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Baby names

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

Arabella, Amelie or Ivy

31 replies

May2016baby · 29/12/2015 21:52

Hi, I have another thread discussing the name Arabella which I thought I was pretty much set on (as my dh loves it too) but a few family members have turned their nose up when I have mentioned that we like the name Arabella so over last day or two I've been thinking of various different names for our little girl who is due in May.

Which name do people prefer out of Arabella (which we would likely shorten to Belle on occasion - not all the time), Amelie or Ivy. 🎀

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DreamQueenVicky · 29/12/2015 21:57

Ivy :)

MyNameIsSuz · 29/12/2015 22:03

I think Ivy too. Don't listen to your family about arabella though, if you love it you should go for it!

I'd avoid amelie, there are tonnes of them and plenty of Emilys and Amelias to get mixed up with.

BarbaraTheIncredible · 29/12/2015 22:06

Ivy is lovely.

There are tonnes of Amelies around (though poss older than your DD will be).

Personally not keen on Arabella though if you love it you have learned an important rule the hard way - NEVER SHARE NAMES UNTIL THEY ARE BORN!!!

May2016baby · 29/12/2015 22:06

Yeah I did think Amelie was becoming too popular. Amelie was our girls name choice when we had our son 3 years ago but have gone off it slightly since it's become so popular. Think I'm only going back to since my family have given me their reactions on our current first choice Arabella. Our surname is a very boring, one syllable short name so had thought a longer name would be nice (our son's has 3 syllables) but Ivy is a real contender too : )

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DramaAlpaca · 29/12/2015 22:07

I quite like Arabella, actually. Next choice would be Ivy.

Go with what you and your DH like though, it isn't any of your family's business & they'll soon get used to whatever you decide to name your child.

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 29/12/2015 22:09

If you want a pretty, talented, thoughtful, kind, assertive child, Arabella is lovely.

I'm biased on that one though. 😉

May2016baby · 29/12/2015 22:10

Yeah that's true. Our son is called Julian and everyone hated that when I suggested it but I stuck to my choice and now he just suits his name Julian so much and my family seem to love it now (I guess because they love him!)

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WanderingTrolley1 · 29/12/2015 22:10

Ivy. Definitely.

May2016baby · 29/12/2015 22:11

Hahaha milktwosugars, do you have a daughter called Arabella? I do think it's such a pretty name. Did you ever get negative comments on her name? Do you ever shorten it? X

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DramaAlpaca · 29/12/2015 22:13

Arabella goes beautifully with Julian, IMO.

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 29/12/2015 22:14

Not mine, no, but very close! I've always said if I ever have a daughter I specifically want one like Arabella! Never heard a negative comment at all.

Known as Bells, Bella, or Boo.

Pandora97 · 29/12/2015 22:14

I'd stick with Arabella personally, it's much more elegant. Ivy's okay but it seems to be everyone's favourite name at the moment and I don't really get why. Still very much in crotchety old lady territory for me.

PinkFondantFancy · 29/12/2015 22:16

I love Arabella, not keen on the other 2, too trendy

Mehitabel6 · 29/12/2015 22:17

Arabella is lovely.
Ivy is old lady and 'poison ivy' or 'clinging ivy' - not a nice name!

May2016baby · 29/12/2015 22:18

Hahah poison ivy and clinging Ivy .... I hadn't thought of those two! Good point! 😄

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Mehitabel6 · 29/12/2015 22:20

I'm sorry- they just come straight to mind and I can't think why it has become popular again.

Laurynjade · 29/12/2015 22:21

Arabella definitely! I'm a student midwife and have seen so many babies recently being called Amelie! However, if you like the name, do not let the popularity put you off :) X

Mehitabel6 · 29/12/2015 22:22

You can't even give her options with Ivy and yet Arabella has choices.

May2016baby · 29/12/2015 22:25

Oh I'm glad so many people like Arabella 😄 I won't share the name with anyone else before the birth, that way I can't be disappointed by their reactions!

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TrinityForce · 29/12/2015 22:26

I LOVE ARABELLA.

Don't listen to people who turn their nose up, my family said it's "snotty", fuck them, snotty twats.

Go with the name you love, not what your family likes.

TrinityForce · 29/12/2015 22:27

Sorry I may have projected there a bit.

May2016baby · 29/12/2015 22:29

😂 haha yes I so wish I hadn't told my family. I didn't listen to them when it came to my son Julian's name so I'm not likely to listen this time either 😄

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Mehitabel6 · 29/12/2015 22:34

I think it best to just announce the name after the birth- then it is too late.

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 29/12/2015 23:18

Ivy!!!
Amelie is a no - dated, over popular and sounds crap in an English accent. Ivy is cool.

xmasseason · 29/12/2015 23:35

Ivy - lovely name
Arabella - nice though frilly, and I don't like Bella as nickname
Amelie - faddy, although I like Amelia