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It's okay, not of my style, but pretty overall. I prefer the look of Annabelle

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I don't pronounce them differently, but going by the -uh you used, I'm assuming you're American? I'm never heard a British person pronounce this name or any Anna names as Ann-uh. It's more like An-na from where I sit

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From what I understand, its a popular name for a cow, so I've always thought a kid would more likely to get teased for that than some doll horror movie I've never heard of

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Having said that, Belle is a popular name for a dog and Tom and Molly are intrinsically associated with cats, so I don't personally think animal names are a bother

Might get teased a little, or judged by adults you know. I know a little girl named Annabelle, so I don't associate it with the horror movies anymore, though it retains a slightly stilted aura to me.
I pronounce Annabel and Annabelle the same, with emphasis on both the last and final syllable.

I like Annabel. I've never heard of the doll or the movies. My main pop culture association would be Annabel Lee (it's a Poe poem taught in American middle schools), but it's not a strong association.

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I don't pronounce Annabel differently than Annabelle, but I would pronounce Anabel differently.

This message was edited 9/27/2023, 4:59 PM

I used to think Annabel was the incomplete spelling, but I now like it even though Annabelle has always been a favorite, leaving the doll association aside. I also pronounce them like you do.

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I could see there has been a decline on the US chart for Annabelle and its variants (Annabel, Annabella, Anabelle, Anabella; even Annabell and Anabel!) after 2014, the year the Annabelle movie was released, after The Conjuring in 2013.

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There is no doubt the association with the doll caused that, but I think it will go up 10 years later. It's still usable, though, as there are multiple potential nicknames - Anna, Anne, Annie, Bella, Belle, Nell, Nellie...
Of course, if you don't like Annabelle you could always use Annabel or Arabella.

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On another note, I find it funny and interesting that in Czechia the name Anabela charted once, in 2014, with 24 births, most likely because of the movie; whereas the usage in the States has lessened.

I've always rather liked Annabel; not Annabelle though, I avoid false etymologies. I'd never use it, because Anne is a family name (which is my mn and also my daughter's, and was my grandmother's mn also).

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I am not familiar with Annabelle movies or horror dolls, I'm glad to say.

I think it’s very usable and pretty! It’s like how Rosemary is still usable even though Rosemary’s Baby exists, y’know? Especially with the spelling Annabel :D
I think I do the same, Annabelle has more emphasis on ‘belle’ while Annabel has more emphasis on ‘ann’, though I’m certain I do so all the time 🤔

I love the name and while I know it exists, I don't think of the movie when I hear the name

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I just think, oh that's a pretty name that I don't hear nearly enough :)

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this may be the American in me but I have read your last sentence 5 times and I'm still pronouncing them the same lol

Never known about the horror movie association. I like the name, prefer Annabel pronounced ann uh bell

Annabel certainly has fewer horror-doll associations, though I don't think most people would automatically jump to that conclusion. Annabelle seemed a bit overdone with its nine letters, while Annabel lifted that weight a bit, giving it a sense of simplicity and childlike wonder.