Message: "Amabel" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] Amabel

by Lily (Destry)

6/7/2011, 12:25 PM

I liked this a long time ago, but lately have preferred Annabel. Annabel is getting really common, though and I've started to like Amabel more and more again.

What I like about it:

- it doesn't have the nn Anna (which is a nice name, but common)
- it doesn't have the nn Annie (which I don't really like)
- I could still call her Belle or Bella occasionally
- it's uncommon
- it's a classic
- the meaning is lovely

what I'm worried about:

- it constantly being mistaken for Annabel
- it being misspelled (Amabelle, Amabell, ok same problem with Annabel)
- it being pronounced ah-MAY-bel (like Mabel with an Ah in front of it)

Opinions?
Which is better Amabel or Annabel?

#Amabel

Replies

- yasmine

6/8/2011, 6:09 AM

I prefer Amabel by miles. It's such a tender sounding name, kind of dusky pink, makes me think of roses. It's classic and really underused. Annabel just sounds kind of stiff and awkward, with none of Amabel's warmth (although I do love Anabela - it's the only Annabel variant that looks balanced).
Pronouncing Amabel like amaybel never occured to me - I think people would get used to Amabel quickly since the pronounciation is fairly intuitive. And I imagine spelling would be easier to deal with than Annabel since there are fewer variants.
Amabel and Annabel do look very similar in some people's handwriting though. It's not enough to put me off the name but it could be annoying.

- insane romantic

6/8/2011, 5:50 AM

If Annabel is really popular where you live, I think people getting mixed up would be a bit problem.

- Apolline

6/8/2011, 12:21 AM

I prefer Annabel. I like the "Anna" part much better than the "Ama" part of Amabel. But, I'm just found of the name Anna anyways.

- Anneza

6/8/2011, 12:12 AM

I like Annabel better, and Mabel best of all.

- Orsino (bananarama)

6/7/2011, 4:52 PM

Amabel is better. I see Annabel a lot on the boards.

I think Amabel is a lovely name. It sounds nice and soft and has a lovely meaning.

- Delphi_Blue

6/7/2011, 3:02 PM

I've always liked Amabel better. Just packs a whole lot more punch.

Annabel is nice too, and I do think you'll always be correcting people, but Amabel is just so much spunkier and not so super sweet girly-girl.

- Bear

6/7/2011, 1:28 PM

I've always prefered Annabel because that's what a close friend has called me for years. Plus, Amabel always made me think, "I'm a bell / belle."

But Amabel has been interesting me lately. It's got that retro-chic that I'm always after. And as you say it is not as common as Anna / Annabel. It's almost Emma, but not. I like that. Plus, it always makes me think of "amo, amas, amat, . . . " (I love, you love, he loves, . . . in Latin.)

The similarity to Annabel is just something you'll / she'll have to live with. And the spelling problems. I wouldn't think that pronunciation would be a problem, but you never know. I'd name a dd Niamh or Aoife, so spelling and pronunciation don't stand in my way if I really love a name. I think you / she could get through your woes in tact.

So on balance I have to admit that Amabel is really attractive to me now. Green light from me.

This message was edited 6/7/2011, 1:29 PM

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