Arabella or something else?

[WSLTitanic1912]

We thought we had decided on a girls name. But after using it, it just didn't feel right.

We have arrived back at Arabella.
What do you all think? It has a very princessy feel but not sure if its "too much". Also, just thinking of my son Noah and learning to write his name, Arabella would be so much harder for her to learn to write.

Noah has a popular name and we can always buy things with him name on. I want that for a girl too.

Other names we have short listed are: Caitlin, Chloe, Cora (doesn't fit the popular name thing though), Harper, Amelia/Millie (linked to birth defect slightly off putting), Poppy, Summer.

Or something else?! Suggestions welcome.

Arabella is nice
I wouldn't worry too much about it being tricky to write- plenty of other kids in class will have longer names
Hair Caitlin - sounds like two mediocre names (Kate and Lyn) that have been meshed together in the hope they'll sound nice but they don't
Cora Harper Poppy Summer and Chloe are all really gorgeous

• hate not hair

I don’t like Arabella, it’s too flouncy for me and very different to Noah and your other name choices.

I think I like Chloe and Harper best from your other choices but they are all nice.

@Whatsyourflava I love Harper and Summer. But they seem to be labelled on here as "trendy" "don't age well" and "will date badly". But I guess the same could be said for Noah. Although a biblical name, its rise in popularity is very recent.
Its sooooo hard!

I like Arabella, Poppy and Summer.

Noah and...

Imogen
Lucy
Olivia
Faye
Holly
Anna
Isla
Emily
Cassia
Jessica

@OnABeachSomewhere Thank you for the suggestions. None of them really appeal to me though. I always associated people with names and can't see past that association somehow. Its discounted so many names for me. Sorry.

Arabella is a great name. I would definitely use it over the others you have mentioned. It's reminded me of one of the Naughtiest Girl in the School books - she must have been a character.

I think Arabella is a great name! My favourite out of all yours suggested. I wouldn’t worry about her learning to spell it, everyone can spell their own name eventually and it’s quite a simple spelling, if that makes sense.

Out of your other names Caitlin and Chloe seem a bit 90s to me, but just personal opinion I grew up knowing a lot of them. Harper is very popular and common, in a bay way where I live.

Cora, Summer and Poppy are all lovely names. I would think Poppy is most popular. I’m not sure if Cora and Noah are too similar sounding too, not sure if that would bother you.

Love Arabella

Arabella is always going to make me think of horses. I also dislike Bella as a short version.

Poppy is a complete no, as an adult called Poppy sounds wrong.

"Amelia/Millie (linked to birth defect slightly off putting". I don't get this link???

I like Millie but not Amelia or Cora at all.

Of your list Chloe is the only one I like

How about Camille, Louisa, Eloise, Esther or Cecilia ?

I would definitely not worry about spelling if you go with Arabella.

My children have 9 letter names and could write / spell them by 3 ( and they aren't exceptionally academic! )

My favourite of your names is Chloe, and I think it goes so well with Noah. But if somebody asked me to pick a name that was the antithesis of my personal style, it probably would be Arabella! So I'm probably not your target audience anyway. The important thing is you love it.

I wouldn't worry about the whole "learning to spell their name" thing; I read that a lot and never truly understand it. How many high schoolers do you know who can't spell their name? Sure, a kid with a longer name may spend like, a week or so longer working on it than one with a short name, but they'll get there. Kids are only kids for a hot second, and a name is for life- go with the one you love. Some extra spelling effort in the beginning won't cause any lasting damage!

Arabella is a really popular name around where I live, I know many from the age of 0-7 years. Saying that I do think it’s lovely! It may not be as popular where you live.
I think Harper is lovely too.

Harper reminds me of the Beckhams

Arabella is nice

You might also like:

Isabella
Ophelia
Ottilie
Camille
Paloma
Xanthe
Jessica
Alice
Charlotte
Emilliana
Violet
Poppy
Rose

Poppy or Cora

I really like Summer and Cora. I don't mind Arabella but like those two better.

@SoberCurious I like Jessica but think it will just be shortened to Jess. Jessie as a given name would be nice but maybe too unisex?

In the 90s there was a tacky nightclub in my hometown called Arrabella's.

I'll always associate the name with loose women, sticky carpets and unattractive nen. Sorry OP

I like Chloe best, and Jessica, if you’d consider that. I like both Poppy and Cora, but I don’t think either is great with your surname. Any other three-syllable names? Sienna? Jemima?

@daisypond I dislike longer names that are more likely to be shortened. I prefer using a given name and sticking with that name.

I don’t think Sienna would be shortened. Or even Jemima particularly. One of my DDs has a three syllable name that just doesn’t naturally shorten at all. She’s always called by her full name.

@daisypond My all time favourite was Matilda and now I can't use that. Nothing seems to compare.
Considered Sophia/Sofia but not sure it goes with Noah.
Martha, Elsie and Cora were some other options.
Or back to an old favourite Amelia.
Briefly thought about Poppy but dont think its quite for me. Same with Heidi.
The only other girls name is Calista. As wouldn't mind her being called Cali. But thats so wildly different to Noah.
Girls names are impossible.

Hate Calista
How about Jemima or Madeline instead of Matilda

Love Arabella

What about Alexandra? Or Alexia? Could be shortened to Alex/Lexi.