Honest opinion on our girls name....

[May2016baby]

Hi we have a little girl due in May and we have been talking a lot about names recently. We both love the name Arabella which we would team with the middle name Rose (I know Rose is quite common but it's got a lot of meaning to me and I'm keen to stick to that middle name) what are your thoughts on the name Arabella Rose ? We would likely shorten Arabella to Belle (I prefer Belle to Bella) please honest opinions. Thanks : )

I think Arabella is lovely.

I do see what your saying Peggy and I wouldn't shorten it to Belle all the time it's just I'm aware that Arabella is a long name and so know that sometimes it will likely get shortened (I have a name that is shortened about 50 percent of the time!) also my son is only 2 and I know he will struggle to say Arabella so we thought giving the option of a shortened name would be helpful for him too. However we gave my son the name Julian with the intention to shorten it to Jules but he is just such a 'Julian' that we've never actually shortened it and have stuck with Julian (other people often call him Jules though).

Makes me think of a fat, posh, horsy type.

I didn't know it was a trump name actually- googled it as it sounded familiar (I thought it was a fancy clothing label and wanted to check!) - so don't think anyone would know that of the name. Also really love your ds's name Julian and think they go together really well.

Thanks so much omri!

It's lovely!

Arrabella is not to my taste. Hate Belle. My opinion doesn't matter though. It's what you want that matters.

I don't like arabella, it's too frilly and fussy and old fashioned. I also think you won't escape her being called bella. I would call her belle if that's what you want to call her but that won't work with rose

Arabella is becoming very popular and I know 2 babies this year

Also if you look at the British baby name blog where there is a weekly round up of birth announcements Arabella Rose is extremely common. I think people are looking for an alternative to the super popular Isabella and Arabella seems to be it.

It won't be 'unusual' for long.

Thanks for everyone's honest opinions, seems to be a love/hate name. I'm currently loving it so we'll see if I still feel this way in May 🎀

I'm not keen and I can see it becoming the next Isabella / Annabelle

Like it

Makes me think of a fat, posh, horsy type.

This.
Rose is nice though.

Thanks, hopefully she won't become that kind of a person. Another name we had considered was Amelie but know it's becoming really popular. Do people prefer Amelie to Arabella?

Gosh no. Very gimmicky and also rather dated. And there are loads.