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

What about Ella and you could use Bella as a nm? X

Bella is beautiful and I don't think it being the name of a cat that isn't yours matters. Khloe with a K reminds me of Khloe Kardashian but I do like Chloe. Isla and Leah are both nice. My favourite would have to be Bella. If I'm being honest, almost every baby girl I know has the middle name Rose so I'm starting to really dislike it.

Would your mum be open to the idea of slightly changing the cat's name, if it makes you uncomfortable? I like the PP's suggestion of "Kittybella" :D If my daughter really wanted to use a name for her baby, I'd be fine with tweaking my cat's name a bit. It's not like cats really know or respond to their names anyway. I call mine by making a little mouse-squeak between my lips, and he's usually known by a bunch of random NNs anyway (Kitty Cat, Catface, Mister Monkey etc.)

Bella is lovely, you should just go with that. Chloe and Leah ok. Sorry but around here Isla is the name I hear followed by swear words by shouty mums when out and about so I find it less nice and it's a different style to the others you've mentioned.

If you’ve always loved Bella then use it, it sounds like you’ve got your heart set on the name. Isla is also lovely. Khloe spelt like that is a definite no (in my opinion) and I’m bit keen on Leah but I see its to honour your parents - could you use it as a second middle some house?
Bella Rose Leah Keegan?

If you go for Bella, when you call after her in the park expect a thousand dogs to come running.

Leah is lovely.

Use Bella. It's lovely and you'll regret it if you don't. It's only a cat not a cousin or something that you may have to think twice.

Bella is nice, don't worry about the cat. I don't like the others. You do know that every other girl has Rose as a middle name? Booooooring!

I really like Leah. It's a beautiful underused classic.

Chloe is lovely - Khloe with a K makes me think specifically of a Kardashian, so unless you're ok with that I'd take that one out of the running!

I love Isla - it's on my list. But popularity does put me off a bit... and we have a Scottish "Mc...." surname, so I feel as well as sounding like a place name it could also easily be read straight from the label on a whisky bottle 😂🙈

If you love Bella go with it, it's a fab name and the cat won't be around forever - though I can see why that's putting you off too. Will she spend a lot of time at granny's? That's probably the only place or person where you might get a raised eyebrow, so it doesn't really matter - it's not like it'll affect her life hugely or kids at school will tease her for being named after a cat, it won't exactly be common knowledge.

Fwiw I do love Leah, and Leia, and Lia. And a bit different at the mo.

go for Bella if you love it. I also have a family member and pet name in common in our family. You get over it and forget.

Say the name aloud a lot and imagine using it in different situations.

Bella has become a bit of a pets name, so many dogs are called it!
Having said that, if it's the name you love you should definitely use it. It's better than Isla IMO which is also way too popular now, and I think most girls would be happy to be called Bella. It's on trend, simple to spell etc and feminine.
I think Leah is really pretty but it probably is a bit dated, don't like Chloe/Khloe at all, it's a Lauren kind of name.

Leia is such a lovely name, just saw it on a PP