Bella, Isla, Leah or Khloe

[TruffleMama]

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

@Bettyboop82

I know what you mean. As much as I adore the name Isla.. I have to agree.

It's not so bad when saying just "Isla" on it's own, but sometimes when I say it out loud with any potential middle names or with the surname it does sounds like a place name. And I suppose that makes perfect sense really as it's a Scottish name derived from the word "Island" ("Isle of....").

I still think it sounds beautiful though.

Leah by far the nicest of your list.

I definitely think you should go with Bella. I'm not a fan of the name as it's so popular atm - same as Isla (two women in my work's daughters are called that) but I think you'll be sorry if it's the name you've always wanted. Not that I want anymore kids but if I did and I had a girl I'd call her either Charlotte or Zara.

If you've always loved Bella then use it.

The cat could get

• run over tomorrow
• adopt a new owner

@Torvean

She's a house cat and I bet she outlives us all! LOL!

Leah is nice

I like leah but think bella sounds better with Keegan. Wouldnt bother me about the cat in the slightest.

@villainousbroodmare

Not Khloe. Not even Chloe but most definitely not Khloe.

Seconded.

Bella or Leah.
Not Khloe, never ever Khloe. So naff.

Leah is the only one I like

Bella is lovely.

Isla is nice but v. popular.

Leah is ok. I prefer Layla or Leila.

Chloe is nice and was really popular 20 years ago, so out of fashion now but still lovely. (Obvs not with a K, which looks ridiculous).

Leah & Bella (short for Isabel) are my favorites with Isla in second place, and then Chloe (if you choose the "K" spelling, I think of the Kardashians and whilst I don't agree with ridiculing this family, I would stick with the classic spellings).

Not Khloe. It's very obviously Kardashian inspired. There's a trend of youngish mums calling their DDs Gigi, Margot and Dua (Lipa) as well. Unsure what the thought process is.

Leah or Isla from your list. Rose is a really common middle name (I have it) so perhaps use Belle or Isabelle or Isabella as a mn?

I don’t like Bella Rose because Rose is the generic middle name given to every girl at the moment.

@HalfBloodPrincess

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.

DP loves the name Michaela. I can't stand it. Plus my brother is called Michael and it's too similar.

Im not keen on Astrid, Caroline or Rosemary unfortunately.

Bella or Belle.

Bella is a beautiful name. Do not let the bloody cat stop you calling your daughter the name you've always wanted. Promise me.

@kittenpeak

Bella is a beautiful name. Do not let the bloody cat stop you calling your daughter the name you've always wanted. Promise me.

Hi *@kittenpeak*

This thread has made me realise I am worrying too much about the cat and it really isn't that big of a deal.
Thank you all for helping me get over the cat thing! @kittenpeak, I promise, if we decide on Bella, I won't scrap it because of the cat.

Khloe is definitely out. The 'K' was DP's idea. No idea why he suggested it. He has no idea who the Kardashians are LOL! I much prefer Chloe.

I think the current ranking order is:

1. Bella
2. Isla
3. Leah
4. Chloe

My friend is also pregnant and due 4 months after me. This morning I have been thinking about how I would feel if she used one of the names I don't use.

If she used Chloe, it wouldn't bother me.
But if she used any of the other three, I think I'd have a bit of name envy. Trying to work out which would make me the most name-jealous

I don't think she'd use Leah as it's a bit similar to her son's name.
Strangely, I think it would be harder for me to hear her call her DD Isla than it would he to hear her call her Bella. Maybe that's because I know she is unlikely to use the name Bella though. Of Bella, Isla and Leah, she's definitely more likely to use Isla.

No doubt she'll have a boy now LOL!

Hi @TruffleMama naming your child is probably the hardest and most important decision you'll ever have to make. I'm really pleased to hear you won't let the cat get in the way.

As for your friend, you need to let her choose the perfect name for her. I'm a firm believer that you are able to call your baby whatever you want. If you both choose Bella, so be it. If anything, be flattered she's chosen the same name as your baby as it shows your baby is lovely and not annoying 🥰

naming your child is probably the hardest and most important decision you'll ever have to make

I'm assuming this is a joke. Even leaving aside the cat...

@kittenpeak

Hi *@TruffleMama* naming your child is probably the hardest and most important decision you'll ever have to make. I'm really pleased to hear you won't let the cat get in the way.

As for your friend, you need to let her choose the perfect name for her. I'm a firm believer that you are able to call your baby whatever you want. If you both choose Bella, so be it. If anything, be flattered she's chosen the same name as your baby as it shows your baby is lovely and not annoying 🥰

I don't even think it would bother me if my friend used the same name as me. I agree, I'd take it as a compliment.

What I'm trying to work out is.. if, for example, I used Bella and my friend then named her DD Isla.. would I be get "name envy" and regret not using Isla.

Likewise if I went with Leah and my friend then used Bella.. would I then regret not using Bella?

Or if I used Isla and my friend used Leah, would I regret not using Isla.

Trying to work out which one I'd regret not using the most.. that might help me work out which name I like the most

Hmmm... I'm gonna ask DP what he thinks too.

@CerealBeacon

naming your child is probably the hardest and most important decision you'll ever have to make

I'm assuming this is a joke. Even leaving aside the cat...

No it's not a joke - a shame you don't think it's an important decision. Would love to hear what your kids names are.

I like the name Bella. The cat can become known as KittyBella and you can tell the cat you named the baby after her.
When I go and stay at my parents my Mum frequently calls my daughter by the cats name (accidentally) so if your baby has the same name as the cat that's that problem solved

Bella is the nicest but it’s also the most popular dogs name so you’ll hear it shouted a lot in the park!

While it is important, it’s not a decision that really matters in the long-term if you get it wrong? It’s not going to impact the baby one bit, unless you call her turd face. There are much more important decisions to make with children.

Go for Bella, you love it and if you’ve loved it for so long I doubt you’ll regret it