Anastasia or Arabella

[Evangelinedream]

Hello all!

Long time lurker finally getting involved :)

Would love people’s opinions (brutal honesty welcome) on our name choices.

DP and I have finally settled on Anastasia or Arabella - middle name will be Joan (family name). Surname is bog standard English name (think Stevens, Taylor).

Which do you prefer? I’m not so keen on the nickname Anna and he hates Stacey, but Belle would be fine. What else could Anastasia go by? Or should we just accept that she’ll likely go by whatever her friends call her anyway?

Thanks a million!

Hi I have an Arabella...and don't know another one in real life (yet) although have met a couple in passing.
I have received compliments about her name (she mostly goes by Belle - she is a pre-schooler) and when I say her full name people look at me and say oh I didn't realise she had such a lovely name.
I love the shortened version Belle but of course she can revert to Arabella as she gets older. I have read on this forum that some people think it is a bit Disney but I think it is a strong name (Arabella) which has presence and also pretty (but then I am bias).

Arabella Joan goes better than Anastasia Joan.

100% Anastasia

Anastasia! Bf vetoed

Anastasia lovely!

One I know of goes by Sasha

I love Anastasia, such a beautiful name!

Arabella as I love Bella for short.

I know an Arabella she goes by Abri (Ai-bree) she’s about 17

Both are very fluffy, flouncy girly names imo, which Joan definitely isn't. It's an interesting contrast 😁 Joan has a much stronger sound.

I prefer Anastasia imo, even though it does = Russian princess to me.