Chav names - is Christa one? Will Arabella turn into one in the future?

[Serenity6]

Is Christa a chav name? I think it's really pretty and love the name Christabel. But with so many names now being considered chav, I can't be sure.

I also love Arabella but it seems to be getting popular. As classy and elegant as it is, I'm not confident it's as chav proof as say Cordelia.

[MrsFrederickWentworth]

Not v keen on Christa, prefer Christabel ( also think Coleridge), Christina ( don't like Christine), Christy and Christian, both of which are Scots, and Kirsten, Norwegian.

Love Arabella, Amabel, Belinda.

Was amazed today to hear Tristan called out in. V South London accent, perfectly normal hot family behaviour, but shows how names spread, would have been v unusual in Ds' class ( Jacob, Joel, theo, jack, George, Sam, Ben, ). Ditto Archie some years ago..

So you can't tell what will spread where to whom.

[usualsuspect]

Lol

[johnnycomelurky]

I like Christabel, it's the name of a character is A S Byatt's Possession and of a suffragette (Emmeline Pankhurst's daughter). I'm from N. America and Christa a fairly normal name there.

[catwithflowers]

I don't usage people on their names but I do adore the name Cordelia. Am sadly too old for more babies but maybe my next cat? Cordelia the cat sounds fabulous!

[catwithflowers]

Usage? Auto correct JUDGE

[Serenity6]

Cordelia is a lovely name and a perfect excuse to get another cat ;)

[Serenity6]

I have only heard of two people called Christa when I was living in Australia. Interesting to know that it's popular in the US.

The fixation on Christa, is if I do use Christabel/ Christina/ Christine etc, I am not crazy about the name being shortened to Chris.
Unfortunately, people love nicknames don't they.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

I know a Christa, she's very nice. It's not a chav name, how stupid.

[toobreathless]

Don't like Christa, to me in appears unfinished.

Much prefer: Christina, Clarissa, Kirsten, Caitriona, Christine.

Strongly dislike Arabella, to me it is frilly and gives me images of a spoilt little girl on a pony, but that is probably just me.

Much prefer: Annabel, Mirabel.

[looki]

I understand the OP's dilemma and she is being perfectly frank and honest.

We all want to protect our children from the KH's of this world whether we agree or disagree with KH's very personal, subjective and downright contradictory opinions ("my daughter India is not named after a geographical location" (snort).

But.....imo the issue of doing this is that one can never predict the next BB contestant, the next soap/drama satirical figure, the next reality show 'star', the next celebrity baby etc that causes a previous perfectly good name to plummet. Therefore the options are to merely compromise with one of the tried and trusted names of which there is a limited number but there is safety in numbers or alternatively go with a name you actually like and hope it doesn't become an undesirable name merely guilty by association...........

oh and personally I'm not a fan of either name but if I can to choose, I'd go with Arabella.

[Zynzong]

I understand the OP's dilemma as well. And if's worth pointing out that some of the most critical posts on this thread (eg "fucking awful thread") are from posters who come across as solidly or comfortably middle class in their posting, and so they have no fears that they may inadvertently choose a name that might disadvantage their child in later life, or even, just label that child.

OP, tune out the criticism, you haven't offended anybody's child's name, so it's unfair on you imo. It's better to get it in the neck for one thread than to call your child something that might leave her open to being labelled. One of the names I had on my list would have done just that to my dd. I'm so glad I didn't pick it now!

[Geeklover]

I also know a Crista. She is also German and in her 60's.

[Choccyhobnob]

I don't think either of those are chav names. Not that keen on either myself; Christa a bit unfinished to my ears and Christabel and Arabella are a bit too frilly for my taste but neither is horrible!

And like a previous poster said, anyone having a go at the OP for using the word chav or pretending not to know what it means obviously has never encountered them as it's blatently obvious when someone is a chav.

For the record some of my friends are chavs and proud! I wouldn't wear what they wear or speak like they speak (or give my kids some of the names they like) but they are still lovely people! Chav doesn't automatically make someone scum so stop getting your knickers in a twist and acting like the two are synonymous.

[Zynzong]

I hear Christabel as strong more than frilly. It is a strong woman's name. The milly, tilly, ellie type names became so popular that stronger names will start to sound more appealing now. JMO of course.

Arabella, personally I just hear frill or maybe because I don't like it, chintz! Annabel sounds quite plain to me, sensible, like Elizabeth or Eleanor, and some people hear it as too frilly. Arabella is a step too far with the frill factor imo. I would say the same about Annabella or Isabella but at least those two have natural nns, Izzy or Anna or Annie, with Arabella, I don't
think "arra" would make a nn that rolls off the tongue easily.

What about Lucinda OP? It has loads of lovely nns and might be your style. Lucia, Lucy, Lindy, Cindy? SOmebody suggested Araminta and I would avoid that one. This is just my opinion but Araminta is like Ptolomy. It's so pigeon-holed but at the polar extreme that I would avoid it!

[cavell]

I used to think Arabella was quite a posh name until I heard some woman bawling to her 3-year-old in an Eastenders-style accent a few weeks ago: "Oi! Arabella! Get over 'ere, you little b*gger!".

So I understand entirely where you are coming from.

There seem to be loads of Annabels near where I live, and probably even more Isabels (with all the variant spellings). And then there are lots of Ellas and Bellas too. I haven't come across any Christabels yet. It isn't chavvy, in my opinion. But I suspect it may date - but who's to say that that matters?

[jinglebellmel]

Clarissa, Clementine, Elizabeth, Holly, Annabelle, Mirabel, Beatrice, Cecily, Sophie,
Laura, Josephine, Miriam
I actually prefer the other names on your list ^ I think that some of these are more timeless and also stronger names (totally upto you though). As others have said people are being unfair to you on this post, and are coming accross as the judgemental ones.

[FetaCheeny]

Sounds like there are plenty of closet Katie Hopkins fans on this thread.

Yes, once a name becomes popular it might be possible (god forbid) that someone with less social standing, and a local accent might use it. Does that then make the name "chavvy"?

In that case yes avoid Arabella. In fact, avoid any name in the top 100.

[jinglebellmel]

No Feta, as people have explained several times having less social standing or a local accent doesn't make someone 'chavvy' but some people seem determined to ignore that. Personally I wouldn't judge anybody for the name they pick, doesn't mean that I want to use that name though does it?

[stephrick]

My DD was born 1995 and I named her Aisha, which can be a little common now, however she loves her name, it suits her, we did research the name, it means "most beloved" , we are C of E but the meaning said it all when we first saw her. her name defines her.

[FetaCheeny]

Arabella isn't a chav name nor is Christobel. These are perfectly acceptable and arguably quite beautiful names. The only reason posters are concerned they may become chavvy is because it they rise in popularity they may be used by chavs. It's this over obsession with social class which comes across as snobbery. Is there any need?

The 'concern for child' argument up-thread is garbage in this instance. It's not like she's suggesting a mis-spelled name or name of a luxury brand which may hinder the child in the future.

[Openyourheart]

How on earth could the feminine form of Christ be chav?

[jinglebellmel]

Feta I see your point, I don't think either of these names are chavvy and may at worst become popular, not that this is necessarily a bad thing. However I gather from her posts that the op has spent some time abroad ( correct me if I'm wrong) and so perhaps is trying to make sure she doesn't lumber her child with a name which has negative connotations in the uk(which she maybe unaware of) rather than be snobby. I just think its very ott for people to be calling her a twat for this, when it seems perfectly acceptable to ask if names are too posh on mn. I'm not sure why its deemed ok one way and not the other. I will shut up now though as my post isn't really giving any constructive naming advice which is what the op wanted.

[Zynzong]

that is a good question openyourheart!!!! surprised nobody said that til now. Also, I guess it is the female form of Cristóbal as in Columbas!!

[Serenity6]

Lucinda is a beautiful name.

I only moved to the Uk from Australia, late last year. So I'm still trying to
Figure out your class system etc.

A big thank you to everyone who understood what I meant. :) Your honest comments about the names has been very helpful!