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The Bella Alternatives

otri
By otri
Updated Thu May 25 2023
Most of the names below are 2-3 syllables and contain a vowel sound followed by -la. Some are a stretch and others are so obvious you'll be surprised you didn't think of them yourself!
  1. Adela

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "noble"

    • Description:

      A vibrant variation of Adele, with a bit of extra flair from that "-a" ending. It could join the army of popular A girls' names, especially with its tie to the success of singer Adele.
  2. Aella

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "whirlwind"

    • Description:

      Aella is one of the Amazons in Greek mythology, killed by Heracles in his quest for Hyppolita’s magic girdle. Aella or Aelle (often written as Ælla or Ælle) is also an ancient Saxon masculine name, belonging to several kings of regions of modern-day England from the 5th to 9th centuries.
  3. Aila

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Helga or Scottish Gaelic

    • Meaning:

      "from the strong place"

    • Description:

      Now that Isla Fisher has pushed her once-obscure name into the Top 150, some parents are looking for similar-sounding Scottish names for girls that are further off the beaten path. This one is especially promising, with its cross-cultural appeal. Ayla, a common name in Turkey, is also worth considering.
  4. Ailsa

    • Origin:

      Scottish from Norse

    • Meaning:

      "elf victory"

    • Description:

      Ailsa is a traditional Scottish name for girls related to a rocky island in the Firth of Clyde called Ailsa Craig. It might make an interesting alternative to the outdated Ashley or overly popular Ella, and could also be thought of as a relative of Elizabeth or Elsa.
  5. Baila

    • Origin:

      Yiddish

    • Meaning:

      "white; bashful"

    • Description:

      Also written as Bayla, Baila is reminiscent of the Spanish word for "dance". Its meaning is debated: it may come from the Slavic root word for "white", or it may be a form of Bilhah, one of the four women who gave birth to the tribes of Israel. An offbeat approach to Bella.
  6. Calla

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful"

    • Description:

      Calla is a botanical name that is much more distinctive than popular Lily or similar Callie. Rarely heard today, it did appear in the popularity lists in the last decades of the nineteenth century.
  7. Celia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "heavenly"

    • Description:

      Celia, splendidly sleek and feminine, is a name that was scattered throughout Shakespeare and other Elizabethan literature, but still manages to feel totally modern.
  8. Cilla

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Priscilla

    • Meaning:

      "ancient"

    • Description:

      Takes the priss out of Priscilla.
  9. Ciela
    • Cila
      • Eila

        • Origin:

          Hebrew, Norwegian variation of Elina

        • Meaning:

          "oak tree; bright, shining light"

        • Description:

          Eila is a Hebrew name heard in Israel. The name also has roots in Finland and Norway, where it's derived from Elina, a variation of Helen, or from Aila, a form of Helga. Eila could gain attention as a cross-cultural name and fresh alternative to popular sound-alike choices like Ayla, Ella, and Isla.
      • Elia

        • Origin:

          Italian variation of Elijah, Hebrew

        • Meaning:

          "Jehovah is God"

        • Description:

          Though the most famous Elia, screenwriter Kazan, was male, this name sounds like a spin on many popular girls' names, from Ella to Ellie to Isla and Leah. While the Italian pronunciation has the middle syllable as LEE, making it closer to the original Elijah would give the middle syllable a long I sound -- eh-LYE-ah.
      • Ellia

        • Origin:

          Elaboration of Ella

        • Description:

          Ellia is one of the newer entries in the extremely popular El group of names for girls, which includes Ella, Ellie, Elle and so on, as well as L-starting names such as Lillia. Nearly 100 baby girls were named Ellia last year, but we're afraid that the name will not sound as distinctive as it should due to so many other girls with similar names.
      • Elsa

        • Origin:

          German diminutive of Elisabeth

        • Meaning:

          "pledged to God"

        • Description:

          Lost in limbo for decades and decades, Elsa now stands a good chance of following along in the progression from Emma to Ella to Etta, thanks to the ice queen heroine who "Let It Go" in the wildly popular Disney movie Frozen. The name shot all the up to Number 286 (its highest ranking since the 1890s) in the year after the release of the movie, though it's now dropped back down the list in the US.
      • Elva

        • Origin:

          Icelandic and Danish form of Alf, anglicized form of Ailbhe, Irish

        • Meaning:

          "bright, light, white; elf"

        • Description:

          Elva is a multicultural choice, being both an anglicization of the Irish Ailbhe and an feminine form of the name Alf, meaning "elf". Popular in the US at the beginning of the 20th century, it remaining in the charts until the '70s, but it has not been given since. The alternative form Alva has faired slightly better, while in Ireland, Ailbhe remains the preferred spelling. Nevertheless, Elva combines the sounds of Elsa, Ella, Eva, and Ever and may also appeal to those expecting a baby at Christmas.
      • Elza

        • Origin:

          Hebrew

        • Meaning:

          "God is my joy"

        • Description:

          Intriguing twist on several familiar names, though many people will mistake this for Elsa, Eliza, and so on.
      • Embla

        • Origin:

          Norse

        • Meaning:

          "elm"

        • Description:

          In Norse mythology, Embla is the equivalent of the Bible's Eve. With a lovely nature meaning, and a soft but distinctive sound, Embla is one of the most popular girl names in Iceland.
      • Gaila

        • Description:

          Gaila is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may derive from the Hebrew name Gail or Gael, meaning "joy" or "rejoicing," or it could be connected to the Gaelic cultural heritage. The name can also be viewed as a variant of Gayla, which comes from Greek roots meaning "festive" or "joyful." Gaila has remained consistently uncommon throughout recorded naming history in the United States, never breaking into the top 1000 names. This rarity gives it a distinctive quality that appeals to parents seeking an uncommon yet melodic and feminine-sounding name. With its soft sounds and positive connotations of happiness and celebration, Gaila offers a gentle yet spirited option that carries pleasant meanings across several cultural traditions.

      • Helga

        • Origin:

          Scandinavian

        • Meaning:

          "holy, blessed"

        • Description:

          A traditional Nordic name, Helga was extremely popular throughout Scandinavia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In Germany, it was a Top 10 pick from 1924 to 1943. And it still ranks in the Icelandic Top 50 today.
      • Hella

        • Description:

          Hella is a feminine name with multiple origins. In Germanic languages, it functions as a diminutive of names containing the element 'heil' meaning 'healthy' or 'whole.' It's also associated with Hel, the Norse goddess who ruled the underworld. In modern times, the name gained additional recognition from its use as slang in Northern California meaning 'very' or 'extremely.' Hella has a bright, punchy sound that feels simultaneously vintage and contemporary. Though not widely used in English-speaking countries, it enjoys moderate popularity in Scandinavian and German-speaking regions, where its brevity and distinctive sound are appealing qualities for parents seeking something simple yet distinctive.