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Baby names

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

Original poster

Arabella

48 replies

lucysnowe · 29/07/2015 13:35

Heard an Arabella yesterday. I rather like it, especially on a cute fat little toddler. But it has kind of a bitchy vibe too (from Malory Towers??) What do you think?

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ems942 · 29/07/2015 13:39

Love itGrin

Maroonie · 29/07/2015 14:01

It makes me think of rubella, which obviously isn't good.
But I'm sure if I met an arabella in real life the person would replace that association and I would like it as I do like similar names!

flanjabelle · 29/07/2015 14:01

Love it

SuperFlyHigh · 29/07/2015 14:03

Posh girl name but could be worse

MrsLeighHalfpenny · 29/07/2015 14:07

Posh totty Hmm

ThomasRichard · 29/07/2015 14:19

I love it but gave my DD a similar name that isn't quite so posh.

scrivette · 29/07/2015 16:05

Lovely name. There was an Arabella in the Naughtiest Girl books.

MamaLazarou · 29/07/2015 17:12

I think it's about to get v popular.

KanyesVest · 29/07/2015 17:23

I know a mum and 5yr old both called Arabella. Mum goes by Ara and daughter by Bella day to day. They are both lovely, and I think it's a great name.

regularrectangle · 29/07/2015 17:27

There's a poem in a Colin McNaughton boo that goes:

Poor little Arabella,
Why did nobody tell her,
Not to use her umbrella,
When the North wind blows.

So the name makes me think of that!

Daphnedolittle · 29/07/2015 17:30

I agree with a previous poster that it is about to get very popular. Isabella has been exhausted as has Annabel and people will turn to this as an alternative 'bella' name. I actually think it's a lovely name.

Sophronia · 29/07/2015 18:54

I'm not keen, it is a bit stereotypically 'posh girl'.

reuset · 29/07/2015 19:44

Second thread in a week about Arabella!

I differ and don't think it 'posh' any longer, too much in the mainstream now, years ago maybe. Rising much higher too I think, though not as high as the Isabellas

reuset · 29/07/2015 19:45

Araminta is the stereotype similar 'posh' name for me, though also a bit of a comedy name and not to be taken seriously

lastqueenofscotland · 29/07/2015 20:16

I think it's vile....

soundsystem · 29/07/2015 20:21

I really like it. Which I'm surprised by, as it's not the sort of name I'd have thought I'd like, if that makes sense!

TillyTolly · 29/07/2015 20:26

It's a lovely name but it's getting to be ridiculously popular... 329 of them in 2013 and I'd expect that to jump again last year/this year for the reasons mentioned above and the Arctic Monkeys' song.

Blahia · 29/07/2015 21:00

My partner likes it, I don't... Not for my daughter anyway ;-)

It's getting quite popular in my part of London, and definitely isn't posh!

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 30/07/2015 11:31

I don't like it. Annabella is nice alternative though

needmorechoctoday · 30/07/2015 13:03

I love Arabella! And I also love Araminta! Not posh really, just pretty.

Oddpet · 30/07/2015 16:00

Don't mind it although agree my first impression is probably a bit 'posh'! There's a 3 year old one at DD's nursery but not come across any others

Dukketeater · 30/07/2015 16:36

I absolutely love it and so does my husband, its our top girls name if we ever have another child.

ImperialBlether · 30/07/2015 16:38

I love it. Love Isabella and Gabrielle too.

Dreya · 30/07/2015 20:34

Love love love!

Slothlorian · 30/07/2015 20:45

Reminds me of a song about a hairy caterpillar. Half remembered