Why don't people like the name Fenella?

[BottySpottom]

I have heard lots of negative comments over the years and I wonder why people dislike it so much.

I know she was a witch in a book - but that's surely not enough to put someone off a name is it?

I like it,i think it is really pretty.Only person
I can think of is the actress Fenella Fielding,who is slightly bonkers with huge false eyelashes,but that aside it is a lovely name.

I like it!

Because they were 80s kids who used to watch Chorlton and the Wheelies - very funny btw.

Isn't there a Fenella Fudge on Radio2?

Because it sounds like a vegetable?

I like it though. (I like fennel too!)

There is a Scottish name, which I don't know how to spell but is pronounced something like Fenoola which is nice too. What am I thinking of?

reminds me of fenalla fudge too

i don't mind it actually - fora posh bird

Sounds a bit erm...plum in mouth?

What about Fionnula? I think it's pronounced Finoola. Nula for short.

I love the name. I think Fenella Fudge is a great name.

Not as keen on Fionnula as Fenella for some reason. I think it sounds more like a bone in the leg than a vegetable!

it is a bit posh but no worse than many

Fionnula - yes thats it thanks. There was a Fionnula on the radio years ago which is why it has good assocs. for me I think

I think Fenella is lovely.

there was a finola in staying alive (john travolta film) the other day

Too close to fennel .

Otherwise a nice name!

I don't find it posh, just too flowery for my taste. I have a distant cousin called Fenella, whole family finds it

It's the witch from Chorlton and the Wheeleies -a great kids prog from my childhood!

But it's quite nice though and I do much prefer it to Olivia or Jessica which I can't stand.

What would it be shortened too? Ella perhaps, or Fen, Fenny? ( too close to Fanny I think.

People always shorten names, unless it's something like Kate, so be prepared for that.

I thought it would be shortened to Nell (Nellie for a baby/toddler) or Ella.

Its really growing on me actually....Fen or Nell are nice nicknames..but i bet she would get called Vanilla....

yes, Chorlton and the Wheelies probably puts some people off because Fenella the witch in that was a bit bonkers and scary... it is out on DVD BTW for anyone who is a CATW fan! i think it is actually quite a pretty name, but it is those pesky name associations that get in the way!

Fen and Nell are nice. Fenella tries too hard?

i think it's a grown-up persons name, which i think is often over-looked aspect of naming, i mean they're not babies or children for half as long as they are adults.

It sounds like a type of pasta (sorry ).

Never seen the kids prog or heard of Fenella Fudge (is that a cartoon character?) but don't like this name. I've met a couple of Fenellas over the years and to me it's just too comedy posh (like the Araminta/Mintys I've met).

Uh, reminds me of fennel, as in fennel tea, that I was supposed to drink to get more milk. Sorry...