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Baby names

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

Arabella

31 replies

Fifi2406 · 26/10/2012 21:33

What do you think??

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doobiedoobiedoobie · 26/10/2012 21:34

I used to hate it but then my SIL called her DD it and it's grown on me :)

ecuse · 26/10/2012 21:36

Loathe it, sorry. Makes me think of stuck up, affected girls and pushy parents.

CUnexttuseday · 26/10/2012 21:36

this is what my SIL has named her DD, not a fan but she is Italian and it is a family name

Fifi2406 · 26/10/2012 21:37

Oh dear! Ha

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Redballoonfan · 26/10/2012 21:40

Quite a mouthful to say. It is pretty but definitely has 'posh' connotations. Not too keen, sorry. Also reminds me of a doll's name for some reason....

baskingseals · 26/10/2012 21:47

i quite like it. makes me think of a thorough bred filly Grin in a good way

Kenanddreary · 26/10/2012 21:47

I have just suggested this name as a joke on another thread [hblush]...sorry!

But agree with Redballoon - posh and doll-like sounding. Also sounds a little bit 'made up' even though it clearly isn't.

BCBG · 26/10/2012 21:55

I have a beautiful ten year old daughter with that name Sad. Not posh, not doll-like, not stuck-up and definitely not afflicted with pushy parents. She's rebellious (nickname at school is Vampire), tall, very independent and a tad bolshy. She HATES being called Bella by relatives, though. If you love the name, then go ahead, and maybe give her a second, shorter name so that she can make her own mind up later.

crackcrackcrak · 26/10/2012 21:56

Makes me think of Arabella Weir the comedienne

Ham69 · 26/10/2012 21:57

I really like it. Think it stems from me loving the series 'Nanny' with Wendy craig when I was a child and a posh family with Patricia Hodge as the mum who had daughters called Arabella and Emerald. Have an affection for those names since then. I am certainly showing my age!!

Fifi2406 · 26/10/2012 22:00

BCBG...I like the name and your daughter sounds amazing! I think it's pretty! It's for my friends baby she doesn't have mums net yet

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Ohsiena · 26/10/2012 22:00

I really like it. I love bella in a name and Isabella has become very overused (although still lovely) and I think Arabella is a nice alternative.

I do generally like posh type names though (based on MN criteria) so the posh tag wouldn't put me off.

Ohsiena · 26/10/2012 22:02

I like Annabel too, which is a bit posh and has a bel in it. (not sure that is entirely relevant or helpful).

Fifi2406 · 26/10/2012 22:03

I like posh names to! I suggested Cuthbert for her but she is having a girl! Dammit!

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BCBG · 26/10/2012 22:15

Thanks Fifi Smile

squoosh · 26/10/2012 22:18

comedy posh.

Felicitywascold · 26/10/2012 22:23

I have only met 'posh' Arabellas, but that in itself doesn't make it a terrible name, nicknames I've heard include,

'Bel bel' 'bella' and 'Ari'

Of them all I probably prefer the last nickname. It's a nice name, I would support a friend who called her DD that but probably wouldn't use it myself. (My parents would be insufferable! Grin )

HocusPocusPigInACaldron · 26/10/2012 22:25

I love Arabella!

If i have another dd she will be an Arabella, a Beatrice or a Darcey.

FunnysInLaJardin · 26/10/2012 22:28

I really like Arabella nn Belle. Mind you I like posh names in general. I often get called Annabel which is fine and then I say actually it's Abigail

Alisvolatpropiis · 26/10/2012 22:31

It's lovely! And infinitely more unusual than Isabelle.

alas no names with a prominent B sound can be used given OH's surname.

bigbluebump · 27/10/2012 07:18

I never understand why having a name considered 'posh' by some is in any way a problem Confused? If it is a lovely name, you love it and it goes with your surname, then it will be the right choice!

wonderfultykes · 27/10/2012 07:25

That's my DD's tooth fairy's name Wink. Love it

Notafoodbabyanymore · 27/10/2012 07:50

My DD's name is Bella, after naming her I kind of wished I'd thought of Arabella, I love it.

I live in Australia, so "posh" names don't have the same associations as they do in England.

flossy101 · 27/10/2012 07:57

I really like it. And could use belle or bells for short

flossy101 · 27/10/2012 07:58

Bella not bells*