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I don't really like it as I find it too nicknames as a full name (I think the same with Bella). Therefore I prefer it as a nickname (perhaps for Isabelle or Maybelle)

I like Belle. It's dowdy and sweet. I don't know if it'll ever make a comeback anytime soon - we're oversaturated with Bellas and Isabelles and Annabelles so I think people have had their fill of the sound for a while.

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I have a stock Belle combo, and I'd use Belle over Bella myself.

I dislike Belle. Too much like a word, and a rather harsh and jangling one at that. However, though I do prefer it to Bella, I'd much prefer, say, Isobel used as a full name and, if it had to be shortened, then I'd go for Izzie or Iso rather than either of the Belly versions.

I have always loved Belle and Bella. But with all of the Isabelle, Isabella, Arabella, etc... names in popularity, it isn't something I would want to use.

I also love the name Belle and it's all because of the Beauty and the Beast connection for me! I could see it making a comeback for sure.

I like Belle MUCH better then Bella. I prefer it only as a nn though and not as a full name. Isabelle or Anabelle nn Belle are both lovely. :)

This message was edited 6/6/2011, 8:43 PM

I like this name! It was my nn in high school so I am partial to it.

I definitely like it more than Bella - Bella to me is way too 'cute', not good for a grown up imo. Sometimes I like it on it's own, but there are days where I have always wished for a longer name to go with it - like Mirabelle or Anabelle. I always get asked if Belle is short for Isabelle etc. so thats another thing to consider.

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It could be due for a comeback, keeping in trend with one-syllable names or else all those 'bel' names.

This message was edited 6/6/2011, 7:20 PM

I like Belle. I think it makes a sweet middle name, especially. I dislike Bella and think it totally ruins the charm of Belle. I don't think Belle will make a comeback- in fact, I'm not aware of it ever being popular.

I strongly dislike Belle. And Bella. And the longer names like Isabelle/a, Arabelle/a, etc. I think it's exactly the uber-pretty, pink, girly, Beauty and the Beast association. So if that's what you're going for, then I guess it would be accomplished by Belle.

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As for a comeback, I don't know of very many one-syllable names that are making it big right now - for girls I mean. So probably not.

I think it's secretly popular, just like Kate (see the Maple and Kate thread). Not extremely popular, but being used more often than you'd think. It doesn't appear on many birth certificates but I'm certain that most of the girls named Isabella, Isabel, Isabelle, Annabel, Annabelle, Annabella, Bella etc get called Belle at least occasionally. And Isabella is number 1. Bella is probably more common, though. But I could imagine that Bell or Belle is used for short.

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I like it, also on its own. It's classic and pretty and I like the Disney movie.

I think Belle is much sweeter than Bella. Bella reminds me of "bellow", and "Twilight." Belle, on the other hand, is my favorite princess. :)

I have liked this name ever since Beauty and the Beast :) I think it is such a pretty name. I am a little afraid of the trendiness of Bella though. They are so close. I don't think I would use it just for that reason. I feel the same way about Isabelle and Sofie. So pretty, but way to close to Isabella and Sofia for me to consider.

I will agree that Belle is better than the frilly (and now Twilight-associated) Bella.

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However, I strongly dislike "bel" names. Belle, Bella, Isabelle, Anabel -- I just don't like any of them. I guess I find all of them to be on the frilly side (to varying degrees) and I dislike the sound and aesthetics in general. Having a Bel element is one of the quickest ways to turn me off to a name.

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I feel the same way about "-leigh" names.

I think it's a fairly common nickname, but I don't see it gaining popularity as a given name anytime soon. I do love Belle, though.

I am in the minority here...

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...but I REALLY don't like Belle (or Bella). Sorry.

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Make a comeback? IDK...maybe. I'm not going to help it though :) Sorry, but I really just don't like this name.

I think it's okay as a nickname for Annabelle, Isabelle, or other -belle or Bel- names, but it seems too insubstantial and cutesy on its own. I feel the same way about Bella. Bella is closer to other names, such as Ella, Ava, and, of course, Isabella, that are typical for girls these days. Longer names (2+ syllables) are more in vogue for girls in the U.S., which is probably part of why Bella is popular and Belle is not.

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Belle might become popular as a nickname, but I don't see it becoming popular as a first name. I think a lot of people will probably just stick with Bella, Annabel / Annabelle, Isabella, and Isabel / Isabelle.

This message was edited 6/6/2011, 3:38 PM

I actually really like Belle, and I'm surprised that it hasn't experienced a popularity explosion. It has the potential to do this, I think.

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For the record, I vastly prefer dainty and understated Belle to treacly and bumbling Bella.

I like Belle very much, but I don't think it's ripe for a comeback just yet. I think it's lacking the "ella" aspect (which is a bit whiny in some names if you ask me) that is so popular right now.

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I really like Belle, much more than Bella. I don't mind the Beauty and the Beast connection either because that's one of my favorite fairy tales and Disney movies, and it's not so unique a name as to stand out like Cinderella.

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As for a comeback - I mean, it only broke the top 100 in the 1880s and since then has been in the top 1000 or off the list entirely. If the popularity of the Disney film didn't increase the name's usage to break the top 1000 when it came out, I honestly can't see it ever doing it again. At least not as a separate name. I'm sure there's lot of little Isabels out there going by Belle. I like that it's common and feels "popular" but it's not really everywhere so a kid won't have to be known as Belle S. or Belle G. her entire school career. It's a nice in between that I can see staying that way tbh.