Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

New poll - Arabella, Hermione, Verity

92 replies

Ruthshaw1980 · 22/04/2018 10:05

Morning all

Following on from your excellent suggestions regarding unusual girl names with at least three syllables, we have whittled our preferred girl names to a final three:

Arabella
Hermione
Verity

Those of you who contributed may see that two of these names (Verity, Hermione) had previously been discounted by DH but your lists helped to bring these back into focus and change his mind, so your assistence has had a measurable effect!

Consequently, I kindly ask if people could rank these names in order of preference. I cannot decide which of these is my number one. My concern with Arabella, is that she will just be called Bella latter on, which although a lovely nn is quite common now. Regarding Hermione, is this still too Harry Potter-esk?

All contributions will be greatly received.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
SE13Mummy · 22/04/2018 17:40

Verify
Hermione

Arabella

SE13Mummy · 22/04/2018 17:52

Having just read your original thread, I'd definitely go with Verity as it goes so nicely with your DS's name.

If not, I think Naomi, Miriam, Keziah, Lydia, Talitha, Susanna, Madeleine or Bethany might fit the bill.

pepperpop · 22/04/2018 17:54

I like Verity best, then Arabella. Don't like Hermione (too HP and also just not keen on how it sounds)

Rednailsandnaeknickers · 22/04/2018 18:19

Verity - lovely
Hermione - I love HP and she's such a fab character, but your child may not want to be saddled with such a strong association forever.
Arabella - meh. Bland.

RavenWings · 22/04/2018 18:23

1.Verity by a mile.
2.Arabella - bit fluffy imo and Bella is bland
3.Hermione - Harry Potter.

RoundaboutSnail · 22/04/2018 18:25

Hermione
Arabella
Verity

BossWitch · 22/04/2018 18:27
  1. Hermione. Just fab.
  2. Verity. Unusual and feels like a strong name.
  3. Arabella. Too foofy. Too many soft sounds in one place.
AfterSchoolWorry · 22/04/2018 18:32

Arabella

Hermoine is too much like hormone

Verity is underwhelming.

trueblueari · 22/04/2018 19:13

Arabella
Verity
Hermione

I do think Hermione is still a bit too associated with HP, sorry.

trueblueari · 22/04/2018 19:17

Also if you have another shortening you prefer for Arabella, like Ari or Belle, start using it early enough and others will catch on.
That or tell them off if they call her Bella, I've had to do this with my dad's wife - my DD is Chantilly and she's called her Tilly since day 1. DD doesn't answer to it and stepmum gets pissy so I just tell her "if you want her to answer you, use her name."
She's 4 now and stepmum is finally getting the idea. She's the only one though, for what it's worth. I thought it would get shortened a lot to either Shanti or Tilly but it's never been an issue.

daisypond · 22/04/2018 19:17

I like them all.
Probably Verity first.
Hermione - I think of the classical Greek character first, then the Shakespearean one. But the HP association might put me off.
Arabella - nice, classic, but a little frilly for my taste.

ICantCopeAnymore · 22/04/2018 19:21

Hermione sounds nothing like hormone Confused

Crushedgrapesworkforme · 22/04/2018 19:35

Arabella /Bella (v pretty name if kept in full Bella common now for Isabella which
I also love 💕
Verity
Hermione
Whatever you choose .. choose once you’ve seen your baby.. she will pick her name .. and it will be true .. or it maybe different from those above

BackIntoTheSun · 22/04/2018 19:53

Arabella
Verity
Hermione

ICantCopeAnymore · 22/04/2018 20:07

For all the people who would never choose the NAME Hermione because its from Harry Potter (Oh no!), do you tar the name Harry with the same brush?

Or other literary names? Emma, Rebecca, Lyra, Heidi, Darcy etc? Or is it just Hermione?

RavenWings · 22/04/2018 20:15

I would never choose Hermione partly due to the book (not a huge fan), and also because I just don't like it.
HP is hugely popular with kids and the name was fairly unknown before that. I wouldn't want people to think I named her after a book character I dislike, so I'd avoid it.

HeyDolly · 22/04/2018 20:16

Yep, I don’t tar other literary names with the same brush (apart from Scout & Atticus) - I think it’s because Hermione is so distinctive.

MedicinalGin · 22/04/2018 20:18

Arabella just reminds me of the childhood illness Rubella for some reason, sorry. The ones that I know both get called Ara for short, rather than Bella. I think I like Verity the most actually. I’m sorry if this has been already suggested and discounted but have you thought of Harriet? Best of luck with it all Flowers

BewareOfDragons · 22/04/2018 20:20

Verity

Don't rate the other two.

Olivo · 22/04/2018 20:24

Verity, lovely. Lots of Bellas at school, and Hermione. Ecoming popular here too.

SweetCharityBeginsAtHome · 22/04/2018 20:28

Verity yes definitely
Arabella fine but not to my personal taste
Hermione is a lovely name but eternally stuck with Harry Potter

Original poster
Ruthshaw1980 · 22/04/2018 21:51

Mmmmm well in summary I would say the verdict so far is......mixed!! No clear winner but DH is leaning towards Hermione as his No1. However, the Harry Potter link I do worry about but let’s assume for 1 minute that HP never happened. What do people think of Hermione as a name now?? Also DH wants to add Romilly to list as he is keen on that as well. What are people’s opinion of this name compared to others?

OP posts:
Kate123cl · 22/04/2018 22:04

@Ruthshaw1980 Romilly is lovely! How about Heidi? Without HP I think Hermione is an ok name, reminds me of a whiny girl though

Raines100 · 22/04/2018 22:04

Arabella- beautiful.

I don't like the others, I'm afraid, though I'd pick Romilly before the other two.

trueblueari · 22/04/2018 22:20

Romilly is my favourite so far!

Swipe left for the next trending thread