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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ivy or Annabel?

54 replies

Horsesandatoddler · 28/04/2024 04:43

DD due in a couple of weeks and we can't decide!
Ivy and Annabel seem to be top 2 of our short list which also included Isobel, Poppy and Emily. DH isn't keen on Annabel being shortened to Annie but likes the full name.
Thoughts?!

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urbanbuddha · 02/05/2024 12:36

Congratulations! Annabel’s a lovely name.

octoberfarm · 02/05/2024 12:31

Ivy. Annabel always strikes me as a great name for a little girl but not so strong for a teenager/adult. That being said, it could be shortened to Anna or Annie, which are lovely!

RogueFemale · 02/05/2024 11:32

I'd change my name if I were called Ivy. As pp said, it sounds very dowdy.

KirstenBlest · 02/05/2024 10:23

Congratulations! 👶Flowers
You picked the right name, and thanks for the update. Best wishes to you and Annabel.

sanityisamyth · 02/05/2024 07:26

Ivy is an invasive weed!

FangsForTheMemory · 02/05/2024 04:10

I love Annabel and you can shorten it to Anna or Belle. Ivy feels very dowdy to me.

NetMum2 · 02/05/2024 02:35

Congratulations! I hope you and baby Annabel are both doing really well x

Original poster
Horsesandatoddler · 02/05/2024 02:27

Didn't get as long to decide as I thought I would! DD was born 4 weeks early and we went with Annabel 🥰

OP posts:
NetMum2 · 02/05/2024 02:10

Annabel was on my list of girls names - it’s a pretty name. I do really like the name Ivy too but personally prefer more floral names like Rose/Rosie.

StStephensTower · 29/04/2024 20:41

My Annabelle gets shortened to Annie by her friends sometimes. I like it.

shoopshoopdedoo · 29/04/2024 20:41

Annabel! Also love Emily.

Not keen on Ivy, personally.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 29/04/2024 20:38

I really like both.
would probably choose ivy but there’s not much in it

elevens24 · 29/04/2024 18:54

Ivy. Too many Bella's about which just reminds me of my dog from childhood.

MacNut · 29/04/2024 18:50

I have an Annabel and her name isn't shortened (she's 6) and she's the only one we know. I prefer the less fussy spelling and have only once or twice seen it misspelled to Annabelle.

I think Ivy is lovely too though!

user1492757084 · 29/04/2024 04:41

Annabel is better than Ivy.
Anastasia
Anna
Anneka
Anouk

savethatkitty · 29/04/2024 00:58

What about Annabel Ivy? I'm not a massive fan of ivy as a first name

Marcipex · 29/04/2024 00:16

Annabel is lovely, classic, and won’t date.
I know one called Bels but none called Annie.

Ivy is dismal, too much like the much prettier Evie, and not even a nice plant.

Heatedblanky · 28/04/2024 23:55

I love the name Ivy and I’m not keen on Annabel which just seems unimaginative to me (plus it’s the name of a a baby doll and a horror movie).

OopsieeDaisy · 28/04/2024 22:39

I love Annabel, I’ve only ever met one and her name was never shortened. There seems to be Ivy’s everywhere at the moment and it’s just not a nice sounding name to me. Emily is also lovely.

theduchessofspork · 28/04/2024 18:20

Of that lot I’d go for Emily

Sundaysunshine21 · 28/04/2024 17:18

Annabel is lovely, all the Annabels I’ve known have been Annabel rather than a short form.

Ivy isn’t to my taste, but if you like it go for it, it’s very popular at the moment so lots of people like it! I do think it’s more of the moment than Annabel so worth bearing in mind if that’s something that would bother you.

Solgrass · 28/04/2024 17:18

Prefer Annabel.

Ivy is extremely popular round here

pinkmags · 28/04/2024 17:17

Annabelle/Annabel/Annabell will constantly get mis-spelled! I am speaking from experience here...

soymilknosugar · 28/04/2024 16:33

Ivy much nicer imo

FlyingPizzaMonkey · 28/04/2024 13:05

Annabelle.

Ivy is overused and just gets paired with May/Rose/Grace constantly. Boring.