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Belle
This month a live action version of 'The Beauty and the Beast' was released which, of course, features a main character named Belle. I am French and to me it is more of a word than a name (it means 'beautiful') and I could never use this as a full name because in France that would just be a bit weird. But I really like it in theory, it has a pretty sound and sounds like the English word 'bell' which is nice. I also really like 'The Beauty and the Beast' and the character of Belle. I grew up with that movie and it holds so many nice childhood memories.1) What do you think of Belle?
2) Will it get popular? If they had released this 10 years ago I am sure it would have exploded in popularity but now with all the -bella/-bel names falling from favor I am not sure if it will have an impact.
3) Bella or Belle?
4) If you had to use it as a nickname, which full name would you choose? Options would be Isabella, Isabel, Isabelle, Annabella, Annabel, Mirabelle, Mirabella etc.
5) What are your opinions on Maribella, Mirabella, Annabel and Annabella? I think these four would be my top contenders for the nickname Belle. Does Belle work as a nickname for all of these? Which one is your favorite?

This message was edited 3/28/2017, 4:51 AM

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I like Bella better because Belle just sounds like "bell", but I'm okay with it as a nickname. Arabella is my favorite full name, but I like Annabelle and Mirabelle/Mirabella too. I'm honestly that Belle didn't chart in the early '90's after the animated movie came out.
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1) I grew up associating Belle with the Disney princess because the animated film came out when I was 2, plus it reminds me of "southern belle". Although it's an okay NN (pretty but a bit trite), it seems flimsy to me as a full name.2) I already consider -belle and -bella names trendy where I live. They went up in popularity in the 90s after Disney's animated version of Beauty and the Beast came out and then again after Twilight came out. They might spike a little because of the new movie, but overall, I don't think it will have that much impact.3) Belle, definitely. Bella annoys me these days because of Twilight.4) I would use Amabel. I really liked Mirabelle / Mirabella and Arabella about a decade ago. Christabel is a GP of mine.5) My current favorite of those is Annabel. I wouldn't use Belle as a NN for a -bella name personally, but it could work.
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Beauty and the Beast was my sister's favourite movie growing up and still is. We went and saw the live action which I loved.I like Belle. Bella has been on and off my lists as long as I can remember - twilight turned me off it for a while because I dislike the character so much.I struggle to see Belle as a full name although it would work.I think Belle may get more popular but I don't see it breaking chart records.... Right now - Belle over Bella but this changes constantly.I'd chose Mirabelle but anything containing "Belle" could lead to the nickname. Even something offbeat like Bellerose or Belphoebe.
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I think Belle is beautiful. It's simple but has that classic feel that reminds me of Jane. I was thinking the same thing when I saw the commercials for The Beauty & the Beast, if it would get popular. Honestly, I don't think it will get too popular. When Frozen was released sure, Elsa's popularity rose, but the name didn't actually get popular, you know? I think if I had to choose I'd go with Belle over Bella. My favorite "-bella" name has always been Arabella, so I guess I'd go with that. I don't really like any of the other "-bella" names. I feel like parents would rather go with Mari instead of Belle for a name like Maribelle and same goes for Mirabella, "Mira". I think it works better for Annabel and Annabella.
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I've never seen Belle used outside an American context. I find it sleazy, except for Snoopy's sister. Bella people used to abound, though the youngest I've met must be in her 60s by now or even 70s.Bella used to be OK but has gone to the dogs, pun intended. I like Isabel, but I like Isobel more. I also like Annabel and Rosabel; Christabel would be fine too but only for Christians, otherwise it arouses the obvious expectations. But I wouldn't use Bella as a nn for any of them.I prefer Mirabel to Maribella and Mirabella, and I find Annabella too fussy and frilly. Annabel, then!
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I think of Belle more as a nickname. I think a reason to this could be my heritage (French, too) and the fact that I know it's a French word, even though I don't speak much of the language myself. I'm pretty sure it will gain some popularity this year due to the move, but I don't predict a huge increase. I really prefer Belle over Bella though, just as I prefer Isabelle over Isabella. If I had to use it as a nickname then I'd go with Isabelle/Isobel as the given name. I'm not a huge fan of -bella/belle names though. I think they are cheesy, childish and way too frilly/princessy.
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