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Baby names

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Original poster

Isabella/Bella and Twilight!

39 replies

NotATwilightFan · 03/04/2010 15:00

I really want to name my DD Bella. Well Isabella, Bella for short. It's a family name - grandmother called it.

However, everyone keeps telling me about the Twilight films/books, although I'm now aware this is the main character's name....

How many baby Bellas do you know? Is it popular in your experience? Would you let it put you off? It was number one in Australia last year!

I know I can't pick a name that is entirely original, however, I don't pick one that really defines an era. For instance Sues are nearly always in their 50s, Kelly's 70's children and so on... WWYD?

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Bucharest · 03/04/2010 15:02

It is hugely popular, even without the yawnsome and tediously crap films and books.

I know a fair few under 5s. I'd say it's definitely in the top 10.

Original poster
NotATwilightFan · 03/04/2010 15:05

Would you let that change your mind if you'd been set on a name for a girl for years?

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Fimbow · 03/04/2010 15:05

Every 2nd child I know seems to be Isobella/Isabella/Isobel/Isabel with the nn either Izzy or Bella. It is tedious. But just my opinion. If you like it, ignore what anyone else says or thinks.

Bucharest · 03/04/2010 15:07

Hmm. Tough one lol. I suppose not, as long as I could distance myself from the Twilight rubbish. The popularity of the name in itself wouldn't stop me. Vampires might.

dizzydixies · 03/04/2010 15:10

oh ffs here we go again

it MAY be popular in some parts however DD1 is Isabella and we only know of one other who is YEARS younger than her

we used it as we have a lot of family connections to it, it is a beautiful name, has a lovely meaning and is TIMELESS

if you're that worried about itbeing popular don't use it but please use a name you love rather than trying to hard to be 'different' for the sake of it

Fimbow · 03/04/2010 15:13

Sorry Dizzy

Fimbow · 03/04/2010 15:14

Oh and I think it is more popular in England than Scotland.

dizzydixies · 03/04/2010 15:18

sorry Fimbow - I just feel like I should be copying and pasting it at the minute

I have a huge dislike for people jumping on the 'its too popular bandwagon' I mean ffs there are as many people in London as there are in the whole of fecking Scotland so its unlikely to be the same all over the UK!!!

Original poster
NotATwilightFan · 03/04/2010 15:18

dizzydixies - Sorry to bore you! However I'm not constantly on these boards and know every discussion about every baby name there is.

I agree it is beautiful and timeless - it's classic. I hardly think that using it constitutes as 'different'. I have an unusual name, I particular wouldn't want to lump my daughter with one. However I wouldn't want an extremely common one either. Just preference.

In your experience you only know one other Isabella - that's nice to know. I think I'm more worried that someone will think I'm some vampire nut (sorry to any twilight fans)

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DebiNewberry · 03/04/2010 15:19

Imo it is a very very popular name, there are a lot at school and identified by surname eg Isabella K, Isabella C and so on. But, it is a very pretty name, equally so for a small child or adult. I wouldn't worry about Twilight, will be over soon.

dizzydixies · 03/04/2010 15:23

NotATwilight - please see above apology re rant however I get annoyed at people not using a name they LOVE due to worry that it might be popular

this is YOUR baby, you are entitled to call it what you wish for whatever reason and the reason the name has family ties for you only makes it more special in my eyes

our Isabella is Ella. Named after my beloved great Aunt (who was known as Isa), was my mother's middle name, my aunt is Isobel and it is my cousins middle name - she loves the fact that all these people share in her name somehow and at the ripe old age of almost 7yrs has decided she would like to be known as Issy

the only other one I know is 3yrs old and is known as Issy not Ella or Bella

if you love it, use it or you'll regret it otherwise as no other name will have the same meaning - having named 3 dds I've found it very hard to find another name I've loved as much

Original poster
NotATwilightFan · 03/04/2010 15:25

dizzydixies - Thanks for that - I am aware that if I already had a DD called it I'd feel the need to defend it too.
And you're right, of course, I would regret not using it, and I cannot find another name I like as much. Better to use a beautiful and loved popular name than second best!

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Wanderingsheep · 03/04/2010 15:26

I don't know any Isabellas although my DD is Isabel. Don't know of any others, although that may change when she gets to school.

People often comment on what a lovely name she has.

I wouldn't assume that you were a Twilight fan fwiw.

providentielle · 03/04/2010 15:31

I don't know any Bella's through work or privately. Know 2 who have it as a middle name. I live in central Scotland

I think it's lovely and I'm a twilight fan who wouldn't think you had named your daughter after the books. Think it probably will increase in popularity due to the books and films though-another one is due out at end of June with another, possibly two to follow.

When she is older though she may read them herself and love that she shares the name with the character.

dizzydixies · 03/04/2010 15:32

oh and mine wants to be known as Isabella not Issy, sorry - not that it makes much difference to your choice so not sure why I'm telling you

LadyCressida · 03/04/2010 17:33

Surely all the twilight fans are age 15 and under and not old enough to be having babies yet... I am really surprised that many mums instantly leap to that conclusion.

And no one would instantly say 'ah a twilight fan' if you suggested calling a boy Edward.

Just don't call her Renesmee

suwoo · 03/04/2010 17:36

FWIW, I don't know any Isabella's and I have never seen/read twilight

However, my name is Su (Suzanne) and I am 34 not in my fifties.

izzybiz · 03/04/2010 17:40

My Dd is Isabelle and we call her Bella.
Its a popular name due to the fact it is a classic beautiful name.

I don't think its "over" popular though, not like Ava, Ruby etc.

If you like it then use it, I'd rather use a good classic name that I love than try to hard to be different IYKWIM.

KristinaM · 03/04/2010 17:41

I dont know a single child called Bella or Isabella. And I have one child in nursery and two in school> i think its a beautiful name

I only know adult Isobels and they are all 50+, so IMHO its due for a revival
'
I have never watched twilight

plonker · 03/04/2010 17:41

It's a beautiful name. Dd3 was nearly Isabel

It is very popular, and I do think it will be even more so because of Twilight (I'm 34 and lots of Twilight fans are around my age, including me )

I agree with Dizzy though - don't be put off a name because it's popular - you will most certainly regret it

Needanewname · 03/04/2010 17:42

Well I've always loved the name Phoebe, but DH not keen cos of friends, with DD2 he agreed but we named her something else in the end - really regret not going with my favourite name - oh well, its her middle name

elvislives · 03/04/2010 17:44

I think each of the various spellings of Isobel/Isabella is in the top twenty, if not the top 10. Added together it would probably be the most common girls name.

My dancing teacher had 6 girls in her class of 20 called Isabel.

sweetkitty · 03/04/2010 18:03

It is a beautiful name and if this baby had been a girl it would have been her name.

I don't know of any other Isabella's either (apart from Dizzy's of course)

Round here it's all Sophie, Emma or Evie!

loobylu3 · 03/04/2010 18:09

Isabella is a v pretty name, though I love the more simple Isabel even more!

I don't think the Twilight connection is v strong.

I would tend to agree with dizzy re names that you love and popularity.

If you want a similar but less popular choice, how about Isadora- I think it's beautiful!

Strawberrycornetto · 03/04/2010 18:11

My DD is 5 and is an (Isa)Bella. She is the only one in her year at school in London(60 children in reception). We are moving and the head in the new school said there is one other Bella in the whole school. It was more popular where we used to live (SW London) but I don't know any more Bellas than I do Lucy, Mia, Ella, Ava, Millie etc. Probably fewer.

I was slightly saddened to think that DD might retrospectively be associated with a fictional character but such is life. At least our surname isn't Swann.