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

Back to the drawing board - Belle?

20 replies

Gigiandme · 06/08/2019 17:20

What do you think of Belle? Is it too cutesy? DH has decided he wants to name baby after his grandmother who he's very close to and who isn't well, but her name is a very uncommon name from his country which is very difficult to pronounce in English. In fact, it's almost impossible as one sound in the name doesn't exist in the English language, and the tone of names in his country is very different in England (you could never look at the name and correctly guess the pronunciation). So that's an issue. But the meaning of her name is 'bell'. We thought Belle could be a nice compromise (I've always liked the sound of it and he likes it too and can honour his GM. What do you think? What sort of person do you picture when you hear this name? I think Belle from Beauty and the Beast is actually pretty cool when I think about it - smart, big reader, brave - but I can't think of any other Belles! I'm not sure if it is too girly girl? (Nothing wrong with this but I'm not much of a girly girl myself)

OP posts:
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user1474894224 · 06/08/2019 17:25

I love it (I'm not a Disney fan as such) and I've never met or heard of another Belle - apart from B&TB.

Changedname81 · 06/08/2019 17:27

Personally I love it

However there was one a year below me at school ... unfortunately her nickname was belle-end Confused

However, that is no reason for you not to use it ... good luck Grin

user1493494961 · 06/08/2019 17:28

Prefer Annabelle or Isabelle.

Grufallosfriends · 06/08/2019 17:32

It's a French adjective meaning beautiful.

I'm not so keen as a name.

laylabella · 06/08/2019 17:42

I like it but as a nickname or middle name I'm not keen on it as a stand alone name. Isabelle, Arabelle etc

ObvsNC · 06/08/2019 17:46

I know a Belle. She is the complete opposite as in she wouldn't look out of place in a (men's) rugby team.

I personally think the meaning of Belle is too obvious and if she grows up being anything but... 🤷🏻‍♀️

imtheonlyupsieone · 06/08/2019 17:55

I like it OP and the meaning behind it is really nice which is the main thing.

So many kids are called Annabelle or Isabelle that it is tedious - I don't know any called just Belle.

I disagree with the pp who said it's a problem if she grows up "not being beautiful" - beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and beauty is about more than looks any how.

thisisthetime · 06/08/2019 18:02

It’s a beautiful name and not as overused as Isabelle or Annabelle. I know a 3 year old and a 7 year old Belle, they both suit the name. I also like Bella, nn Belle.

manicinsomniac · 06/08/2019 18:42

I like it (actually prefer it to the more common Bella).

I would worry about the child not being pretty though and feeling self conscious about their name.

aibutohavethisusername · 06/08/2019 18:54

I love it.

zvjezdica · 06/08/2019 19:03

I love Belle! I actually commented on a thread earlier asking for top 3 favourite names and Belle was one of my top 3. I really wanted it for my DD but XSIL got there first - I say go for it Grin

Cbeebiesrehab · 06/08/2019 19:05

I like Belle. It’s pretty but not frilly in my opinion. Prefer it to Bella. Plus it has sentiment. Sounds like you’ve found your name :)

Equatoria · 06/08/2019 19:53

I have only ever met one Annabelle, and it's a lovely name. Isabelle is nice but I've met a lot of young Isabelles recently. Belle on its own sound unfinished to me.

Equatoria · 06/08/2019 20:05

Mirabelle, Corabelle, Christobel, Gabrielle, Maribel, Rosabelle, Islabelle

whattodo2019 · 06/08/2019 20:06

It's an abbreviation. I would prefer Isabel or Isobel, Annabel etc with Belle as a nickname.

31RueCambon · 06/08/2019 20:10

Christabel is lovely.the annabels and isabels are about 18 now. Christabel fresher

LikeSilver · 06/08/2019 20:15

We named DD Isabelle with the intention of Belle as a nickname. Since she was born I don’t think anyone’s ever called her Isabelle, she’s a Belle, it suits her.

I am fully expecting the Belle-end at high school but if it wasn’t that it’d be something else 🤷‍♀️

zvjezdica · 06/08/2019 20:18

@Equatoria Mirabelle is gorgeous! OP, if you're looking for a longer name with Belle as a NN this is such a beautiful suggestion!

Fuiseog · 08/08/2019 16:25

I love it too

Fifthtimelucky · 08/08/2019 20:02

It will always remind me of Belle and Sebastian.

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