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Baby names

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

Original poster

Short boys’ names starting with a vowel, similar to Abel but rarer

85 replies

CGR12 · 16/03/2026 07:24

I like the name Abel but it’s more common than my other children’s names who have much rarer names.

Does anyone have any other short name suggestions which begin with a vowel?

Thanks!

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NamingNoNames · 16/03/2026 20:25

Onan - it would be unusual! @AlwaysRightISwear

user2848502016 · 16/03/2026 20:23

IAxolotlQuestions · 16/03/2026 20:00

For rare I’d suggest Esau. I won’t pretend I know how to pronounce it though!

Ee-saw I believe, it is a good name!

Also

Uzziah
Elihu
Azriel

Amos
Abner
Atlas

AlwaysRightISwear · 16/03/2026 20:20

Asher
Asa
Eli
Amos
Anselm
Odo
Edwy
Oswy
Oswald
Osbert
Onan (maybe not be id the meaning though)

ladygindiva · 16/03/2026 20:18

NamingNoNames · 16/03/2026 19:58

@ladygindiva , how do you say it?

Ell ee ell is how my kids said it but I'm not sure if that's correct 🤣

NamingNoNames · 16/03/2026 20:11

IAxolotlQuestions · 16/03/2026 20:00

For rare I’d suggest Esau. I won’t pretend I know how to pronounce it though!

ee-saw. He saw Esau sitting on a see-saw.

Original poster
CGR12 · 16/03/2026 20:05

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I like Asa and Oz but my husband vetoed both. I like Ezra but again it’s surged in popularity.

I like Eliel! I have never heard of this and I think my husband may like it! @ladygindiva thank you!

OP posts:
IAxolotlQuestions · 16/03/2026 20:00

For rare I’d suggest Esau. I won’t pretend I know how to pronounce it though!

NamingNoNames · 16/03/2026 19:58

@ladygindiva , how do you say it?

Original poster
CGR12 · 16/03/2026 19:58

I am in the UK. It’s been in the top 200 boys names in the UK for the last five years. Roughly approx 200-350 Abel’s each year for the past five years.

For reference, my eldest’s name was one of 9 other children born with that name in the year she was born and it hasn’t risen in popularity at all. My youngest’s name is so rare it’s not published by the ONS because they don’t publish name data if less than three babies that year were named that name.

Literally EVERYONE comments on how they’ve never heard of my other children's names. That’s how unusual they are.

As much as I love Abel, I don’t think it’s uncommon enough.

OP posts:
ladygindiva · 16/03/2026 19:45

Eliel , my child has a boy named this in their class, I love it.

DawnAnn · 16/03/2026 19:42

Ezra
Otis

timoteigirl · 16/03/2026 19:35

AndresyFiorella · 16/03/2026 19:30

I'm a teacher and I've never met an Abel; are you sure it's that common? It was our name for DD if she'd been a boy. I love it!

I don't think it is common as he was killed by his brother so parents often don't like that association. I've never come across it even if have met other Old Testament names such as Solomon, Malachi and Shadrack.

muddyford · 16/03/2026 19:34

Owen
Iain
Osian

AndresyFiorella · 16/03/2026 19:30

I'm a teacher and I've never met an Abel; are you sure it's that common? It was our name for DD if she'd been a boy. I love it!

muddyford · 16/03/2026 19:28

Adam
Esau
Isaac
Alaric
Asher
Alan
Athol

momtoboys · 16/03/2026 19:25

Eoin

Carlie97 · 16/03/2026 19:23

Ezra
Raul
Noah
Eden
Saul

NamingNoNames · 16/03/2026 19:20

Eben
Ivo, Ivan

georgiaw · 16/03/2026 19:15

Ianto (pronounced Yan-toe)

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 16/03/2026 19:05

Albie
Inigo
Ossian

FawnDrench · 16/03/2026 19:00

Ivan
Ivor
Uri
Earl
Abner
Olaf
Orion
Egon
Amos
Udo
Inigo
Orson

AlloftheTime · 16/03/2026 18:54

Arlo

Seashor · 16/03/2026 18:47

Anselm

NamingNoNames · 16/03/2026 14:31

Esau
Enoch
Abelard
Abiah

TikTokker · 16/03/2026 08:58

Alan

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