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Baby names

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

Annabelle

76 replies

Exposay · 23/06/2026 05:15

Thoughts on Annabelle? Is it too frilly and twee? Is it likely to be shortened to just Anna? I must say that I hate Anna by itself so will avoid if that’s a strong possibility.

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GJMJ · 23/06/2026 05:39

I love it, my eldest is called it, we shorten her name to Belle though, she’s definitely not an Anna.

Inmyuggs · 23/06/2026 05:44

Lovely name
Can be shortend or changed depending on what the child likes as they grow.

Calliopespa · 23/06/2026 08:54

The Annabelles I know tend not to be shortened. Certainly not to Anna.

24Dogcuddler · 23/06/2026 08:56

If you hate Anna I wouldn’t choose it. I do like Anna and Hannah.
Also my first thought was Baby Annabell the doll. Sorry.

Ohpleeeease · 23/06/2026 09:01

I’m more used to Annabel. Never heard it shortened to Anna, it’s more likely to be shortened to Bel or Bella.

Peanutlicious · 23/06/2026 09:03

The Annabelle i know gets called Belle. I think its a beautiful name.

FlipFlopZebra · 23/06/2026 09:03

I love the name! It was on my baby name list but my husband didn’t like it. I wanted to call her Annie but her full name be Annabelle. I think it’s a really lovely name, also options to be called Belle, Anna etc.

I have a name that can’t be shortened and when I was a kid wished I had a name with lots of possible shortenings 😆 so made sure my daughter had a name she can choose a few different names from 😆

HairyToity · 23/06/2026 09:17

I prefer spelling Annabel. I like the name Hannah more than both Annabel and Anna.

LooksLikeIPickedTheWrongWeekToQuitDrinking · 23/06/2026 09:28

I like the name, but prefer it as Annabel, which I think was the more common spelling in the past (in Britain, anyway)

Annabelle looks frilly and self-consciously girly with the “belle” part.

Roomonthe3rdfloor · 23/06/2026 09:32

I think it’s more likely to get shortened to Belle or Bella. Prefer the Annabelle spelling. What about Arabella?

WhatAMarvelousTune · 23/06/2026 09:34

I know a couple of Annabelles (one is Annabel) and neither have their name shortened. Personally I much prefer the Annabelle spelling but that’s probably just because that’s the one I’m more used to so looks right to me.

AbsoluteHoot · 23/06/2026 09:38

I hate it. But that’s just me. I also hate that spelling.

6ate9 · 23/06/2026 09:39

I know an Annabelle, shortened to Annie.

Iamsobloodyfeduprn · 23/06/2026 09:40

My DD's friend is called Annabelle, nobody shortens her name.

She's one of the nicest girls I've ever come across, she's a very kind girl

TooHotMyIcecreamHasMelted · 23/06/2026 09:41

Sorry, I think it’s really twee. But if you love it, use it!

ginasevern · 23/06/2026 11:22

Beautiful name. Could be shortened to Belle.

HugoThatway · 23/06/2026 11:52

Is it too frilly and twee? I think so
Is it likely to be shortened to just Anna? Definitely

Montsti · 23/06/2026 13:25

I have an Annabel (I personally prefer this spelling). It is shortened to Annie.

Calliopespa · 23/06/2026 13:28

Roomonthe3rdfloor · 23/06/2026 09:32

I think it’s more likely to get shortened to Belle or Bella. Prefer the Annabelle spelling. What about Arabella?

I think that's a nice choice and probably prefer it to Annabelle. It's a bit more elegant and grown up.

But I still like Annabel/Annabelle.

PatsFishTank · 23/06/2026 13:33

I think Annabel is a much nicer spelling
Annabelle is fussy.

ToadRage · 23/06/2026 14:17

I like it, it's classic and can be shortened to Anna, Annie, Bella or Belle. My cousin was almost Annabel but they decided to use it as a middle name because they didnt want to risk Annie with their surname.

teraculum29 · 23/06/2026 14:23

sorry, my first thought is Annabelle from horror movie

DramaAlpaca · 23/06/2026 14:57

I much prefer the Annabel spelling, it's lovely.

Annabelle makes me want to put the stress on the Belle part of the name, even though I obviously know it's not.

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 23/06/2026 15:16

I know 2 Annabelles, and they’re both lovely, so i have good associations with the name.

yonem · 23/06/2026 15:37

I think it’s lovely. I know two (not the same spelling) and both go by the full name.