[name]Hi[/name] there,
I’ve been watching these boards for a while now but thought we had our name sorted!
We have a week old baby girl and are struggling to commit to a name. Until she was born she was going to be [name]Gretel[/name], but now we’re not so sure.
Here is our short list at the moment:
[name]Gretel[/name]
[name]Adelaide[/name] ([name]Addie[/name])
[name]Annabel[/name] (possibly [name]Annie[/name], but preferably not shortened)
[name]Mabel[/name]
We have a few family middle names to choose from but at the moment just need to agree on a first name!
Please help with any suggestions, preferences from the list above.
[name]Kate[/name]
What do you think of [name]Amabel[/name]? If I recall correctly, it’s the name [name]Annabel[/name] was derived from, and since [name]Annabel[/name] and [name]Mabel[/name] are both on your list I thought perhaps it might appeal to you.
[name]Gretel[/name] is cute, and I want to like it more than I do, but it just seems sort overly cutesy and nicknamey to me. I’m not sure how well it would age. Having said that, I completely understand the charm of it, and even though I do have these reservations about it I would probably enjoy meeting a littel [name]Gretel[/name]. My opinions on this name are hard to explain. I feel like I’m going really back and forth on it.
Out of your current list, I think that I probably like [name]Adelaide[/name] the best.
Suggestions:
[name]Mathilde[/name]/[name]Matilda[/name]
[name]Adeline[/name]
[name]Alice[/name]
[name]Liesel[/name]
[name]Linnet[/name] (pp mentioned. I think it is a great name and along the same vein as [name]Gretel[/name])
I love [name]Adelaide[/name]. My only concern with the nickname [name]Addie[/name] is that people will think she is [name]Addison[/name]. [name]Annabel[/name] is fabulous. You can always call her [name]Annabel[/name] mostly, and [name]Annie[/name] just when you feel like shortening it.
If you want a longer name, you could name her [name]Margaret[/name] and call her [name]Greta[/name] or [name]Gretel[/name].
I’m having the same problems as nono about [name]Gretel[/name]. I think it’s interesting and quirky and can also see the appeal but I’m having a hard time trying to picture it on a grown woman… I do like it though and think it has a fine sound so I’m also back and forth.
From the other choices, I like [name]Annabel[/name]. You don’t have to shorten her name if you don’t want to and when you tell people not too, most people will respect your wished.
Out of your list I like [name]Gretel[/name] the most and I can actually picture this name on a woman more easily than on a baby. I like [name]Greta[/name] just a teeny bit more than [name]Gretel[/name], but that’s just my opinion. I think that [name]Gretel[/name] would stand out and [name]Addie[/name]/[name]Annabell[/name] just don’t have that same quality. [name]Mabel[/name] is not my taste.
If it were [name]Greta[/name] instead of [name]Gretel[/name], or [name]Margaret[/name] nn [name]Gretel[/name], I would say go for it, but [name]Hansel[/name] and [name]Gretel[/name] is making me say no! Out of your list then, I like [name]Adelaide[/name] best.
I think [name]Greta[/name]/[name]Gretel[/name] are lovely! I also like the pp suggestion of [name]Amabel[/name], it’s the name [name]Mabel[/name] is derived from so you could shorten it to [name]Mabel[/name] if you would like
I think [name]Gretel[/name] is really nice and unique (in a good way). I also really like [name]Greta[/name] which was suggested by others. My next favorite is [name]Annabel[/name]. I love the nickname, [name]Annie[/name], but I don’t think you have to use a nickname if you prefer not to. [name]Adelaide[/name] is pretty but I wouldn’t like it possibly being confused with [name]Addison[/name] (which is not my style). [name]Mabel[/name] is cute, but I like your other choices better.
[name]Mabel[/name] is my favourite from your list. I can’t seem to get on board with [name]Gretel[/name] for some reason. I just can’t picture it fitting anyone other than someone very [name]German[/name] or Swedish. I can’t shake the [name]Hansel[/name] and [name]Gretel[/name] association, either.
[name]Mabel[/name] on the other hand is sweet and due for a come back. [name]May[/name] or [name]Maisie[/name] would be a lovely nickname. Another name to come to mind was [name]Amelie[/name]. I think that would be nice as well.
What about naming her [name]Margaret[/name]? - It’s professional for an older woman BUT there’s SO many nickname options! (including [name]Gretel[/name] or [name]Greta[/name], [name]Maggie[/name], [name]Meg[/name], [name]Mia[/name], [name]Maisie[/name], [name]May[/name])
Thanks for the feedback everyone! I can’t believe how much harder it is after they’re born! We’re leanIng towards [name]Annabel[/name] at the moment, with [name]Greta[/name] a close second. My only concern with [name]Annabel[/name] is its popularity and I also don’t like all the belle [name]Bella[/name] nicknames and never imagined I’d use a name like that!
So… If she’s [name]Annabel[/name] we were thinking either
[name]Annabel[/name] [name]Georgie[/name] or
[name]Annabel[/name] [name]Faith[/name]
Thanks again!
[name]Both[/name] family middle names. What do you think?
I love [name]Annabel[/name] [name]Georgie[/name]. It is classic and has a bit of spunk. I think it could be pretty easy to make sure she doesn’t have the nickname [name]Belle[/name] or [name]Bella[/name]. You just have to stand your ground when family might try to call her that. Nicknames start in the family so you shouldn’t have a problem. [name]Do[/name] you like the nickname [name]Annie[/name]?
Adeleide is my favorite on that list. The rest I am not fond of. I really dislike [name]Gretel[/name], and I think it is ugly and old ladyish. I think these names seem to suit your taste:
[name]Olivia[/name]- modern and sweet
[name]Hazel[/name]- not my fave or anything, but it is nicer than [name]Gretel[/name]
[name]Maria[/name]- sweet, and lady like
[name]Anya[/name]- adorable, yet ladylike and will grow
[name]LOVE[/name] [name]Annabel[/name]! I don’t think it really needs a nn, but I think [name]Annie[/name] and [name]Bella[/name]/[name]Belle[/name] are adorable ones. I would probably use [name]Annabel[/name] if [name]Isabelle[/name] wasn’t my favorite girls’ name. [name]Adelaide[/name], nn [name]Addie[/name], is fabulous too. I’ve never been crazy about [name]Adelaide[/name], but I lovelovelove [name]Addie[/name]/[name]Addy[/name]! I think [name]Adele[/name] and [name]Adelia[/name] would be lovely alternatives to [name]Adelaide[/name], if you’re not sold on that.