Arabella, Hariette, India ... how many do you know, and order of preference please?

[fluffyraggies]

These 3 are where we are at the mo.
It's been like pulling teeth to get this far.

So, how many do you know? and which would be your 1, 2 and 3.
Or do you hate the lot?

I don't like any shortenings of Arabella.
I like Harri as a nn for a girl.
You wouldn't really shorten India. (would you?!)

I barely know any, All ok by me.

I know only a Harriet aged 7. Her name isn't shortened but I love Hetty.

Arabella reminds me of a Tree Fu Tom character but she might be Ariella.

India I used to love long before anyone used it. You should be aware there is a really annoying character called India/Indy in Home and Away I think. Now I know The Hopkins woman has one I would never use it.

However,

Harriet - pls don't do Hari though. Hetty or Hattie.
India
Arabella

Don't know any.

I like Harriet spelt correctly.

Don't like the others.

I know a two year old Arabella, a one year old Harriet (called Ettie) and no Indias.
Preference order:
Harriet
Arabella
India

I really like Harriet

India is OK

I really don't like Arabella, sorry

Harriet 15
Arabella and India non-movers at 5 and 1

DH has said he really likes the nn Belle.

Harriet is my top. Lots of NN potential ...Hattie, Harry, hetty, etty, H. I have known only thoroughly lovely Hatties and Hettys (am a teacher)

Arrabella IMHO is a bit try hard for those who like Isabel and annabel but want to be a bit different. Also smacks of wanting to be a bit posh to me. Makes me think of rhyme little arrabella miller had a hairy caterpillar... Also dislike because of Bella meaning beautiful which I think is a bit hard if you are not. Have known two in the last couple of years. But quite a few Bellas. So her nn would prob be quite popular with all the Isabellas around at the mo.

India (nn Indi) is nice but I don't really 'get' it.

I think Harriet is the most classic, timeless, less likely to date badly, of your choices. I do like Harriet India

See - i like Arabella because it 'sounds nice' - the way it rolls off the tongue, i haven't met any, so it's 'neutral' (which is a rare thing, working in a school) and lastly i used to read the Arabella + Mortimer the Raven books when i was a little girl and loved the name then.

But i think it's going to be Harriet! I really can just see me saying it to people. I'd be comfy with it.

Harriet
Arabella
India

U know two Harriet's one 30's one 20. I know a few younger indias no arabellas. I like Hattie nickname for Harriet. Spelling it harriette makes it look like its pn "Harry-Ett" with stress on the ette rather than Harriet

I like India best really but I would go for Harriet because it is classic, timeless and won't date and has lots of great nicknames.
Arabella is on the up and will date. It is just the latest fad in the Bella/Belle trend.
India is really lovely but already a bit dated, more of a 90's name and has hippyish vibes, depends if you are that sort of person really.

The books are Arabel + Mortimer, btw, not Arabella.

I like Harriet. Arabella is more trendy, India is 90s.

Harriet, love Hetty!
Not keen on the other 2.

I like Harriet best, by a mile. I know a few grown up Harriets, all known by their full names, but none under about 21. I don't like the 'Harriette' spelling at all. Hattie, Hetty, Harri all great nicknames.

Arabella would be next - I know one 4 year old and a couple of grown ups - but I am really not that keen, it's far too frilly for me.

India just doesn't do it for me - sounds dated/Sloaney.

I love Harriet and Hetty, fabulous name and NN.

India is pretty and romantic.

Don't like Arabella, sorry; it's a harsh haughty name to me. A nose-in-the-air sort of name.

I have only ever known one Harriet, no Arabellas or Indias
Personally I like the name India, I'd probably shorten it to Indi if my own daughter.

When I was a nanny one of my charges was called Arabella. She was an astonishing little lady, aged 7 about 5 years ago so would be 12 now (wow!). I loved her. We seriously considered calling DD2 Arabella but we have an Aurelia so eventually ruled it out.

I know 1 India, but I really don't like the name.

Harriet is one of DD2's middle names. It could have been her first name but when she came out, I took one look at her and she just 'was' her name, if that makes sense? We would have called her Hattie for short. I knew a Harriet at uni who was lovely, too.

I think putting them in order, would go:
Arabella = Harriet (tie)

India (far below them (sorry))

Ah, reading with interest... DD2 (4 weeks, might finally be India). DP and I have both travelled extensively in India over many years and have a strong connection to the country. I think it's pretty, will sound the same in most languages (important in our household) and it's the name from our list which most of our relatives and friends feel they could not "place" demographically; neither age, ethnicity nor class are necessarily apparent. I only know one India (a very lovely girl) and as a primary teacher that's pretty unusual.