Girl name issue

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2006
Girl name issue
9
Mon, 04-10-2006 - 4:11pm
My husband and I can't agree on a girl's name. He loves the name Isabella (nn Bella). Although I don't hate it, I'm not in love with it either. I think the name is beautiful, but to me, the name sounds Italian or Spanish and just doesn't fit for a little German-Irish girl. WDYT?

Nikki


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2005
In reply to: lilbeaner
Mon, 04-10-2006 - 4:33pm

Isabella is SO popular at this point, that I wouldn't worry too much about the ethnicity issue. But honestly, I'm so incredibly sick of all the Bella names (I know dozens of Belles, Bellas, Isabels, Isabelles, Isabellas, etc) that my major concern with it would be the trendiness.


Does he have any other names he likes? Maybe you can compromise and use Isabelle or Isabella as the middle name. Then he can still call her Bella as a nickname at home, but she won't be one of the mass at school.


If you use Isabelle, you could probably use a 2-3 syllable name without it being overwhelming. If you use Isabella as a middle name, I'd go with a short first name since it is so long. Maybe:

Brooke Isabella
Paige Isabella
Claire Isabella
Anne Isabella
Tess Isabella




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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-14-2003
In reply to: lilbeaner
Mon, 04-10-2006 - 4:39pm

I think Isabella is...

1) way over-used right now;
2) not the best name for a German-Irish girl (altho it's a name everyone uses now anyway).

I think you should keep looking for a name!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2005
In reply to: lilbeaner
Mon, 04-10-2006 - 5:08pm

I think its very pretty, but if you don't love it, don't use it. I'm sure he can find something else he loves just as much.
If you want some ideas to propose, here are some lovely Irish names:
(http://www.babynamenetwork.com/baby_names/origin.cfmorigin=Irish&gender=Female&start_row=1)
Cecily
Fiona
Erin
Leah
Maeve
Mairin
Niamh
Nola
Siobhan
Shannon
Talulah

And some German names:
http://www.babynameworld.com/german-girl.asp
Adalia
Ava
Aubrey
Elisabeth
Erika
Gretchen
Leyna
Lorelei
Louise

Maybe use a combo of these names, ex. German first name and Irish mn or other way around. I like:
Cecily Gretchen
Fiona Louise
Erika Mairin
Ava Siobhan


                             
Avatar for haarlasr
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: lilbeaner
Mon, 04-10-2006 - 10:16pm

I don't think ethnicity is an issue with Isabella. The one little Isabella I know is not Spanish or Italian (dad is white with possibly Polish ln and mom is Asian), but her name suits her perfectly.

I know that it's getting more popular (along with the other Bella names), but I honestly only know this one Isabella and a dog named Bella in my area, so it might vary quite a bit based on region.

If you love the name, I think you should use it. But if you have other reasons for not liking it, then keep looking.

Good luck!
Stephanie

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2005
In reply to: lilbeaner
Tue, 04-11-2006 - 12:10am

I go to school with a girl who named her baby girl Isabella and the entire family calls her Bella. She is one of the most beautiful baby girls I have ever seen she has a light olive skin tone blue/gray eyes and she also has a great temperment.

Dawn

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
In reply to: lilbeaner
Tue, 04-11-2006 - 9:31am

I think it's a flexible name. It's a pretty name. :)

Jenn

Lilypie 1st Birthday Ticker
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2006
In reply to: lilbeaner
Tue, 04-11-2006 - 12:55pm
I really like this name. You have to go with what you like though!
Avatar for midwestmom2000
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: lilbeaner
Tue, 04-11-2006 - 1:56pm
Have you considered Annabel or Arabella as alternatives to Isabella. They are less popular, less ethnic and your DH could still use the nn Bella.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
In reply to: lilbeaner
Tue, 04-11-2006 - 3:52pm
There are too many Isabella's nn Bella! I encourage you to keep looking! And you're right, it does have an Italian feel to it. I think all the Isabellas whose last name is McConnell, Hamilton and Wiatrik are a little ridiculous!