Sure, Twilight is a big deal.

But can we really credit Stephenie Meyer’s paranormal romance series with the rise of Isabella?

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What do you think?

10 Comments

  1. 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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  3. 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.

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  4. 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.

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  5. 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.

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  6. 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.

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  7. 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.

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