So, since settling on [name_f]Belle[/name_f] as THE name and with only 4 weeks to go, two friends (who I haven’t discussed baby names with) have decided to use the name [name_f]Belle[/name_f]- one as a middle name, the other as a first name, but as a nickname for [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f]. This is annoying. Up until then I had never actually met a real-life person called [name_f]Belle[/name_f], and suddenly literally the next two baby girl’s born since I decided on it have been given the name (although I am aware of the popularity of names of [name_f]Belle[/name_f]/[name_f]Bella[/name_f] endings, so I know I shouldn’t be surprised!).
They are not exactly close friends, but I do see them at Mum’s groups quite often, we have the same circle of friends and it is a pretty small community. I’m now not sure what to do? As neither were actually called [name_f]Belle[/name_f] as a first name then I guess its not so bad (although now I’ve said that someone will!!) The road to choosing a name has been a long (but enjoyable) one and I think I have just about run out of new name finding energy… what would you do?? The baby having a popular name doesn’t really bother me as such, but I don’t want it to seem that I am copying.
If anyone can think of any names that are similar in style (short, strong, kind of quirky, not ending in an A) then please feel free to list them. Others on my list (which we have had to reject for one reason or another, but that I love are [name_f]Anais[/name_f], [name_f]Anouk[/name_f], [name_f]Iris[/name_f]). Middle name will be [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f], which is a family name.
If you really don’t mind your baby having a popular name, keep [name_f]Belle[/name_f]. Very few people will think you copied, nor would many people care if they did think that. Bottom line, if you love it, don’t give it up. (That being said, the idea of anyone else at my daughter’s school having her name, let alone someone amongst our circle, drives me crazy! So this advice is for someone unlike me:)
[name_f]Belle[/name_f] [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] is very pretty, I say name her what you love and what feels right! Some ideas for you though…
[name_f]Nell[/name_f] ([name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], [name_f]Helen[/name_f], [name_f]Leonore[/name_f])
[name_f]Esme[/name_f]
[name_f]Phoebe[/name_f]
[name_f]Fleur[/name_f]
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f]
[name_f]Daphne[/name_f]
[name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_f]Avalon[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsy[/name_f]
[name_f]Hazel[/name_f]
[name_f]Clio[/name_f]
[name_f]Wendy[/name_f]
And even if it ends in an a… [name_f]Annika[/name_f] 
good luck!
[name_f]Belle[/name_f] is very pretty. I don’t think it’s honestly that big of a deal - I can totally understand it bothering you, but what I mean is that I think in the long run it won’t matter so much. Your [name_f]Belle[/name_f] might meet a lot of other girls with her name, but she’ll always be individual, so why does it matter? Popular doesn’t always mean bad, imo. I actually love [name_f]Belle[/name_f] but I prefer it spelled [name_f]Bel[/name_f], as it’s fun and takes the extra-frills away. Perhaps you could consider spelling it differently just to offset the similarity a tiny bit?
Suggestions for other similar names:
[name_f]Ellie[/name_f]/[name_f]Elle[/name_f]
[name_f]Maisie[/name_f]
[name_f]Evie[/name_f]/[name_f]Eve[/name_f] (I looove [name_f]Evie[/name_f] so much!)
[name_f]Posy[/name_f]/[name_f]Posey[/name_f]
[name_f]Poppy[/name_f]
[name_f]Jolie[/name_f]
[name_f]Greer[/name_f]
[name_u]Kit[/name_u]
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f]
[name_f]Petra[/name_f]
[name_f]Ninon[/name_f]
[name_f]Tess[/name_f]
[name_u]Caro[/name_u]
[name_f]Coco[/name_f]
[name_f]Edie[/name_f]
[name_f]Flossie[/name_f]
[name_f]Flora[/name_f]/[name_f]Fleur[/name_f]
[name_f]Snow[/name_f]
[name_u]Arya[/name_u]
[name_f]Kitty[/name_f]
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f]/[name_f]Lydie[/name_f]
[name_f]Sylvie[/name_f]
[name_f]Lux[/name_f]
[name_f]Mamie[/name_f]
[name_f]Sukie[/name_f]/[name_f]Suki[/name_f]
[name_f]Tansy[/name_f]
[name_f]Tillie[/name_f]/[name_f]Millie[/name_f]
[name_f]Opal[/name_f]
[name_f]Cora[/name_f]/[name_f]Coral[/name_f]
[name_f]Ivy[/name_f]
[name_u]Wren[/name_u]
[name_f]Lark[/name_f]
[name_f]Starling[/name_f]
[name_u]Drew[/name_u]/[name_u]Dru[/name_u] (possibly as nn for [name_f]Drusilla[/name_f]?)
[name_f]May[/name_f]/[name_f]Mae[/name_f]
[name_u]Rue[/name_u]
[name_f]Oona[/name_f]/[name_f]Una[/name_f]
[name_f]Cleo[/name_f]/[name_f]Clio[/name_f]
[name_f]Chloe[/name_f]
[name_f]Vera[/name_f]
[name_u]Rocio[/name_u]
I can understand where you are coming from, but just don’t fret, [name_f]Belle[/name_f] alone is still not that common. And like you said, it’s only the NN and MN of your acquaintances’ children. Haha, I think you’re safe. I’d be more irked if it was a close friend, proper first name, and or they already knew you were set on that name. But I think once you get outside of your family and close friend circle, there is really no reason to be upset because they don’t have to honor the “name respect” rule that a best friend or sibling would if you claimed a name before them. Especially if you haven’t discussed it with them at all. [name_f]Belle[/name_f] is cute, I’d stick with it!
[name_f]May[/name_f] I suggest:
[name_f]Belle[/name_f] [name_f]Rosemarie[/name_f]
[name_f]Belle[/name_f] [name_f]Faye[/name_f]
[name_f]Belle[/name_f] [name_f]Bethany[/name_f]
My advice?
Use the name you love the most … regardless of who else is using it.
Short, strong, quirky suggestions: [name_f]Briar[/name_f], [name_f]Cleo[/name_f], [name_f]Esme[/name_f], [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f], [name_u]Rue[/name_u], [name_f]Zoe[/name_f].