Scottish Parents Find Joy in Unique Christmas Name for Daughter

When Morgana McCabe Allan and her husband, Duncan Allan, welcomed their daughter on December 8, 2018, they quickly realized the names they had chosen no longer fit. After three days of reflection, they discovered the perfect name that encapsulated their love for the festive season: Meribelle.

Morgana, a 44-year-old resident of Dalgetty Bay in Fife, has long held a passion for Christmas. In contrast, Duncan had previously been less enthusiastic about the holiday spirit. This shift in perspective came as they experienced the joy of parenthood anew, marking the birth of their third child after a challenging delivery that left Morgana with significant blood loss.

Feeling blessed after the birth, the couple knew they needed a name that represented their daughter’s arrival. Initially, they had considered names like Philippa and Aurora but found that neither fit their newborn’s spirit. Morgana recalled, “When she was born, she just wasn’t a Philippa or an Aurora.” After a prolonged search, the name Meribelle emerged, a combination of “merry” and “bell,” reflecting both the Christmas season and personal significance.

The name Meribelle carries diverse meanings for the couple. Morgana shared insights about its origins, explaining, “There’s this cute place called Meribelle, but it’s spelt completely differently. There’s a fairy story, a Christmas story that my dad used to tell me at Christmas about a magical fairy.” They were also inspired by their love for sailing and the symbolism of the Christmas star.

Once they settled on the name, they were eager to share it with their family. Morgana’s parents responded with tears of joy, expressing delight at the name that resonated with their family’s heritage. However, the reaction from Duncan’s parents was less enthusiastic, with them initially questioning the seriousness of the choice. Morgana recounted, “Duncan’s mum and dad were like ‘oh my god, what have you done, you can’t be serious?'” Fortunately, this skepticism was short-lived, and family members soon embraced Meribelle.

As Meribelle grew, her name became a source of pride. Morgana highlighted how the seven-year-old enjoys correcting people who mistakenly call her Mary, often responding with, “It’s not Mary, it’s Meribelle.” The playful nickname “Merrie Penguin” also emerged, stemming from the sounds she made as a baby.

Morgana reflects on the joyful impact her daughter has had on their lives. Inspired by Meribelle, she established a business seven months after her daughter’s birth, recognizing the importance of creating a flexible career that allowed her to be present for her children. “I didn’t want to have a baby daughter and have no time to see her,” she explained.

Duncan was also able to shift his focus, leaving his traditional job to become a more active caregiver in Meribelle’s life. Morgana added, “He’s been a major caregiver in her life, instead of, we see daddy at bedtime.”

The couple’s journey has been transformative, with Morgana attributing much of their positive changes to Meribelle’s arrival. “All of it feels like a bit of a Christmas miracle,” she stated. The name Meribelle, imbued with joy and significance, continues to bring happiness to their family, embodying the spirit of the season it celebrates.