as invested. I used to work with lots of families, and one family had two little girls that had similar names (think Abby and Issy). I could remember hundreds of children, but with this family just couldn't remember which one was Abby and which one was Issy even though I could think of their faces easily. In a similar vein mums in the schoolyard always mixed up my name with my older sister's and made me feel forgettable! Just as something to keep in mind.

Flippinec · 17/04/2024 13:38

I would avoid all having the same ending, I personally would make each have a different ending so that they feel more like individuals. So Anna, Josie and Florence, for example.

If you're set on A endings then I agree they sound like a collection of cows/trains so I'd look at things like Cora or Thea or Emma

Congrats on the twins 👯

Holstomorrow · 17/04/2024 13:18

I don’t think you should use Anna and Bella.
How about:
Anna, Clara and Mia
Anna, Clara and Sophia
Anna, Clara and Maria
Anna, Clara and Julia

Arrestedmanevolence · 17/04/2024 13:05

Annie and Clarabelle are Thomas the tank engines coaches

Moreteaandchocolate · 17/04/2024 13:04

Do you like Ella instead of Bella? That’s got the lovely classic feel of Anna and Clara?

MerryChristmasToYou · 17/04/2024 12:55

I think that Bella is the odd one out too. I'd think it was short for something, and there's the Annabel/Clarabel association.
I don't like Clara, so I'd give the twins two different names and skip the -a, -a & -a pattern. Something like Anna, Zoe & Lucy.

FlyingPizzaMonkey · 17/04/2024 12:29

Bella is also the number 1 for dogs, it’s also a bit blah, more of a nickname.

Hadn’t realised the A,B,C!

CreateYourOwnUsername · 17/04/2024 12:28

I don't like Clara and Bella together - makes me think of Clarabelle the cow 🐮. I would lose Bella. Clara and Anna are such lovely, classic names. Bella is a bit dated / '00s to my ears.

That said, if these are truly the only names you like, that's that and they are far from awful together or individually

dancingwithpenguins · 17/04/2024 12:24

I think they’re all lovely names and go well together.

Theoldwoman · 17/04/2024 12:21

A, B and C? All beautiful names. I prefer Isobel or Isabella over Bella though.

FlyingPizzaMonkey · 17/04/2024 12:08

Sounds like you’re too much of a fan of Thomas and Friends!

Annie and Clarabel.

user1492757084 · 17/04/2024 11:58

No, the Bella is messy with the other names.
It demeans all three.

Ideas..
Anna, Clara and ..
Gabriella
Belinda
Fenella
Delia
Bridget
Bonnie
Betsy
Tess
Bridie
Lila

MerryChristmasToYou · 17/04/2024 11:31

Give the younger twin the name Bella so that on a list she'll come before Clara.

MiddleAgedDread · 17/04/2024 10:21

I think people will pretty much always say Anna first when referring to them all, it’s just natural when she’s the oldest. I can’t think of anyone who refers to their kids and puts the youngest one first.

Rightontimes · 17/04/2024 09:55

kezzykicks · 17/04/2024 09:44

There are 3 Annabellas and 2 Isabellas in my ds's class so I agree it sounds too much like these. I love Anna and love Clara but think you should go with a name which doesn't end in 'a' for the other name.

I'd rather the twins have the same ending sound, I don't want one kid to be left out, so all get A ending names.

If I say them Bella, Clara and Anna it doesn't run together as much but I'm not sure I mind!

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