Opinions on a family name...

slk7e78 · May 2010

My grandmother's maiden name is Aberle (pronounced long A - burr - lee). What do you think of this as a girl's name? Does it sound cutesy and made up if people don't know it's a family name? We would probably use NN Abby because DH loves that.

anna7602 · May 2010

My instinct would be to pronounce it "A-burl" when first seen. It doesn't necessarily feel made-up, but you might have to correct people's pronunciation/spelling all the time.

slk7e78 · May 2010

Thanks - I thought that too.

sunnyday016 · May 2010

I don't think a girl would want this name, to be honest. It looks like "A-burly"...and who wants to be called burly?

jennicg27 · May 2010

I actually think this is really cute. You will have to correct people from time to time, but I don't think it is awful. And the nn Abby is really cute!

EastCoastBride · May 2010

I really dont' like it. And yes, I would think it's made up if I didn't know, and a poor "made up" name.

PunkyBooster · May 2010

I like it, though I said Ah-berl at first. You can correct people if needed. I like that it is an old family name and like the nn Abby.

lovemytwoboys · May 2010

sunnyday016:
I don't think a girl would want this name, to be honest. It looks like "A-burly"...and who wants to be called burly?

I agree with this. I think it sounds very masculine.

slk7e78 · May 2010

lovemytwoboys:

sunnyday016:
I don't think a girl would want this name, to be honest. It looks like "A-burly"...and who wants to be called burly?

I agree with this. I think it sounds very masculine.

I hadn't thought of this - good point.

serwin08 · May 2010

Of course it is going to sound made up and strange to people that didnt know your Grandmother, but what matters is that you are wanting to use the name to honor her. Like pp's said about the name looking like A-burl -- i would think that too but once you tell them how to pronounce it, it shouldnt be a problem. Also Abby is a darling nn

carlyrenee · May 2010

I like it a lot. It is uncommon without sounding made up. I also have to disagree with it sounding masculine, sorry ladies thats just my opinion. I actually think it sounds quite girly with the long e sound on the end. Hope that helps in your decision making

shopgirl_07 · May 2010

Yikes, I think it sounds very ugly, especially as a girl's name.

MelodyKate · May 2010

this.

but I would add that if you are going to call her Abby (which I love) you may not run into this problem TOO much.

steff13914 · May 2010

I like it. Not sure how you feel about spelling it differntly (lots of people hate that!) but people wouldn't be as confused if you spelled it Aberley.