Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Bella or Naomi

64 replies

Aimsie · 23/02/2024 10:32

Really struggling to pick a name for baby girl due in April.
We adore Bella, it's our favourite name by far, but have been told it's a dog's name and won't age well. We like Naomi too but worry it will be said Ni-oh-me instead of Nay-oh-me which we prefer.
What's your preference? Any other ideas we may love?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
LauritaEvita · 25/02/2024 11:45

I’ve never heard Naomi mispronounced- where do you live where that’s a concern? Is this related to the local accent or something?

Bella is one of our family names. Not sure what you mean by it won’t age well- as in it won’t suit an adult or it will become unfashionable? It’s a timeless name that my family have used for generations so neither of those things would be a concern of mine.

Which goes best with your surname?

Bookkeepermum · 25/02/2024 11:43

I love Bella

828Pax · 25/02/2024 11:43

I love Bella!

RMNmama · 25/02/2024 11:38

Aimsie · 23/02/2024 10:32

Really struggling to pick a name for baby girl due in April.
We adore Bella, it's our favourite name by far, but have been told it's a dog's name and won't age well. We like Naomi too but worry it will be said Ni-oh-me instead of Nay-oh-me which we prefer.
What's your preference? Any other ideas we may love?

If you love Bella why not a name that has Bella in so it can be shortened to Bella?
Arabella
Isobella
Annabella
That way you can call her Bella but have other options should she want them when she’s older.
For what it’s worth I love the name Bella and think it will age just fine 😊

theduchessofspork · 24/02/2024 17:42

Naomi - great underused name

Bella is fine short for Isabel or whatever but it’s a bit fluffy on its own - it does just mean beautiful.

Stella -/ Estella
Adela
Allegra
Verity
Marianne

Lemonademoney · 24/02/2024 16:50

Any chance of people staying a preference without completely slagging off the other name? I’m reading and wondering if there’s any parents on here who have children with one of these names

serin · 23/02/2024 23:37

Naomi 💚

adriftinadenofvipers · 23/02/2024 21:15

BTW I don't personally like Bella. I think Naomi is much nicer.

adriftinadenofvipers · 23/02/2024 21:15

Riverlee · Today 18:41
Teddy is a dogs name but that hasn’t stopped every other boy being called Teddy recently.

Teddy is a diminutive of Edward, so not a dog's name! And I have a cat called Teddy!

Spendonsend · 23/02/2024 21:14

I prefer Naomi. Its a nice classic name - but the two i know get called 'nay' most of the time. I guess Bella might gets called Bels. So it depends if you prefer nay or bels?

I also know a little noemi

Strawberrycheesecake7 · 23/02/2024 21:05

I prefer Naomi personally but Bella is fine. I prefer it as a nickname for Isabella/Arabella rather than a stand alone name.

ButtonMoonBlanketSky · 23/02/2024 21:04

Naomi ♥️

CharlieBoo · 23/02/2024 21:02

I know so many Bellas, ranging from 14/15 to toddlers. That along with Lily and Isla are literally everywhere.

Naomi is lovely

Sunnnybunny72 · 23/02/2024 20:04

Naomi, classy and strong and far more fresh.
Bella - wet and infantile. In the same vein as Poppy for example. Won't age well.

Muddywoof · 23/02/2024 19:32

Naomi, I've always loved that name.

I really like Bella aswell, but having worked in pet insurance, I feel like every 3rd dog was Luna and every 5th was Bella.

Scottyme · 23/02/2024 19:29

I love naomi, I personally hate Bella/belle names. Three women in my office, in the last 8 months have called their babies isabella

Headstarttohappiness · 23/02/2024 19:12

Naomi has strength and beauty and will suit a little girl, an adult and an elderly woman.

Not sure the same can be said of Bella, unless you’re Italian of course.

Tatonka · 23/02/2024 19:09

Naomi. Bella is so overused for babies and dogs

iwannacoolrider · 23/02/2024 18:44

Naomi ❤️

Lemonademoney · 23/02/2024 18:43

Bella is a beautiful name. Maybe Isabella as her full name x

Riverlee · 23/02/2024 18:41

If you love Bella, use it, but as others have said, choose a longer name.

Teddy is a dogs name but that hasn’t stopped every other boy being called Teddy recently.

BeaLola · 23/02/2024 18:36

Isabella Naomi Surname , Bella for starters and options for her as she ages

KirstenBlest · 23/02/2024 18:34

I wouldn't let worries about pronunciation put you off - you usually only have to correct people once or twice. If only.

DesertSnow · 23/02/2024 18:30

I wouldn't let worries about pronunciation put you off - you usually only have to correct people once or twice.

I think Naomi Belle would be lovely.

pinotgeo · 23/02/2024 18:27

I love the name Naomi. Our lovely next door neighbour is named Naomi, she's maybe mid twenties and absolutely lovely, kindness personified, she's also very intelligent and she is gorgeous! So perhaps a little biased but that's my favourite of the two.
Bella is very sweet too , I don't think you can go wrong really.