Please help! The name I loved is overused and I can't find another to commit to...

[halcyonidae]

What about Isobel, Isabel or something? You can still call her Bella
Or Arabella, Mirabella, Annabella?

[shannonbrianna1]

Anabella, Arabella, or just Isabelle. If I loved the name as much as you sound like you do, I would still use it if I couldnt find another name I loved as much!

[misshoppy]

I'm a teacher, and I've never had doubles of this name. In fact, I think just one, and that was in 2003!
I was really fretting over popular names, but then I realized that doubles in a class seem to be less common than they were when I was growing up. There was always multiples of Ryan, Jennifer, Sarah, Melissa/Alyssa when I was growing up.
But, since I've been teaching, I've only ever had doubles of Sophia, Aidan, Julia, and Maya.

[ish]

Thank you all! Great suggestions!

Arabella and Annabelle are on DHs "Don't mind" list. I don't think that I'll rule Isabella completely out, though she may become "Isabelle" instead. My first name was unusual when I was growing up, and I hadn't seen it used regularly until maybe 10 years ago (I'm 32) so that was nice. Also, people always commented on how beautiful my name was, and I want the same for her

I really appreciate all of your thoughts. And I'll be reviewing all of the names suggested with DH this week!

[svea]

Isabella/Isabel/Isobel are very pretty. I love Arabella though, so unique and exotic yet familiar! Isolde, Rosabella, Sibel, or Isabetta, perhaps? Good luck

[elisabeth rae]

IMO Isabel/Isobel are much fresher now with the Isabella/Isabelle wave. Good luck!

[kala_way]

There are so many beautiful *bel* names!

Meribel is my favorite
Christabel
Anabel
Claribel
Sabelle
Rozabel

[nono]

Perhaps you could use Sybella or Sabela rather than Isabella? They're both very similar in sound but nowhere near as well known. The one big drawback could be that people might not be familiar with them and might simply mishear them as Isabella.

I really like everything on your list. It's hard for me to pick favorites. I do especially like the fact that Nora honors your grandmother, and Anika is an old favorite of mine that I think seems surprisingly underused.

Someone also already pointed out the idea of Vivienne Isabella, which is an absolutely gorgeous combo.

Suggestions ...

Lila
Elle
Eleanor / Elinor (You could get Nora as a nickname from this, although that might get in the way of honoring so it may be a better bet to just use Nora.)
Coralie
Bellamy
Annora
Eleri
Eleni
Felicity
Mariella

[thelifespark]

Have you considered the simple and beautiful on it's own, Belle? Otherwise I agree that changing the spelling to the less trendy version--Isabel or Isobel--or maybe trying some other Bella ending names like Arabella (one of my personal favorites) and Mirabella which are also beautiful names, may be the best way to avoid the popularity train. The other choice, which I believe has been mentioned, is so put Isabella in the middle spot.

[marinadancel17]

Arabella! So cute, not very popular, vowel name, and the nn Bella.