Belle and Bella Names

Anabel

Spanish variation of Annabelle, combination of Anna and Belle or variation of Amabel

"loving"

Anabel is the sleekest version of this lovely name with so many variations, all of them correct. But Anabel and all her sisters -- Annabel, Annabelle, Anabella etc. -- took a downward turn after the…

Clarabelle

Latin

"bright and beautiful"

A combination name that might be dismissed as a clown and cow name. The sounds are nevertheless pretty and the meaning is good - though spellings Claribel or Clarabel might help distance it from the…

Sabella

Sabella is a feminine name with Italian and Latin origins, most commonly considered a shortened form of Isabella or a variant of Sabina. Isabella derives from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning 'God…

Ysabel

Spanish variation of Isabel, variation of Elizabeth, Hebrew

"pledged to God"

Ysabel is the original spelling of this ever-more-popular name, though to English-speakers, the initial Y may confuse pronunciation. Only 14 baby girls were given the Ysabel spelling in the US last…

Bonnibel

English invented name

"cheerful, beautiful"

Bonnie meets Annabel (or Belle, or any other name ending in this sound) in this jaunty modern compound.

Rosabel

English

"beautiful rose"

Rosabel, a vintage smoosh name created in the 18th century, feels slightly less frilly than her cousins Rosabelle and Rosabella. It could make for a more distinctive alternative to Isabel, or an…

Abella

French, meaning 'breath'

A pretty name heard in the Louisiana Cajun community, Abella would fit right in with all the other, more familiar, bella names.

Elizabella

English combination of Eliza + Bella

"pledged to God + beautiful"

Elizabella is a much more obscure smoosh than sisters Isabella and Annabelle, but the megapopularity of Isabella may give this unusual combo name a boost.

Corabelle

Corabelle is a charming feminine name that combines elements of Cora and Belle, both names with their own rich meanings. Cora comes from Greek, meaning "maiden" or possibly from the Latin "cor"…

Jezebel

Hebrew

"not exalted"

Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab in the Hebrew Book of Kings, has long had a bad girl reputation. But in the modern secular world, this is somewhat mitigated by the feminist perspective of her as a…

Christabel

Latin and French

"fair Christian"

Though Isabel is a smash hit, Christabel still hasn't been fully embraced. It was originally popularized in England via the Coleridge poem Christabel ("whom her father loves so well") and was given…

Claribel

English combination of Clara + -bel, Latin

"bright + beautiful"

Claribel improves on its mother name Clarabelle by distancing itself from the clown and the cow.

Ysabelle

Ysabelle is an elegant feminine name, representing a medieval French spelling variation of Isabel or Isabella. The name ultimately derives from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning 'God is my oath' or…

Amabella

Latin

"lovable"

Amabella is an elaboration of Amabel, a popular medieval name. Neil Gaiman and Liane Moriarty used Amabella as a character name in their novels, The Graveyard Book and Big Little Lies , respectively.

Orabella

Latin variation of Arabella

"beautiful altar"

Lacks the vintage charm of the original Arabella, but with the love for all names Bella, it might appeal to some.

Bluebell

Flower name from English

"blue bell"

Bluebell is one flower name that is used very quietly. Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell joined her former Spice Sisters in creative baby-naming with this adventurous — some might say outlandish —…

Belisent

Literary, meaning unknown

An obscure literary choice, Belisent is an alternative name for the character of Morgause from Arthurian legend, featured in the 13th-century Middle English verse romance "Of Arthour and of Merlin".…

Mehitabel

Hebrew

"God rejoices"

Most famously, the name of a 1920s alley cat.

Melibella

Melibella is a rare feminine name combining elements of 'Meli' (possibly from Greek 'meli' meaning honey) and 'bella' (beautiful in Italian and Latin). This compound name evokes sweetness and beauty…

Arbella

Arbella is a feminine name with noble historical connections, most notably through Lady Arbella Stuart, a potential successor to Queen Elizabeth I of England in the early 17th century. The name…