Before I was even pregnant, I had already started writing down baby names. It was something I enjoyed, imagining the possibilities and the beautiful meanings behind each one. If I had a daughter, I knew I wanted her name to be special, something that resonated with me and felt right. I had a list filled with names, and interestingly, most of them contained either Isabelle or Isabella. There was something about those names that just drew me in, though I couldn’t quite explain it at first.
When I was younger, I used to find it funny when people named their children Isabella. To me, it was simply the name of a place in the Philippines, and I never really thought of it as a name for a person. But as I got older, my perspective changed. Watching the Twilight series, I was introduced to Bella, whose full name was Isabella Marie Swan. Something about that name clicked for me. It felt elegant, timeless, and carried a soft, graceful charm. That was when I started seriously considering it for my future daughter.
I also thought about the possible nicknames—Belle or Bella. Both had lovely meanings that seemed to reflect the kind of person I hoped she would become. Belle, meaning beautiful, carried a classic appeal, while Bella had a warmth to it that felt affectionate and familiar. I pictured her as someone strong yet gentle, intelligent yet kind, someone whose name would reflect her essence perfectly.
When I was pregnant, but didn’t know her gender yet, I got sick and often found myself calling her Little Belle. I would tell her to stay strong inside Mommy’s womb. It felt as if I already knew she was a girl, even though we hadn’t found out yet. It was an instinctive feeling that made me feel connected to her in a way that words couldn’t explain.
When the time came to finally name her, it felt right to include three names, each carrying a special significance. Her second name was taken from her great-grandmother, a woman who had been eagerly awaiting her arrival but, sadly, passed away before she could meet her. In a way, we sometimes like to believe that she was reborn in our little girl. It is a comforting thought, the idea that their spirits are connected in some way. Her third name came from my husband’s second name, a way to honor his identity and family legacy.
Choosing her name was more than just picking words that sounded nice together. It was about meaning, connection, and a feeling that this was who she was meant to be. Now, every time I call her name, I am reminded of the journey that led to her, the love and thought that went into choosing those words, and how she has grown into a person who truly embodies the beauty and significance of Isabella. Her name is not just a name—it is a story, a memory, and a promise of the incredible person she is becoming.
How about you? What special memories or stories do you have behind the names of your loved ones?
