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HelpAnnabel or Annabella?
Do you prefer Annabel or Annabella? I love them both but I've had bad personal associations with the name Annabelle (pr. ahnn-nah-BELL) so sometimes I wonder whether Annabel (which I pronounce AHNN-na-bel) is too close. Annabella however doesn't make me think of the person named Annabelle at all. Still sometimes I manage to push the association aside and think that Annabel is lovely. Hmmm.
So which one do you prefer?
How do you pronounce Annabel, Annabelle and Annabella? With an ANN sound at the beginning or with an AH/AHNN sound? Do you put the emphasis on the last syllable when you pronounce Annabelle?
Annabel or Annabelle?
Annabelle or Annabella?
Annabel or Annabella?
What kind of person do you imagine when you hear Annabella, Annabel and Annabelle? Do the different spellings of Annabel conjure up different images?
I'm also worried about Annabelle's popularity. Annabella doesn't seem to catch on at all (it has been falling for the past few years) while Annabelle has been rising steadily and I think it's a top 100 candidate.
Do you know anyone with the names?
Oh and do you think people would try to shorten the names to Anna or Annie? I'm asking because I'm not a fan of either. I do however like Belle and Bella.
So which one do you prefer?
How do you pronounce Annabel, Annabelle and Annabella? With an ANN sound at the beginning or with an AH/AHNN sound? Do you put the emphasis on the last syllable when you pronounce Annabelle?
Annabel or Annabelle?
Annabelle or Annabella?
Annabel or Annabella?
What kind of person do you imagine when you hear Annabella, Annabel and Annabelle? Do the different spellings of Annabel conjure up different images?
I'm also worried about Annabelle's popularity. Annabella doesn't seem to catch on at all (it has been falling for the past few years) while Annabelle has been rising steadily and I think it's a top 100 candidate.
Do you know anyone with the names?
Oh and do you think people would try to shorten the names to Anna or Annie? I'm asking because I'm not a fan of either. I do however like Belle and Bella.
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Replies
Annabel. Less complicated, and closer to the original.
Ann at the start, in all cases. First syllable stressed for Annabel and Annabelle, but stress on both Ann and Bell for Annabella.
Haven't met an Annabel for quite some time; never met either of the other options.
I far prefer Annie to Anna, Bella and especially Belle. Yes, I imagine that Annie would be a likely nn.
Ann at the start, in all cases. First syllable stressed for Annabel and Annabelle, but stress on both Ann and Bell for Annabella.
Haven't met an Annabel for quite some time; never met either of the other options.
I far prefer Annie to Anna, Bella and especially Belle. Yes, I imagine that Annie would be a likely nn.
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Annabel is my favourite, and I'd pronounce it in the English way. I like it a lot.
Annabelle looks French to me so I'd probably automatically give it the French pronunciation, and I'd probably assume Annabella was Italian so I'd say ahn for it too, as I've never met an English one. It's too long and frilly for me in English, but it's not that bad.
I know an English Annabel who's twenty-something, and is called Anna for short, and a French Annabelle who's about 30 and goes by Nana. I think people would probably call her whatever you did, though, and Belle / Bella works fine.
Annabelle looks French to me so I'd probably automatically give it the French pronunciation, and I'd probably assume Annabella was Italian so I'd say ahn for it too, as I've never met an English one. It's too long and frilly for me in English, but it's not that bad.
I know an English Annabel who's twenty-something, and is called Anna for short, and a French Annabelle who's about 30 and goes by Nana. I think people would probably call her whatever you did, though, and Belle / Bella works fine.
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Annabel
I much prefer Annabel, and I really like it. Annabelle and Annabella are too frilly. Although if I'm in a frilly mood, then Annabelle is alright. I don't like the rhythm of Annabella very much either.
I pronounce Annabel and Annabelle as AN-ə-bel, and Annabella is AN-ə-BEL-ə.
Annabel is still a tad frilly, but more grounded than Annabelle or Annabella. I'd imagine an Annabel to be sweet and smart and an Annabelle to be more ditzy. Annabella has a more ethnic sound to it.
I'm very surprised that Annabelle isn't entirely more popular than it is. I think it will continue to rise in the coming years. I don't know anyone with any version of those names.
I don't think anyone will automatically shorten the name, at least to the point that it's an issue. I think this about any name that has an obvious nickname. People will call the kid the way the kid is introduced.
I much prefer Annabel, and I really like it. Annabelle and Annabella are too frilly. Although if I'm in a frilly mood, then Annabelle is alright. I don't like the rhythm of Annabella very much either.
I pronounce Annabel and Annabelle as AN-ə-bel, and Annabella is AN-ə-BEL-ə.
Annabel is still a tad frilly, but more grounded than Annabelle or Annabella. I'd imagine an Annabel to be sweet and smart and an Annabelle to be more ditzy. Annabella has a more ethnic sound to it.
I'm very surprised that Annabelle isn't entirely more popular than it is. I think it will continue to rise in the coming years. I don't know anyone with any version of those names.
I don't think anyone will automatically shorten the name, at least to the point that it's an issue. I think this about any name that has an obvious nickname. People will call the kid the way the kid is introduced.
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I say ANN-ah-bel for both. Anabel is ah-nah-BEL, but that's the only case where I put the accent on the last syllable or have an "ahn" sound at the beginning.
I prefer Annabel to Annabelle and Annabella, but Annabelle to Annabella. Annabelle and Annabella seem prissy and fluffy to me, but Annabel is feminine while still classy.
I prefer Annabel to Annabelle and Annabella, but Annabelle to Annabella. Annabelle and Annabella seem prissy and fluffy to me, but Annabel is feminine while still classy.
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double post, sorry
This message was edited 10/17/2009, 8:43 PM
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I pronounce Annabel and Annabelle the same - ANNA-bell. Annabella is anna-BELL-uh for me.
I prefer Annabel to Annabelle and Annabella. It's one of my top names, actually.
Annabel makes me picture a dark-haired, quiet girl. Annabelle and Annabella are much more frilly and make me think of a Southern belle type of girl.
I've never met anyone named Annabel/Annabelle/Annabella.
I personally would call an Annabel "Anna" if I had one, just because I really love Anna. I don't know that people would do it automatically, though.
I prefer Annabel to Annabelle and Annabella. It's one of my top names, actually.
Annabel makes me picture a dark-haired, quiet girl. Annabelle and Annabella are much more frilly and make me think of a Southern belle type of girl.
I've never met anyone named Annabel/Annabelle/Annabella.
I personally would call an Annabel "Anna" if I had one, just because I really love Anna. I don't know that people would do it automatically, though.
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It depends on the usage.
I'd only use Annabel in the case of Annabel Lee, if I decided to be totally emo or goth with naming.
Annabella I might use as a formality.
But if you can't always put aside Annabelle's associations when thinking of Annabel, use Annabella.
Annabel has a Scottish connotation for me, while Annabella is a beautiful woman of the English upper-class in 1847...like something out of Jane Eyre. I can see Annabella in a huge Victorian gown...not from 1900, from before Prince Albert died...you know, with the huge backs...like a Civil War gown. Annabelle doesn't give me any images at all, however, even though it was always my favored form.
I think people are more likely to shorten it to Belle or Bella than Anna or Annie...Anna is considered a formality, and nobody uses Annie anymore unless they want to conjure up an image of the little orphan girl for someone.
I'd only use Annabel in the case of Annabel Lee, if I decided to be totally emo or goth with naming.
Annabella I might use as a formality.
But if you can't always put aside Annabelle's associations when thinking of Annabel, use Annabella.
Annabel has a Scottish connotation for me, while Annabella is a beautiful woman of the English upper-class in 1847...like something out of Jane Eyre. I can see Annabella in a huge Victorian gown...not from 1900, from before Prince Albert died...you know, with the huge backs...like a Civil War gown. Annabelle doesn't give me any images at all, however, even though it was always my favored form.
I think people are more likely to shorten it to Belle or Bella than Anna or Annie...Anna is considered a formality, and nobody uses Annie anymore unless they want to conjure up an image of the little orphan girl for someone.
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Annabel
Annabelle looks too elaborated and Annabella is too frilly. Annabel is more elegant, although I much prefer Amabel, personally.
I'd pronounce Annabel and Annabelle the same, "AN-uh-bell".
I've met an Anabele, she pronounced it "AN-uh-bell". Although she was from Romania, so she might pronounce it differently there.
Annabelle looks too elaborated and Annabella is too frilly. Annabel is more elegant, although I much prefer Amabel, personally.
I'd pronounce Annabel and Annabelle the same, "AN-uh-bell".
I've met an Anabele, she pronounced it "AN-uh-bell". Although she was from Romania, so she might pronounce it differently there.
This message was edited 10/18/2009, 3:32 PM
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