She’s a compound name that could sound just right on a 21st century playground.

Thanks to Sarah for suggesting the poetic Belphoebe as Baby Name of the Day.

Laura Wattenberg recently dubbed the rise of -belle and -bella names the New Belle Epoque.

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What do you think?

9 Comments

  1. I pronounce Belphoebe Bell-fee-bee. The name does look pretty on paper. I wouldn’t use it myself, but it would make a great middle name for a short, simple first (Jane Belphoebe, Iris Belphoebe). With the nicknames Belle, Bella, and Phoebe, I think it’s usable enough.

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  2. I REALLY like the looks of this name, but I’m a bit unsure of its pronunciation myself. Is it Bell-fuh-bee or Bell-fee-bee? I prefer the first, myself… it might just have to go down in my stash of girls’ names!

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  3. Doesn’t seem like a single name. Out loud it seems like a double name, Belle Phoebe. I think it seems weird because the two accented syllables are together. Contrast Belphoebe with names such as Isobel and Gabrielle, which have strong syllables separated by a weak one.

    OR…is it pronounced bell-FEE-bee, such as bree-AH-nuh or uh-MAN-duh (Briana and Amanda)?

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  4. Belphoebe used to be high on my list. I have found others I like better for my future children, but she is still a gorgeous option for someone else.

    BTW: Briana is also an Edmund Spencer invention.

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  5. In theory it’s fine, but somehow it just seems clunky to me. It’s just a ‘no thanks’ for me.

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  6. I find it to be a really beautiful, literary name. On paper it is THE perfect girl name for me but I don’t know if I’d be able to ever use it up front. Mostly because I love how it’s said slowly but I think it would end up getting slaughtered or just turn into Bel (I’ve never been a fan despite adoring names like Lillibel, Annabel, Isobel…).

    Thank you so much for making Belpheobe your BNOTD. You are seriously the greatest.

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  7. It has the same vibe as Elsbeth to me. While it is an interesting choice, it’s not one for me. It also reminds me of the name Bethsaida. A few months ago at the vet I came across a woman named Bethsaida. I think Phoebe Diane is interesting & humorous.

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