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 don't know. It reminds me of fannies, and a parody of posh ness. LIke a very snooty upmarket fanny. So maybe that's the vibe you're after!?

Yes - a posh fanny. Well put, Maggie.

I love the name Fenella - as someone said, it's a grown-up's name, which is ultimately much more important than being a 'good' baby's name. And either Fen or Nell is lovely as a nickname.

[adds Fenella to personal shortlist]

I had a friend at school called Fenella. The other kids did sometimes call her Fenella ice cream (!?) , but that had stopped by secondary school! As a child she was known by her family as Fifi.

at "posh fanny"

I just have a prejudice against posh names

Fen is nice though

It's Manx/ Gaelic, and means 'Shell'. Very popular in certain parts still, I think?

In our house fenella is always associated with very minor character from Angelina Ballerina (but dd is ballet obsessed!). Also, she always calls vanilla ice cream fenella ice cream! Love the name btw!

The Fene bit sounds like Phnar

I like it too.

I'm not sure why people don't like it there is one in DD's Diddi Dance class and it is that popular there either.

I can't put my finger on what it is I just don't like it. Maybe it's just too big a name for a child to handle, the child in question is very quiet and the children don't play with her she just stays with her mum.

Retro - did you say that it isn't that popular in the dance class?

Sorry yeah it's isn't that popular there lots of mums were talking about it!. Although we have a shiny in the class which is worse!!!

It was on my mum's list to call me
I'm pleased i wasn't called Fenella TBH
DH even thinks i may have a different personality if i had been called it. It feels a bit flowery, I'm not a flowery kind of gal.

is it just me or does it sounds like 'vanilla' said in a funny accent? and therefore cheap.

I like Fenella & I love Fenella the witch in Chorlton & the Wheelies, although anyone of Welsh decent may well have cause for complaint!

Always wished I had a voice like Fenella Fielding, all sexy sore throat husky. Or Joan Greenwood as Sybilla in Kind Hearts and Coronets - now there's a name...

I think it's a bit horsey, to be honest.