Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Annabel, Annabella, Annabelle or Arabella?

69 replies

frazzledoldbag34 · 13/10/2008 15:31

Right, so have discounted Claudia and am keen on these. But which is nicest?
And do you think if I go for Annabella or Arabella she'll just get called 'Bella', which I'm not keen on and is also the name of my neice (Isabella) although she never gets called Isabella, always Bella.
BTW not concerned about the similarity of my baby names with neice's name as she's a step-neice and I've only seen her once in the last 4 yrs!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
nooka · 14/10/2008 23:20

Well they liked Cosmo on the boys list I seem to recall (from the Saints Cosmo and Damian) and Carola was on the girls. Can't remember the rest I am afraid. Oh and I do have a very unusual name - luckily I think it is fab...

Original poster
frazzledoldbag34 · 14/10/2008 23:16

OOh do tell......maybe some more inspiration?

OP posts:
nooka · 14/10/2008 23:11

Oh yes, and my parents had four children and had different lists for all of us. My father is very methodical... I found my list once. It had some very interesting names on it!

Original poster
frazzledoldbag34 · 14/10/2008 23:05

Blimey nooka - I couldn't think of ten names that I like enough to use.
(although I have used up 6 names already on my 2 DD's)
Thought I was doing well coming to a conclusion on Annabel!

OP posts:
SoMuchToBats · 14/10/2008 22:55

Annabel or Arabella

nooka · 14/10/2008 22:53

My parents had five girls names and five boys names picked out for each of us (middle names and all). I consider that they were highly organised!

Original poster
frazzledoldbag34 · 14/10/2008 22:45

nooka - that would be sensible wouldn't it, but I like to be organised

OP posts:
nooka · 14/10/2008 22:38

I like Annabel or Arabella too. Arabella is more melodious, whereas Annabel is more down to earth. Why not wait until the baby is born and then choose?

LynetteScavo · 14/10/2008 22:33

Annabel or Arabella.

I really like the name Anna, so would proably go for Annabel.

Original poster
frazzledoldbag34 · 14/10/2008 22:29

bellawilliams - glad you like your name!!

OP posts:
bellawilliams · 14/10/2008 22:18

Annabel - it is also my name and I'm very pleased with it.

But I am called Bella by most of my best friends, Annie by some old friends, and Belski by random others. Belly also. Annabel is mainly for work and for new friends - can't quite bring myself to introduce myself as Bella as it's a bit circus - although I do like it when my friends call me it. My parents don't though.....

Original poster
frazzledoldbag34 · 14/10/2008 22:16

God, it had better not be a boy.
Poor thing will get teased horribly at school if he's called Annabel.
Am finding out in a couple of weeks - will come back on and let you all know!
(bet you're all dead interested )

Although I'm not telling anyone in RL what sex it is. Let them keep on guesssing! (They all think it's a boy anyway - only because I've got 2 girls and I think they'd like a change).
I think it's a girl. Feel exactly like I did last 2 times and already have ginormous (sp) bump - just like last time!

Waffle, waffle, waffle, goes my pregnancy brain

Thanks all for your opinions, definitely preferring Annabel now.

OP posts:
TheDevilWearsPrimark · 14/10/2008 22:08

Annabel, cos it's my name.

I'm known by all sorts.

Wilkiepedia · 14/10/2008 22:03

Annabel is nice

I love the name Amabel (I believe it's french) although think they may spend their life correcting people...

CoolYourJets · 14/10/2008 22:01

Arabel.

Like Arabel and mortimer - fab books.

Plonker · 14/10/2008 21:59

Annabel

Anna8888 · 14/10/2008 19:51

Annabella

chandellina · 14/10/2008 19:43

Annabelle or Arabella.
too bad you abandoned Claudia - great name.

Original poster
frazzledoldbag34 · 14/10/2008 12:36

Yes, nappy but I couldn't use Anna could I?
Aha!

OP posts:
nappyaddict · 13/10/2008 23:23

you could still use the nickname Bel for Arabella

Original poster
frazzledoldbag34 · 13/10/2008 22:58

I don't mind Bel actually, it's Bella I'm not keen on.
But yes, nappy you're right - I'd probably immediately correct people and tell them to call her Annabel (or Anna for short). Good advice.

OP posts:
nappyaddict · 13/10/2008 22:36

Annabel might get shortened to Bel. But if you don't like that just say her name is Annabel or oh we shorten it to Anna actually.

Original poster
frazzledoldbag34 · 13/10/2008 22:07

I think, on reflection that I am leaning towards Annabel. As you say classic and beautiful and less likely to be shortened to 'Bella'.
It had better not be a boy now!

OP posts:
annasmami · 13/10/2008 21:53

I love Annabel (our dd's name) and Arabella!

Annabel is actually quite popular (luckily none in dd's class but several in our neighbourhood and school), whereas I've only ever met one little Arabella. So if you want a more unique name, go with Arabella.

Both are classic, beautiful names and work well in most languages!

micku5 · 13/10/2008 21:24

I am an Annabelle and nobody shortens it, if they do, I just politiely re-iterate that my name is Annabelle

Swipe left for the next trending thread