Can Belle stand on its own?

Do you think Belle could stand on its own as a full name? I absolutely adore the name, but any other name where it could be a nn is much too popular for my taste (Isabelle, Annabelle, etc.)

Also, if you do like it, what other middle name could I use? Right now I have Belle Violet _____, and would love another middle name.

Thanks in advance for any and all input! :)

I'm not really a fan of Belle on its own (I've known way too many dogs named Belle), but it is very pretty. (Think of Days of Our Lives...though her name was Isabella).
I really have a hard time finding middle names when the first is only one syllable, but here are some ideas.

Belle Eleanora
Belle Margaret
Belle Angelina
Belle Ariadne
Belle Camilia

Yes! I think Belle (or Bella) could stand on its own. I am not very fond of one syllable names, but this one is adorable!

I am horrible at mn's, I've only used family names for the mn of my children, so I wouldn't be the one to answer that. Sorry!

Belle has been one of my favorites lately! I love it's beautiful simplicity. It's longer in letters than many popular names, look at Emma and Ava. I also don't see anything wrong with being one syllable, nobody seems to question George and Claire.

What do you think of Belle Magnolia? It's flower name like Violet but I think it's more distinctive and has a really pretty feel.

I know a little girl named Bella. To me, the names Belle & Bella don't really get away from the popularity of -bella names.

I like Belle, but it does sound very 'Disney' to me.

Have you considered?

Belia
Belinda
Blanca
Brielle
Ellen
Elma
Carmella
Chantel
Hazel
Jenelle
Maebelle
Marybelle
Nell/Nelle
Noelle
Rosabelle
Sibell

I think Belle has a pretty sound, but as a previous poster mentioned, I can't seem to get past the Beauty and the Beast connection.

Somehow, Bella, though arguably the a on the end would make it even frillier, feels more dignified and less Disney princess as a formal first name.

Bella Jane
Bella Simone
Bella Frances
Bella Louise
Bella Maeve
Bella June

I LOVE Belle (and Bella, but Belle more) on its own, and I think an advantage is that many of the Isabelles etc will go by nns related to the first part of the name. The only thing is that, if you're worried about popularity, this is very much on its way up (and with Bella being a Twilight name, I think that will continue). Belle is still out of the US top 1000, but Bella has gone up from 749 in 2000 to 122 now - that's quite a rise! So I think you should be prepared for there to be a lot of Belles just a few years younger than your daughter. I'm not sure it would bother me, but I thought you should know.

I think that Belle is beautiful, but for some reason, I picture it more as a middle name, such as Genevieve Belle. I love Annabelle and Mirabelle, and now that I think about it, I don't see any reason why Belle can't be used on its own.

Good luck! :-)

Yes, I think that Belle can stand on its own! In fact, while I really like Isabelle, Anabelle, Mirabelle... I really love Belle all by itself.

Of course, that could also be because it is a family name. My great-great-grandmother was Belle and she was a fiery redhead that lived to be 103. In fact, I was 6 when she died. Because of her, I have a great association with that name.

On a side note, that particular part of my family has really awesome names. And many are getting pretty popular. Belle had two children, Lula and Royce (g-gpa). Royce married Ava (yep, that spelling and she was born before Ava Gardner) whose mother was Josephine (nn Josie).

If you like Belle, then go with Belle. My only adivce would be that if you have a one syllable last name that it may not be the best choice. Also, you would probably want to go with a longer mn.

I am usually a no-goer for giving nns as names but ... Belle is the one I think can do it, especially right now, with the absolute explosion in Isabelle(a)s, Annabel(le)s, etc., etc., etc.