Annabelle

[Exposay]

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.

In your opinion.

It's a lovely name. You can shorten it but honestly I think it's just nice as it is. I prefer the Annabel spelling as to my eye this is more chic and sophisticated even though the -belle spelling is the French version.

Phonetic Welsh would mean it was 'Ann Abel', with Abel pronounced AB-el.
Anabl.
Annabel would be fine because it would be recognisable, in the same way as Elinor or Jonathan are.

Anabel

I much prefer Anna, and I wouldn’t use Annabelle if you don’t like Anna!

Yes, that was my first thought too - having lived in Wales for uni, I'd now be unable to associate that name (especially spelled with just one 'n' and without the extra 'le' on the end) with anything else.

For anyone interested Anabl is pronounced 'Ann-Abble' but people tend to say 'ann-ABB-al.
I wouldn't be particularly surprised to see it written as Anabal.

What about Arabella?

It reminds me of the Baby Annabelle toys!

Annabel is less frilly

Love Annabelle. Lots of nicknames, Annie, Belle Bellie, Bella, Anna etc, prefer Annabelle as it looks more finished.

One of my daughter’s middle names but we used Annabel. I still really like it.

Mine too

It's interesting because this is exactly what I picture too. I can't imagine a brunette or ginger Annabelle for some reason. There must be something to it!

Ah yes of course - anabl. Well her parents and all grandparents are first language Welsh speakers, speak it all the time and not one of them mentioned it reminds them of anabl, so not a problem here.

What I meant by phonetic - and I said I am not sure if that was the correct way of putting it as I knew someone would bring me up on it - was the extra 'le' is not necessary in Welsh as they do not have silent letters, all her siblings have their recognisable English/French/hebrew names spelled as per the Welsh alphabet and pronunciations of letters, for example where I am in Wales Sally is often Sali, Lilly is Lili, it seems to be a bit of a trend or something people do when they like a non-Welsh name but want a vaguely Welsh spelling/look/use of Welsh alphabet.

You really don't like the name do you HugoThatway?!

I've lived in Wales for 18 years, surrounded by Welsh speakers and Welsh language and known this young girl for 11 of those years and never made the association myself! But we all have different associations and experiences.

No because it is an unusual spelling of a name with a perfectly acceptable phonetic spelling already.
The stress in names like Sali, Lili, Ela, Elsi and Nansi is the same as in Sally, Lily, Ella, Elsie and Nancy, but in Anabel the stress is not on the syllable stressed in Welsh.
(If they were trying to pass Ella as a Welsh name, I'd explain why it wouldn't work - 'ella' is a colloquialism for maybe and it doesn't sound like Ella. )

Well her parents and all grandparents are first language Welsh speakers, speak it all the time and not one of them mentioned it reminds them of anabl, so not a problem here.
I don't think any parent or grandparent would say something like 'This is Anabel, one N, like Anabl but with an E', would they?

You really don't like the name do you HugoThatway?!
I don't mind the name Annabel. I prefer Anna. Annabelle is a bit too frilly, Amabel isn't to my taste (I want to say it as A-mayble even though it's 'Ammabel'). I've explained why Anabel as a 'Welsh' name is problematic.

something people do when they like a non-Welsh name but want a vaguely Welsh spelling/look/use of Welsh alphabet.
What would you think of a Dsiónathan, Tsiarli, Boni or Aifi?

I don't understand why you are so defensive about it.

Unfortunately every Annabelle I've ever known as a child or adult has been a brat and a bully, so my experience taints my opinion of what is otherwise a very pretty name!

I'm not being defensive, I don't mean to be, I thought I was just engaging in a debate/discussion about it as my experiences and feelings are different to yours. I found (and I might be wrong) that you were suggesting your opinion and thoughts were the only correct opinion and thoughts (that's how you come across whether you intend to or not and it his how you often come across on the baby name board to me on some threads). I am trying to say different people have different opinions experiences, thoughts and ideas. All of that is ok, but you have come across as very unwilling to accept or realise that.

I also pointed out twice my use of the word 'phonetic' may be wrong and not entirely accurate.

I really like the name however it is spelled and wherever you live and for whatever reason and have never come across any of the issues some people have raised. And I thought it was a slightly amusing anecdote to mention that one relative calls her Anne The Bell.

(Note to self - as I always forget - never mention Welsh on the baby naming board! 😀)

If you say something specific about the language that isn't correct then it is likely to be picked up by the Welsh speakers.

Same if you post about an Irish name, the Gaeilge speakers will complain if you post something incorrect.

Had you posted about the names Araf or Allan (both real names) I'd have said they don't really work in Wales.

I would choose Annabel or Belle

I prefer the Annabel spelling, less frilly.

Of the Annabel / Annabelle's i know, most go by their full name, one is Annie and two Bella. None are shortened to Anna

Had you posted about the names Araf or Allan (both real names) I'd have said they don't really work in Wales.

I had a lovely teacher at school called Alan Ford and, after moving to Wales, many years later, I was reminded of him every time I approached an exit door with his (Cymricised) name on it

I also prefer Annabel. Annie is a lovely name and less common than Belle/Bella