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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?

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PickledScrump · 23/02/2024 15:56

I know several Naomi’s in their 30s so feels a bit dated to me. All say it as nigh-o-mi.

Bella is ok as a shortened version of something. Prefer Belle.

JanewaysBun · 23/02/2024 12:06

Naomi is beautiful!

KirstenBlest · 23/02/2024 12:05

... it will be said Ni-oh-me instead of Nay-oh-me which we prefer.
I've heard NIGH-o-mi, NAY-o-mi, Nay-O-my, Nigh-O-my, Na-O-mi etc.

I would say Naomi, and more people would pronounce it your way. If they don't you can easily tell them.
You can tell them but you probably won't change how they say it.

Pemba · 23/02/2024 11:50

I would say Naomi, and more people would pronounce it your way. If they don't you can easily tell them.

Bella is quite common place now, and I think that with the meaning of 'beautiful', it might be a lot for a girl to live up to, could cause her embarrassment.

miniaturepixieonacid · 23/02/2024 11:41

I much prefer Naomi.

But you should go with the name you love.

Bella's not a dog's name. It's a popular human name that is also sometimes used for pets. Just like Freddie, Rosie, Charlie, Tommy, Molly, Jasper, Felix and plenty of other names.

KirstenBlest · 23/02/2024 11:19

Bella. Short for Isabella or Arabella, if you like those names.

Naomi gets said in so many different ways it would do my head in, but I like it shortened to Nimmy.

DontGiveADuck · 23/02/2024 11:18

Naomi.

Bella is drippy and more of a nickname and it’s the no.1 dogs name.

FlatWhite2 · 23/02/2024 11:02

Definitely go with the one you love!! People love to say things are dog names but when was the last time you saw a baby and thought ‘oh that’s a dogs name’ literally never. Also tbh Bella is absolutely not a dogs name.. it’s gorgeous!! Also love Belle. Just choose what you want to and F the negative opinions.. nobody will ever pick a name someone doesn’t dislike x

TallulahBetty · 23/02/2024 10:59

Bella. Naomi is blah, and fuckwits people often say it wrong

GoodVibesHere · 23/02/2024 10:58

I like Bella, it's a really pretty name whilst also strong-sounding, i.e. not too twee or frilly.

I don't associate it Bella as a dog's name particularly. Lots of dogs are given 'human' names these days anyway, so I don't think it matters either way.

I'm sure your DD will 'own' her name and nobody will think 'dog'.

Onelife2024 · 23/02/2024 10:54

I like Bella best if short for Annabella / Isabella etc. I personally wouldn’t want to have Bella as my only name option as an adult.

I really like Naomi too.

Firsttimebabymama · 23/02/2024 10:50

I prefer Bella :)

Overtheatlantic · 23/02/2024 10:49

In my family we have had a dog and granddaughter named Bella (short for Isabella). We just consider it a family name! 😆

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 23/02/2024 10:44

Prefer Bella. If you worry about it you could go for something longer with alternative shortenings so she has a choice later - arrabella/ Annabella/ Isabella/Mirabella etc Would probably also work with something ending in Belle.