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Original poster

Belle? Or one of the others on my shortlist?

25 replies

GColdtimer · 07/12/2009 10:56

What do you think of it? Would it be better to call her Isobelle with Belle as a nn or does it stand up by itself? Other names on the list are:

Beth
Polly
Lucy
Amelie
Jasmine
Emily (I know how common this is though)
Clara (although doesn't really go with our surname which ends in a "a" sound)

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MrsMattie · 07/12/2009 11:03

Belle is very sweet, but can also sound strong and feminine on a grown woman (I know a 40-something Belle, a city lawyer, very glam and fiercely bright, so it makes me like the name even more).

Polly is sweet, too. I love it.

Clara is lovely, and quite unusual these days.

Emily is a gorgeous, classic name, but obviously much more common.

Jasmine is nice but incredibly popular. I prefer Yasmin.

Amelie - not for me. It's become over-used.

Lucy - dislike this name. Too sweet and girly. Unless it is short for Lucille, which is gorgeous.

Rachiesparrow · 07/12/2009 11:05

I think Belle can stand up on it's own beautifully. I like all your other names too - esp Clara and Polly.

Original poster
GColdtimer · 07/12/2009 11:06

Thanks MrsMattie, hadn't thought of Lucille, that is lovely. Glad you know a fiesty Belle, was a bit worried about the disney connotations.

OP posts:
Bucharest · 07/12/2009 11:14

Beth- prefer Elizabeth
Polly- like this
Lucy- loathe this, on my list of irrational hatreds, sounds wet.
Amelie- uber trendy and not to be used if you don't have a chic French accent.
Jasmine- Another Disney Princess
Emily (I know how common this is though)Nuff said.
Clara Lovely.

Definitely prefer Isabel (that spelling) to Belle, which is a bit too Disney Princess for me.

Pinner35 · 07/12/2009 11:17

I love the names Lucy and Amelie, not keen on any of the others. Belle reminds me of my friends cat.

Original poster
GColdtimer · 07/12/2009 11:18

@ chic french accent.

Funnily enough i don't have one of those so might be swiping it off the list for that reason.

OP posts:
LaDiDaDi · 07/12/2009 11:19

Belle, Polly or Clara imo.

doubleexpresso · 07/12/2009 11:33

All the names on your list are lovely. How about Bella ? Like Belle as a stand alone name.

birdofthenorth · 07/12/2009 12:36

I really do like Belle, on it's own or as an nn, but I also think Belle de Jour, which isn't the best association, but would pass with time as the books and tv show became old news!

manfrom · 07/12/2009 12:45

sorry but Belle just screams "hooker" to me.

boodleboot · 07/12/2009 13:13

Belle is lovely. I think it is good for any age but it needs a longer middle name...like Belle Elizabeth or Belle Alexandra...

mathanxiety · 07/12/2009 15:18

Belle can stand alone, imo, and I like it. Of the others on your list, I like Lucy and Jasmine too.

Original poster
GColdtimer · 07/12/2009 18:08

Have to say hadn;t even thought of the belle de jour but then I didn't watch it so doesn't really bother me!

OP posts:
bellissima · 07/12/2009 18:11

Whilst I ought to support Belle I think it would be nicer as a nn for Isobel.

Like Clara (would it really not go with the surname?). Also like Lucy. Know a lot of Emilys/Emmys/Emilias. Agree with the others re Amelie, and just not particularly keen on the others. Jasmine to me is a Disney character.

MaggieNollaig · 07/12/2009 18:25

Beth or Polly.

Belle is too disney. I like Annabel, Mabel and Maribel though. Isabel is nice but there are more of them.

I like Emily and Emilia but again, very popular..

Belle doesn't scream hooker to me that's harsh!

MaggieNollaig · 07/12/2009 18:26

ah yes,,, belle du jour. i get it! I thought you meant it was like pussy or honey or something.

shootfromthehip · 07/12/2009 18:29

We have a Clara whom I call Clarabelle or Clarabella. So erm, I'm kind of biased

RubiMama · 17/12/2009 13:17

Oh I love Belle, it's on my list for DD (currently cooking) but DH doesn't like it. I agree it'skind of pretty but also strong.

CarmenTinselPalmTreesSanDiego · 17/12/2009 13:26

Wow, Belle is fabulous. I did make a bit of a Disney connection (Beauty + The Beast) but I could imagine a little girl making it her own, and becoming a wonderful lady who also could really own the name.

Not so keen on Isobel which is a bit too popular for my taste.

goingforitagain · 17/12/2009 13:40

Belle is beautiful! I'd say its a stand alone name. Isobelle could end up later on turning into Izzy. (which I like too) but if you want her to be called Belle, call her Belle.
also love jasmine and emily. very girly names.
in fact your name choices are lovely....a lot nicer than some I read on here

UnrequitedSkink · 17/12/2009 18:36

Belle is a fabulous name, it would be on my own shortlist except there's a family connection which has kind of ruled it out. Go for it, it's strong and feminine.

izzybiz · 17/12/2009 18:46

I think its lovely, we have an Isabelle, known by us as Bella, everyone else calls her Izzy.

Openbook · 17/12/2009 18:51

I like all your choices - can't beieve it. Really prefer Isobel though.

thesecondcoming · 17/12/2009 18:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

winnybella · 17/12/2009 19:02

Polly makes me think about a parrot.
Emily-lovely.
Bella or Belle- lovely, too. We have Isabella, I call her Bella ( although I pronounce two ls).

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