Matilda, Amelie, Freya, Arabel

[tdam]

Hi all,

I'm due in just over two months and am endlessly debating between these names. To be entirely honest, Arabel isn't likely an option as my partner doesn't love it but I've included it out of curiosity (and I'm hoping it grows on him).

Which is your favourite and why? Do you know anyone/many people with these names? Feel free to rank them as well.

Some others I love but that have been vetoed by my partner are Olive, Iris, Margot/Margaux, Violet and Juno. I'm desperately hoping he comes around to some/one of these as I feel, particularly with Olive and maybe Margot too, that I'd happily use them tomorrow if I gave birth.

Thanks so much for any help/opinions!

I like Freya best of these. Arabel sounds made up to me, I'm sorry but I really wouldn't use it.

Not Freya it’s dire, sounds like cheese.

@Settlersofcatan That's interesting you say that as I generally hate made up names! It's just a form of Arabella, I suppose like Isabel and Isabella. But it's interesting to hear that perspective as I certainly wouldn't use it if it's a widespread one!

I think those are all beautiful names, but that spelling of Arabel reminds me of mini Babybels! I'd spell it Arabelle so it looks more like a human name rather than a brand name. Margot is my favourite from the list.

Arabel is awful. I also strongly dislike Arabella. It’s a faux cutesy name. I’ve had two friends call girls Freya this year, and I really like it. It’s earthy and pretty.

I love Matilda and Amelie. Freya is ok. Arabel is not a name I have ever heard - and I am not keen on it.

Matilda, Amelie and Freya are all lovely.

Do you like nicknames or full names? Matty/Tilly, Milly - can't think of a nickname for Freya!

I prefer Matilda

I know tons of little girls called Amelie and Freya - very, very popular in my area. Not sure about Arabel - I prefer Arabella. Matilda is probably the best imo. Olive and Margot are fab - hope your partner changes his mind about these!

Love them all. Arabel reminds me of arable farming. Arabella is lovely though.

Freya is what this DC will be called if this ones a girl, but we aren’t worried about popularity, if you are it might be best not to go with this as there’s a lot of little Freya’s about.

I’m not keen on Arabel, but I do like Arabella, if that’s a possibility?.

I’m not a fan of Amelie, but that’s just my preference. There’s nothing wrong with that name at all.

Matilda is lovely, and I like Tilly as a nickname

I have a Matilda (nn. Tilly) so that gets my vote!

There are tonnes of Amelia’s and Freya’s where we live, so I personally wouldn’t go for either.

Arabella is beautiful, was on my list but DH vetoed it.

Arabel makes me think of arable (as in arable land), just not a nice sound. If you want the 'bell' sound, you really need to spell it as Arabelle. (imo)

Anyway, love Freya, Matilda and Amelie.

I prefer Arabella to Arabel. But if the oh wont agree then Freya out of the other choices!

They are all fairly common. I can't say I love any of them but I quite like Matilda.

I like Amelie, Freya and Matilda in that order. I'm not keen on Arabel at all. I don't really like Olive or Juno either. You still have a couple of months to decide so there's plenty of time to decide.

Arabel is too similar to arable. It isn’t a diminutive of Arabelle - it’s a made-up name.

The others are nice enough, though all very popular.

Matilda is my my favourite out of the four but I LOVE Olive too.

I LOVE all the names vetoed by your partner and I feel your pain as they were vetoed by mine too 😒

I feel like Freya is SO boring and faddy compared to your own list! And Matilda and Amelie are lovely but a little common now? Arabel has a more interesting vibe.

What about Leonora, Isadora, Beatrice, Genevieve?

If not, from your list i'd go for Matilda.

Eliza? Flora?

I really like all the names in the title, think Arabel is lovely and my fav, others are also lovely though very popular in my area - especially Matilda

My absolute favourite is Olive though. Such a beautiful, but understated name

Just fyi I know 5 Matilda's age range of newborn - 5

3 Amelie's - 1 5 year old and 2 3 year olds

I only know one 12 year old Freya but I hear the name everywhere when out and about, though more on school aged children than littlies

I like Arabel the best!

The others are all lovely names but I know so many that they’ve become a bit less interesting to me. I’d probably choose Freya though because I think the origins in Norse mythology are really cool.

I like Matilda best.

Arabel farming.