Since Twilight was released 2 years ago, Bella has shot up in popularity, as have various other names that appear in the books. It’s a nuisance for those who’ve always wanted their children to be named Bella and/or Edward, so the question now is, what names can you use instead?
Bella. This is a cutesy name, that originally is a nickname.
– Brielle. Originally a nickname of Gabriella, this name had a similar conception to Bella.
– Brooke. Considered sometimes to be a nickname of Brooklyn, it’s also the name of a body of water, whic suits the current trend in nature names.
– Bridie. Uncommon Irish name, that holds the ‘cutesy’ factor, without going overboard.
– Bronte. BRON-tay. Surname of three well known English authors – Charlotte, Anne and Emily Bronte. Not as cutesy as the previous names, but it’s short and sweet like Bella.
– Beth. Sometimes used as a nickname (like Bella) for Bethan or Bethany, but also a name in its own right, like Bella.
– Briony. Common in fantasy novels, not so much in real life.
– Beryl. From the word for a clear or pale green precious stone, this name oozes the potential for a comeback.
– Beulah. Even though it’s still associated with old ladies, this name is likely to bounce back in popularity in a few years.
– Bianca. An Italian name meaning white; Bianca will age well.
– Billie. This name is full of the cutesy factor, which is balanced out somewhat by the fact that it is traditionally a male name. Billie seems to becoming the female spelling, Billy the male.
– Blair. An up and coming name in popularity. It is a common scottish surname.
Edward. Strong name that heralds from Old English.
– Edmund. Not just an alternative spelling of Edward, this name is a name in its own right, with a rich history. It comes from Old English and means ‘rich protector’. It is borne by two saints.
– George. A name connected with legend. St. George is the patron saint of England, and is a popular first name there. It’s orgins are actually Greek though, and St. George was from Palestine.
– William. A name popular in England since 1066.
– Henry. 8 Kings of England have been named Henry. It has ye olde England charm, without seeming overally pretentious.
– Frederick. Once a popular name, it’s still a strong classic. The nickname Fred is popular, but you can also get Ed/Eddie from this name, if it’s the nickname of Edward that you like.
– Ernest/ Earnest. A bold choice nowadays.
– Edgar. Name of poet Edgar Allen Poe, it’s popular amongst Latino families. It’s lack of popularity is mostly due to people preferring to use either Edward or Edmund.
– Ebrahim. This spelling is a variant of Ibrahim, the Arabic version of Abraham.
– Eric. This name peaked in the US several years ago, and has been falling ever since. Very popular in Scandinavia.
Mer de Noms 