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I used to love it to the point of using it on a story character (wth was I thinking?!? lol), but now I just think it's pretentious and much prefer just Claire.

I think it is very pretty. I have always liked it.

Like other people, I have the cow association, and the *bel strengthens that (cow bells)...but if I imagine myself using it regularly for a real person, I like it.

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It comes across as more elegant to me than Clara (pronunciation KLER-ə where I live), which I've always wanted to like more than I do. And a Claribel could always just go by Clare if she wanted, so it seems a safe choice.

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I think it sounds sweet but also mature, and it's more offbeat than Claire or most *bel names.

This message was edited 1/30/2019, 1:38 AM

Hi !!!

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I've not the cow-connotation as it is linked with the "a" as Clara or Clarabella.

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Claribel with the "i" is shining and lively instead. It makes me think of a sparkling crystal and the literarian link with both Shakespeare and The Faerie Queene is interesting!

I didn't know about the cow connotation, but I prefer Christabel anyway.

I have to agree with queenv. It looks pretty, but when I say it, all I can see is a big black and white cow,with a bell around her neck.

Even more cow-ish than Bess.