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HelpFenella
I think that most non-name nerds would probably be a bit baffled and put off by Fenella, but I was thinking about it and if it seems, based off of some of the sounds in it, as if it could become trendy. It has sounds in common with names that currently are. But at the same time, I don't see that happening.
it has the -ella of Isabella (1), Ella (13), Gabriella (33), Bella (48), etc. And it's 'fen' sound is so similar to Finn, which has been barrelling up the popularity charts. Finn is currently only 300, but it's been leaping up and I'm sure it will go even higher.
This is sort of a strange, meandering post, and I only haven't quite yet figured out whatever point it is that I'm trying to make, but I basically have two questions:
1. Fenella (nn Fen) - What do you think of it?
2. What do you think makes some names incredibly popular/appealing/trendy and other names with similar or even the same sounds in them undesirable/unappealing? (Not specifically in the case of Fenella, although I know it's kind of silly of me to say that after having influenced you by musing about Fenella for a while.)
I hope that all made sense!
it has the -ella of Isabella (1), Ella (13), Gabriella (33), Bella (48), etc. And it's 'fen' sound is so similar to Finn, which has been barrelling up the popularity charts. Finn is currently only 300, but it's been leaping up and I'm sure it will go even higher.
This is sort of a strange, meandering post, and I only haven't quite yet figured out whatever point it is that I'm trying to make, but I basically have two questions:
1. Fenella (nn Fen) - What do you think of it?
2. What do you think makes some names incredibly popular/appealing/trendy and other names with similar or even the same sounds in them undesirable/unappealing? (Not specifically in the case of Fenella, although I know it's kind of silly of me to say that after having influenced you by musing about Fenella for a while.)
I hope that all made sense!
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Replies
I like Fenella; it seems pleasantly restrained and not too uch of a conversation-stopper - unlike Fionnula, for instance. Between Fenella and Fiona, I'd go for Fenella.
I can't make sense of popularities in that way. I think there's a core of names that have always been used, and they seem to percolate up and down the charts - parents avoid the names of their own parents but are more likely to enjoy their grandparents' names, for instance. And then around that core there are various names that survive for a while and then sink.
It can't only be sounds, otherwise Alan and Stephen would be up there with all the -an and -en boys' names. So it must be generational, in that case anyway.
Gosh - and you were wondering if you made sense! You and me, pal!
I can't make sense of popularities in that way. I think there's a core of names that have always been used, and they seem to percolate up and down the charts - parents avoid the names of their own parents but are more likely to enjoy their grandparents' names, for instance. And then around that core there are various names that survive for a while and then sink.
It can't only be sounds, otherwise Alan and Stephen would be up there with all the -an and -en boys' names. So it must be generational, in that case anyway.
Gosh - and you were wondering if you made sense! You and me, pal!
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I think my problem with Fenella is the "Fen" part, because it reminds me of a bog or something. Also maybe fennel, although that's not necessarily bad. It reminds me of Morella (along the lined of fennel and morell mushrooms... odd plant names with "ella" on the end). I don't think it's super old-fashioned/dated sounding like Prunella, but it's a bit too quirky for a modern kid. I'd like it for a character though.
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I don't like it. It feels flimsy and weak.
As for the second question, it might have to do with familiarity. Isabella is the name of a well-known queen. Bella and Ella are short forms of -bella / -ella names. Gabriella is the female form of Gabriel, which has also experienced recent popularity (and has stayed in the Top 1000 since 1880).
As for the second question, it might have to do with familiarity. Isabella is the name of a well-known queen. Bella and Ella are short forms of -bella / -ella names. Gabriella is the female form of Gabriel, which has also experienced recent popularity (and has stayed in the Top 1000 since 1880).
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I can get into Fionnula, which I think is whimsical, but Fenella reminds me of fennel, of which I am not sure I like the association.
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Fenella has much more in common with Prunella than the other -ellas you mentioned. They're both odd, obscure and particularly English; one contains the name of an unpopular vegetable, and the other the name of an unpopular fruit. I really like both of them, but I can't see them appealing to the general public, even though Fen and Pru are both appealing nns. It just seems that -nella isn't liked much. No idea why, as it's by far my favourite of those types of endings.
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Oh my, I must have been bitten by the love bug because I all of a sudden ADORE Prunella. I know it wasn't your intention but thanks for introducing me to my new crush :)
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Yay, Prunella crush buddies!
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Good comparison
I knew there was something not ella-appealing about Fenella, but couldn't explain it as well as you have. :)
I knew there was something not ella-appealing about Fenella, but couldn't explain it as well as you have. :)
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Thanks! I think the eccentric Englishness of it is definitely a negative seller. The popular -ellas all have a bit of Euro-charm; they're more Latinate.
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Funnel and Vanilla
That's all I hear
For me the difference between similar sounding names that I do and don't like usually comes down to the references and associations I have for each and how that influences the imagery I get from each name
That's all I hear
For me the difference between similar sounding names that I do and don't like usually comes down to the references and associations I have for each and how that influences the imagery I get from each name
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I love it! I prefer Fionnuala, but to me Fenella is a much different feeling name, too. I don't think it will ever become popular. Nobody out there knows it even exists. I agree that the -ella end is trendy, but I don't think the Fen- part would attract people. It isn't frilly enough like your other examples. Also the name itself sounds really close to "vanilla," and I'm not sure people would like that. Fen is kind of a cute nn. It feels sort of quirky, which it much different from the sweet, demure sort of feel that Fenella has. I'd prefer Nell for a nn though.
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