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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Bella, Isla, Leah or Khloe

88 replies

TruffleMama · 29/08/2020 13:24

First time mum to be.. still can't decide on a name for our DD who will be arriving in January.

Ever since I was a kid, I have loved the name Bella. I told myself that if I ever have a daughter, that's what I'll name her.
I don't want Isabella or Arabella.. just Bella. My DP likes the name too.

However... DP's mother has two cats.. one is called Bella! The cats are only 4 years old so they will still be around whilst DD is growing up.

I'm trying to not let it bother me, but I'm struggling too. I think it will feel weird being at DPs mothers house and calling both my DD and her cat "Bella"?

At the same time.. I don't want to regret not using name if I end up naming her something else.

Our alternative names are:
Isla
Leah
Khloe

Surname will be Keegan.

We haven't decided on a middle name yet, but I think a one syllable middle name would suit. I like Rose (I think Bella Rose Keegan is beautiful), but DP isn't sure.

Your thoughts please ladies.
Thanks in advance ~ TruffleMama xx

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unmarkedbythat · 29/08/2020 21:08

Chloe. Leah as as my second choice. Isla is nice. I'm not an fan of Bella.

formerbabe · 29/08/2020 20:41

Love Chloe but not Khloe

Isla and Bella are nice but very popular...they'll be loads when they start school.

Leah is lovely...underused but not unusual

HalfBloodPrincess · 29/08/2020 20:08

Leia instead of Leah?

IMO I feel you need a stronger name with the surname Keegan.

Caroline
Astrid
Michaela

But I love pp suggestion of Rosemary the best, as a first name.

4kidmom · 29/08/2020 19:46

It sounds like Bella is your favorite so I think you should use it. Bella Rose Keegan is a great name.Bella Rosalie or Bella Rosemary would also be lovely if you wanted something a little less common. I do love Leah a lot and Isla is pretty too.

NannyR · 29/08/2020 19:45

I love Chloe - it was very popular a few years ago but doesn't seem to be used much now. Leah is a great name too.

SelmaB · 29/08/2020 19:39

I really like Bella. Or Belle if you want something ever so slightly different? I definitely prefer Bella to Isla but, at the end of the day, go with what you love!

RuthW · 29/08/2020 19:34

Rose Bella?

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 29/08/2020 18:27

Sorry, Leah, not Keah.

celestebellman · 29/08/2020 18:24

Bella is nice, cat wouldn’t bother me. Our next door neighbour when I was a child’s daughter named her child the same as their cat (Pippa).
The others are all nice apart from Khloe which is a terrible spelling! Chloe is ok.

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 29/08/2020 18:21

If you like Bella, use it, but Keah would be the one that’s least likely to have multiples.

Suzi888 · 29/08/2020 18:15

Bella or Isla

SummerSummerSummertime · 29/08/2020 18:14

Chloe!

Topseyt · 29/08/2020 18:13

I would go with Bella. You may well regret it if you don't.

Why does the cat having the same name preclude that?

I named my labrador dog Charlie when I got him as an 8 week old puppy despite already having a nephew of the same name. It was never an issue.

Thymeout · 29/08/2020 16:08

I'm not a fan of Leah, because it sounds like Leer, to me. Isla is more common than Chloe and Chloe feels a bit dated.
It's a pity to give up your long time favourite, because of the cat. I love cats but they do seem to be accident prone. I think you'd regret not having used Bella, if something happened to the cat.
You could always think of the double L as a courtesy to her dgms, if it's important, but I doubt if they'd be expecting to be remembered these days.

amyc89 · 29/08/2020 16:01

I actually love Leah, and I think Leah Keegan is lovely (also love the spelling Lia)

moonriver32 · 29/08/2020 15:51

If you love Bella, go with Bella. My personal preference from your name list is Leah - it's simple and not overused. I'd have been thrilled as a child to share a name with a cat Grin

DragonPie · 29/08/2020 14:58

I love Leah, always have! It’s so unusual now.

I like Isla but she would be in a sea of other Isla’s it’s massively popular.

Don’t like Bella at all. It doesn’t seem like a proper name, more nicknamey.

Marlena1 · 29/08/2020 14:54

I love Chloe and Leah. I think I would go with Bella though as you like it best. The cat thing wouldn't stop me.

daisypond · 29/08/2020 14:49

Bella is fine. It does not matter about the cat. My sister’s cat and her DH have the same name. It’s fine.

tywysoges · 29/08/2020 14:46

I’m sure I’ve said it before, DD shares her name with DSIL’s cat. It’s fine, DD loves the cat and the cat loves DD too. When in the same room, it’s X the cat and X the girl. DD is now 11 and the cat is 13/14.

Soubriquet · 29/08/2020 14:44

Just name her Bella

My Nan had two dogs (well actually she had 6) that had the same name as my eldest and my mums youngest (she had a surprise late pregnancy so my brother is actually 6 months older than my oldest)

One of these dogs is dead now and the other is on its last legs and it’s been nearly 8 years.

None of us are ever confused to who we are talking about. If we mean to talk about the dog, we say dogname. Name is just the child

Quercus3 · 29/08/2020 14:34

I think I'd have been thrilled to share a name with my Grandma's cat when I was a child 😂 she'll probably love it!

Dontcarewhatmyusernameis · 29/08/2020 14:21

I’d go for Bella. You’ve always liked the name. I think it’s lovely. Goes well with Keegan too.

AbbieFB · 29/08/2020 14:17

Love Leah

Rhubardandcustard · 29/08/2020 14:15

Love Isla and Bella.