Annabel/Annabelle or Isabel/Isabelle

[Butterormarg]

Back again! Like the name Isabel but unsure which spelling I would use. Like the nickname Belle but not so much Izzy. Or now wondering about Annabel which is much, much less used but could still use nn Belle and when she's older Anna if she prefers. What do you think and why do you think Isabel is so much more popular? Hoping this thread doesn't completely put me off both names or I'll be back to square one ... again!

I love Isabelle, but I have one. I like that spelling too, the other spellings never look or sound right. If you’re going to use belle as a nn I think it’s better to have the belle but as part of the name

Annabel or Isabel. -elle ending is too frilly.
Not keen on Izzy but prefer just Anna to Annabel.

Belle just makes me think it should be followed by end, sorry.

I also prefer the simpler Anna or Isabel (the original spelling of the name). They are classic, elegant names - I think adding the extra "le" or "bel" makes the names feel a bit frilly, personally.

I love Isabelle and like both Izzy and Belle. I like Annabelle but not sold on the 'Anna' bit - as a stand alone name I find it quite boring.

My preference in order is:
Annabel
Isobel
Isabel

Annabelle
Isabelle

I’ve got an Annabel, sometimes shortened to Annie. It’s a lovely name

I have an Annabelle and wished I'd spelt it Annabel, much nicer in my opinion now (was 13 years ago now when I was in my early 20's)
We also have an Elizabeth and shorten it to Izzy at home which I knows not common but just giving you another option.
Noones every called her anything other than Elizabeth or Izzy.

I'd say Annabel spelling as it's beautiful

We shorted Annabelle to Anna at home too
Should have added that!
My daughter prefers Anna actually and asks her teachers to call her that

I have an Annabelle and love the fact that in 15 years I've only come across 2 other Annabelles, unlike isobel/lles which there a quite a few of. A lot of people have commented It's a pretty name....I love it as it's so girly! I went filer the belle spelling as bel looks short and unfinished and also because means pretty in French! I did wNt to call her Roxanne but thanks to Sting and the Police, DH was having none of it !!

They are both lovely names, I slightly prefer Isabel but it has been so popular in recent years. There's also Isobel which is nice too.

I would avoid the 'belle' endings, they are a bit OTT, reminding me of those old fashioned dolls with ringlets and frilly lacey dresses.

Annabelle and Isobel

Annabel is lovely - I never understand why it isn't used more. Isabel / Isobel is also nice, but very popular, and I dislike the nn Izzy. Agree with pp that the 'belle' ending is a bit too 'frilly'

Annabel and Isabel - both lovely names. As other posters have also said, I find the extra -le a bit frilly and a bit too girly.

Annabel or Isabelle - I find the -elle ending looks too frilly on Annabelle whereas Isabel/Isobel look unfinished.

Annabel or just Anna

I think the Elle endings are too frilly so prefer Annabel or Isabel. I really love Isabel but I’m not keen on Annabel, I prefer just Anna

I am an Isobel! No one has ever gone to call me Belle before, so I would lean towards Isabelle if you wanted to use Belle but that must makes more sense to me. I think there are alot of Isabelle/Isabellas around right now, it's because it is a lovely name. I think Annabelle is less popular so I think I prefer that, both are nice though

Annabel or either Isabel or Isobel.

Too many unnecessary letters in Annabelle and Isabelle, making them far too fussy & frilly for my taste.

Annabel and Isabel/Isobel are both lovely. I prefer Annabel, and definitely these spellings.

All nice names but Annabel is best. Isabelle is too popular around here.

The English spelling Annabel and Isabel is much nicer and much more classic.

Annabelle and Isabelle are French and pronounced AnnaBELLE and IsaBELLE.

I would avoid the 'belle' endings, they are a bit OTT, reminding me of those old fashioned dolls with ringlets and frilly lacey dresses.

And this

I prefer Annabel or Annabelle — sp all a matter of taste.
To me it has more class than Isabel but then my mother ruined that name for me by saying Is a bell necessary on a bicycle.
Or why not Isabella?

They are both gorgeous names but Isabelle (or other varietys) or are popular in my area where as Annabelle doesn’t seem to be. I also think Isabelle is likely to be Izzy and Annabelle is more likely to be Belle.