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

Original poster

Girls name help please

47 replies

leanne2389 · 04/12/2021 21:01

Hi All I’m really struggling with a name for my baby who’s due really soon!
We originally liked Arabella however I don’t like the name Bella and am certain it will get shortened to this a lot so it’s really putting me off. I’ve considered Arabelle but feel like when you say it you aren’t finished. We then considered Cali but my son insists on saying Cali Ali (he’s 4) and I really don’t like the thought of her getting this as a nickname.
I then thought of Calibelle which I’ve since discovered seems to be completely made up and also sounds made up Confused
Arghhh I’m just so confused right now and not where I want to be at 38+ weeks!
Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated.

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SweetBabyCheeses99 · 04/12/2021 21:02

What’s wrong with made up? All names were made up at some point.

Original poster
leanne2389 · 04/12/2021 21:49

@SweetBabyCheeses99 nothing wrong with made up if it sounds ok but if it sounds like a forced word that doesn’t sound correct, which I’m thinking Calibelle does to me right now then I’m really not sure. But that’s why I’m looking for other peoples views as it may just be because it’s new to me and the more I say it it might grow on me.

OP posts:
IamnotwhouthinkIam · 04/12/2021 22:23

Calibelle does sound like a "smoosh" name to me (Callie plus Belle) or a mispronunciation of Clarabel/Claribel, so I'm not keen personally. Plus I think you risk Bella with any Belle/Bella ending name, unless you use a different nn from day 1 (eg. Izzy for Isabel, Kit/Christy for Christabel, Annie for Annabel etc).

Calista or Calanthe/Calantha instead of Calibelle ? Aurelia, Araminta or Antonia instead of Arabella?

Joban · 04/12/2021 22:37

What about Mirabelle? Not made up but uncommon

Joban · 04/12/2021 22:38

What is your sons name?

SonicBroom · 04/12/2021 22:40

Calibelle does sound made up but could plausibly be a Disney Fairy??

Claribel, Calista, Antonia, Mirabelle, Marielle, Mariella - all gorgeous

Luredbyapomegranate · 04/12/2021 22:43

Well I like Arabella, and I’d say she’s as likely to end up Ari as Bella, but yes if you hate Bella probably best not to risk it. Calibelle sounds like a brand of processed French cheese, or possibly a treatment for vaginal atrophy - don’t go there.

How about.. Callista (which is what Cali is usually short for), Christabel, Ysella (Ee-zella - Cornish), Estella, Fenella, Cassia, Adela, Claudia, Cecily, Cecilia, Luella, Gabriella, Annalisa, Annabeth, Leonora, Circe (Ser-see), Cassandra, Antonia, Clarissa, Clementina, Carina, Alicia

SonicBroom · 04/12/2021 22:46

Annalisa is beautiful, also annabel/le timeless and lovely

hazandduck · 04/12/2021 22:51

@Joban I was going to say Mirabelle. I love it.

OP, do you like the shortening Belle? I don’t know why I don’t like Bella but love Belle!

OnTheHillNotOverIt · 04/12/2021 22:55

Allegra
Mariella

Chunkymenrock · 04/12/2021 22:57

Cassia?

shreddednips · 04/12/2021 23:04

Calliope? I knew a lovely little girl with this name and you could still have 'Cali' as a nickname.

shreddednips · 04/12/2021 23:07

Also think names like Macy and Cara have a similar vibe to Cali.

Elspethelf · 05/12/2021 00:26

I prefer Arabel to Arabella even though Arabel is a bit of a made up variation. I’m not so fond of frills. There are some really great similar alternatives on this thread already! Hopefully something will hit the spot

IVflytrap · 05/12/2021 00:33

Do you like any other shortenings of Arabella. Such as Ari, for example? If so, Iwould start out by introducing her as Arabella, with x nickname as the preference for anyone who is going to shorten it. Basically get in there first before anyone defaults to Bella.

AdaColeman · 05/12/2021 01:33

Christina
Christabel
Clementine
Araminta
Clarissa
All have a similar vibe to names you like.

Original poster
leanne2389 · 05/12/2021 08:54

Thanks I agree on the “Smoosh”

OP posts:
Original poster
leanne2389 · 05/12/2021 08:55

Hi it’s Oakley and I would like something that is similar in the sense of not too common. Not a fan of Mirabelle I have through about it a few times that one

OP posts:
Original poster
leanne2389 · 05/12/2021 08:57

@hazandduck yes Belle I’m actually ok with it’s Bella I’m not a fan of

OP posts:
Original poster
leanne2389 · 05/12/2021 08:58

@Joban Hi it’s Oakley and I would like something that is similar in the sense of not too common. Not a fan of Mirabelle I have through about it a few times that one

OP posts:
Original poster
leanne2389 · 05/12/2021 09:01

@IVflytrap Ari I’m really not ok with. If I go with Arabella it just needs to be kept as that or only shortened to Belle which is my worry as I can’t stop people doing it. My son is Oakley and I was adamant that wouldn’t be shortened to Oak which it never has done other than the odd stranger who I correct.

OP posts:
BabyFeb22 · 05/12/2021 09:06

We've chosen Millie for our little girl when she arrives, hoping she looks like a Millie as it's the only name we both like! I know what you mean about nicknames, I've never minded them but my partner hates shortening names (I'm already saying Mills for our little one and get corrected every time haha)
Oakley and Payton sound nice and will be hard to shorten.

Original poster
leanne2389 · 05/12/2021 10:58

@BabyFeb22 we have Pearl as a middle name so don’t want to P names. Pearl has a lot of sentimental value for us as otherwise we would of gone with Paisley or Payton they were some of our original choices Smile

OP posts:
isacurlypotatoaquaver · 05/12/2021 11:06

Callie-belle/Bella.
As a double barrel name?

miltonj · 05/12/2021 11:09

Just go with Arabella! You can't help nick names and shortenings no matter what the name. For what it's worth the adult Arabella I know, goes by Ari.