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Original poster

Arabella or......

31 replies

livingthebeachhutlife · 05/12/2023 20:45

What are your thoughts on Arabella?
Is it likely to be shortened? I prefer names that generally less likely to be shortened.
Would you name a girl this?

Still super unsure and lost re girls names.
Evelina really intruiged me on another post, so have been mulling that over.

Also really liking Lily Rose and Summer Rose but concerned they are a bit "sweet"?

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Doublebiscuit77 · 05/12/2023 21:04

I find Arabella a bit horsey. I guess it could be shortened to Ari? Or Bella?

I've lurked on MN long enough to hazard a guess that neither Lily Rose or Summer Rose will be terribly popular (Rose overused as a middle name, both names overdone in general etc) - but i really like both of them. There aren't really that many, as even popular names aren't as popular as, say, Catherine and Claire in the 80s. There's more variety. Lovely sounding names. They will end up Lily or Summer probably.

I liked Evelina on the other post too.

Aquamarine1029 · 05/12/2023 21:08

Arabella is too Disney Princess in my opinion. I don't care for names that have 'bella' in them. I love Farrah, and it has the same ending sound as Arabella and is unlikely to be shortened.

AnonymousArmadillo · 05/12/2023 21:10

I would say Arabella is incredibly likely to be shortened. People will shorten anything though. SIL tried to shorten DD2’s name - Aoife to Aoifs (Eefa to eefs) - and I was less than thrilled. My face must have said it all because she’s not tried it again.

Arabella is a bit faffy for me but it’s not my style of name.

ChanelNo19EDT · 05/12/2023 21:14

Not keen. I prefer the other bel names Isobel, Cristabel, Annabel, all good names.
But Arabella is hard to shorten. Arra is not a natural short form.

It seems like there should be a letter before it. What do you thi k of Maribel? Also prettier than Arabella.

jersydress · 05/12/2023 21:18

I like Arabella, also Ariella, also Gabriella... But, yes, likely will be shortened.

How about Aurelia?

ButterCupPie · 05/12/2023 21:28

For DH, me, my son and my daughter, Arabella is our default 'snooty girl's name' that we use when laughing about hoity-toity folk and their kids. That or Araminta. Little Arabella's tripped over a servant again!

ChanelNo19EDT · 05/12/2023 21:31

Ha ha same Ptolemy and Araminta, time for your trumpet lesson.

I remember wondering what class of madness possessed the parents of children with these names.

JamSandle · 05/12/2023 21:32

I like the names.

In a similar vein:

Evangeline
Meadow
Autumn

NuffSaidSam · 05/12/2023 21:34

It's a bit fussy for me.

Also, very likely to be shortened to Bella (or Ari) so.i would use it if you don't want it shortened.

Theoldwoman · 05/12/2023 21:35

I prefer Ella by a long way.
Whatabout Annabel?

marleymoo12 · 05/12/2023 21:38

I have an Arabella and we shorten it to Bella but I love the name Arabella!

BoredofBlonde · 05/12/2023 21:52

gorgeous name, Bella is cute too

Mumofgirls2017 · 05/12/2023 22:17

I like arabella and evelina

aurelia
aria
aurora
ariana
ariadne
evangeline
evelyn
beatrice
luna
felicity
emmeline
sophiq

ButterCupPie · 05/12/2023 22:51

JamSandle · 05/12/2023 21:32

I like the names.

In a similar vein:

Evangeline
Meadow
Autumn

Meadow Soprano... who remembers her?

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 05/12/2023 23:19

I like it but think I prefer Arabelle.

user1492757084 · 06/12/2023 02:31

Arabella is nicest as a full name, I agree.
Arabella Rose
Other ideas ..
Gabriella Rose
Jacqueline Rose
Susanna Lily
Summer Arrietta
Lisa Annabel
Astrid Lily
Estella Rosemary

theduchessofspork · 06/12/2023 07:44

I like Arabella but it probably will get shortened, as would Evelina

Lily is overdone and wet IMO, and Summer a bit naff

you probably don’t want more than three syllables to try and avoid shortening, maybe..

Saskia
Estella
Selina
Adela
Allegra
Fernanda

Jasmine, Violet and Iris are flower names with a bit more omph

KirstenBlest · 06/12/2023 08:19

It's a bit 'posh' and a bit Disney princess downmarket at the same time.
It usually gets shortened to Bella or Ella.

Evelina will be another Evie. It makes me think of the hospital, and sounds like 'ever leaner'.

Lily Rose and Summer Rose - I think there's an unspoken rule that every Lily has to be a Lily Rose, and it's a bit too 'unrelated flowers' as a name.
Summer Rose sounds a bit like a name of a teaset design.

KirstenBlest · 06/12/2023 08:21

Susanna Lily - well at least it's not two random flowers, just 'Lily Lily'

cornflakesandtea · 06/12/2023 08:37

DD (13) has a friend called Arabella and I don't think they ever shorten it, not to me at least. I quite like it, but maybe I'm biased because she's a lovely kid!

Chipsandbeansandcheese · 06/12/2023 11:47

Lily Rose and Summer Rose have been done to death. Every girl has Rose as a middle name.

peaceinourtime · 08/12/2023 03:50

Arabella is fine, she will probably become a Bella.

momonpurpose · 08/12/2023 04:15

I love Arabella. I have one. But it's true everyone will call them Bella. Drives me crazy especially when I do it myself

CrikeyMajikey · 08/12/2023 05:05

I like it, it was on my shortlist along with Emmeline and Camilla.

PainterInPeril · 08/12/2023 06:16

@livingthebeachhutlife What about Frederica? Any good?