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Baby names

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Original poster

Dorabella

79 replies

grishaverse · 08/05/2023 15:37

Was watching a s5 Doctor Who episode and this name popped up.

I actually adore it so much. And we were settled on the name Heidi for my daughter but I'm now having debates. DH loves Dorabella too and doesn't mind which one we go for and says it's all up to me.

The middle name will definitely be Rose - I know it's popular but it has special meaning to us.

We also love the nicknames Dorabella proposes - both Dora and Belle/a are very pretty to us but our daughter would probably be a Dora.

So Dorabella Rose or Heidi Rose??

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KatP75 · 08/05/2023 16:28

Heidi without question for me too OP. Or Theodora instead of Dorabella?

SlicerAndEcho · 08/05/2023 16:38

Dorabella is one of the Enigma Variations, by Elgar. But her real name was Dora.

SG2000 · 08/05/2023 16:38

Lifeinlists · 08/05/2023 16:00

It's one of the characters in Mozart's opera Cosi Fan Tutte and also one of Elgar's Enigma Variations, though the woman in question there was actually Dora.

Maybe just go with Dora or Bella but it's not 'truly awful', just unusual.

Ha Ha you got there before I could. Fiordiligi would be an even crazier choice. Sticking with Mozart for inspiration, the OP could go for Rosina (Marriage of Figaro).

SG2000 · 08/05/2023 16:39

Or Susanna Rose

SlicerAndEcho · 08/05/2023 16:39

SlicerAndEcho · 08/05/2023 16:38

Dorabella is one of the Enigma Variations, by Elgar. But her real name was Dora.

Reading fail. Lifeinlists beat me to it.

Lavenderheys · 08/05/2023 16:39

Please don’t saddle your child with a name like Dorabella.

SG2000 · 08/05/2023 16:41

This naming lark is very tricky - I just realised Rose can be used as a verb, so take care.

GeraltsBathtub · 08/05/2023 16:44

grishaverse · 08/05/2023 15:46

Why is Heidi a silly name? Just want to make sure I'm not missing any bad connotations again

It wasn’t me that said it but I do find it a bit silly as a full name because I speak German - Heidi is a nickname for Adelheid which means nobility, nice enough name. The suffix ‘-heid’ (in modern German ‘-heit’) basically means ‘-ness’ in English. So Heidi is a bit meaningless on its own. That’s a bit nitpicky on my part though as Heidi is used as a stand-alone name in Germany nowadays as well.

Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 08/05/2023 16:49

Heidi rose is perfect especially a sibling to Mabel so perfect together.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 08/05/2023 16:53

Thank god you saw sense, OP.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 08/05/2023 16:56

GeraltsBathtub · 08/05/2023 15:39

Definitely Heidi Rose. Dorabella sounds like a Disney princess invented by chat GPT.

It really does!

lunar1 · 08/05/2023 16:57

Oh thank for you changed your mind!

XBealtaine · 08/05/2023 17:12

I love Heidi

Dorabella is terrible though. Agree wrt Disney feel. Donatello and Dorabella!

NurseCranesRolodex · 08/05/2023 17:19

Or Backadora or maybe Windinwillowa....

Wonnle · 08/05/2023 17:29

How about Adorabell

Wonnle · 08/05/2023 17:30

SlicerAndEcho · 08/05/2023 16:38

Dorabella is one of the Enigma Variations, by Elgar. But her real name was Dora.

Isn't Elgar Ed Reardon's cat ?

IfICouldIStillWouldNot · 08/05/2023 17:37

I'm sorry Op but Dorabella does sound the same as Door Bell.

Dora on its own is lovely! Isadora?

Skybluepinky · 08/05/2023 17:44

Dorabella -the explorer and a dogs name, just terrible

WGACA · 08/05/2023 17:45

Porridgeislife · 08/05/2023 15:41

I hear Dorabella and think “doorbell”. Heidi is lovely!

Same! Please go for Heidi.

PickledScrump · 08/05/2023 17:54

Dorabella is pretty out there. But at least it’s a million times better than Heidi which is just absolutely dreadful.

cordelia16 · 08/05/2023 18:11

AriannasGuitarCase · 08/05/2023 16:12

Dorabella sounds like someone saying doorbell in a fake italian accent

That's exactly what I was thinking :)

Snugglemonkey · 08/05/2023 18:12

minipie · 08/05/2023 15:41

Definitely not Dorabella. It might be cute on a 2 year old but it’s just a bit silly otherwise (IMO).

Dora Rose, Bella Rose, Heidi Rose are all great. You could even do Dora Bella Rose if you wanted. But not Dorabella.

This!

cordelia16 · 08/05/2023 18:13

It looks like you've settled on Heidi, but I really love Dora. Both as a sister to Mabel and with the mn Rose.

Ellmau · 08/05/2023 18:33

It's a bit much.

What about Rosabel/Rosabelle/Rosabella Heidi?

HoleyShit · 08/05/2023 19:17

Thank god youve changed your mind!

Your child will thank you in years to come.

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