Sure, Twilight is a big deal.
But can we really credit Stephenie Meyer’s paranormal romance series with the rise of Isabella? An article in Australia’s Herald-Sun attributes Isabella’s increasing popularity down under to the series. Turns out the paper was just parroting the results reported by BabyCentre Australia.
I don’t buy it.
Don’t get me wrong. I think Twilight names will rise. The four books in the series were all New York Times bestsellers, and the movies have done well at the box office.
And yet, attributing Isabella’s popularity to the series doesn’t seem right.
Isabella was already a Top Ten name when Twilight was published in 2005. In the US, Isabella charted at #6 in ’05, up one spot from #7 in ’04. As of 2007, she’d risen to #2 and stayed there in 2008 – the year the movie was released.
The character is almost exclusively referred to as Bella in the books. In 2005, Bella stood at #208 in the US. By 2008, she’d risen to #122. There might be a smidge of Twilight-effect at work there, but Bella probably would’ve gained anyhow. Related names – think Top 50 choices Ella and Gabriella – have been on the upswing in recent years.
While plenty of expectant moms – and probably a few dads – have certainly read Twilight, Meyer’s core audience is probably some years away from any real baby-naming. Which reminds me, BabyCentre’s Top Name lists only reflect data reported to BabyCentre – not official government stats.
If we look back to the 1990s, we can watch Isabella’s rediscovery. In 1990, she re-entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in more than four decades at #895. In 1992, Tom Cruise and Australia’s Nicole Kidman bestowed the name on their daughter and the name jumped to #488. Plenty of celebs followed suit. Matt Damon used the name in 2006.
Lastly, from JLo to Dora, choices with Latin flair have been embraced by plenty of parents – not just those with Spanish roots.
What I’m watching isn’t the rise of Isabella, but the trends for Edward. He fell to an all-time low of #148 as of 2008. But he could be due for a reversal. Could a dashing vampire help Edward shed the Eddie Munster image and reclaim his regal vibe?
So far – at least in the US – it isn’t happening. But something tells me that parents who love the classics, but worry that William and James are too common might just rediscover Edward.
I love Edward, but honestly, the vampire does nothing for me. I like my bloodsuckers a bit more… violent.
Edward’s a family name for me. And as such, one of the few classics I could bring myself to use if I could.
I love Edward. So strong & regal, as well as a family name for me. One of the few true classics I could bring myself to use if I could. George is the only other classic I love enough to want to use.
But the vampire does nothing for me, I like my bloodsuckers a bit more… violent.
Now Isabella, augh! She was everywhere I turned in NJ just before I moved up here. Before Twighlight! Newly pregnant, hearing it everywhere, I just knew I wouldn’t be adding to the crowd. Plus, Isabella’s to frilly for my tastes. Isabel or the Scots Isobel appeal much more. Not that I’d use those either, except maybe as a middle. As for Bella, Arabella has long been my favorite way to get to Bella. But again, Bella’s far too prevalent, wherever I go. If I had an Arabella, she’d simply be Arabella in full. Isabella/Bella: pretty but far too popular for my comfort.
If Edward rises again, I think I’d attribute that to “Twilight”. But just that.
I agree, I don’t understand why many name sites are attributing its popularity to Twilight, its was in the top 10 long before the books were a hit. The other names I can see rising, like Esme, Rosalie and Alice. But Isabella is not popular because of Twilight, I would say that it was Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman who kindled the trend back in the 90s.
Hmmm, I submit that Stephenie Meyer, following the usual upward-swing of names growing in popularity, chose a name for her character that she might otherwise have bestowed on a daughter. In other words, she was influenced by the rising popularity of the name, not vice versa.
Charlotte, I think that’s exactly it. In fact, I’m not sure if any of the vampires’ names are particularly appropriate for their eras. But most of them would sound just right at home on a modern playground.
And while we’re on the subject, I think Miley owes just as much to rise of Riley and associated names like Kylie, Skylar, Tyler and Maya, as she does to Miss Cyrus.
I agree about Miley
I completely agree with Sebastiane
The name was already in the top 10.Just like Ella and Gabriella have been rising-, so does Isabella fall in the same category. The names all have the -ella sound.So, I think the names are linked
Miss Meyer used names that are all family names or that she would have liked to of use
Honestly, who cares if it was the name of a girl in the book – I don’t see people saying you are copying Harry Potter for using Harry or James? Use what you love. There are all sorts of positve and negative links and connotations to all names. A lot depends on where you live
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