Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Belle
GirlFrench· “beautiful”
- Meaning
- beautiful
- Origin
- French
- Pronunciation
- BEHL
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,013
- US babies 2025
- 247
- Best rank
- #90 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1915
Meaning and origin of Belle
Belle is a French name that means “beautiful”.
Belle is the French word for "beautiful," used as a name in English since the nineteenth century, often as a short form of Isabel or Annabelle. It gained lasting fame through Beauty and the Beast, the French fairy tale whose heroine is named Belle in Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont's eighteenth-century version, later adapted by Disney. The phrase "belle of the ball" adds a charming, social association. Belle feels sweet, romantic, and vintage, working well as a full name or a middle name.
Other spellings with the same sound: Bell.
Popularity over time
Belle has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 61 different years. Its best national rank was #90 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1915, when 407 were named Belle. In 2025, 247 babies were named Belle, and it ranked #1,013 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #436 in 1920, #1,476 in 1950, #5,945 in 1980, #2,159 in 2000, #1,457 in 2010, and #1,013 in 2025. Of the 19,227 US girls named Belle since records began, 15% were born in the 1910s, its biggest decade. The 1880s come next, with 2,648 babies. Since 2010, 3,927 more have been named Belle.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Lessie, Augusta, Erna, Wilhelmina, and Tillie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Belle ranked highest in Utah, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | #618 | 6 |
| Minnesota | #671 | 7 |
| Pennsylvania | #690 | 14 |
| Wisconsin | #716 | 6 |
| Washington | #747 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Belle is usually pronounced BEHL, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with B and ends in “-le”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Bell.
Middle names for Belle
A few middle names that flow with Belle: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Belle
Similar names
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EHL
“she; short form of Eleanor or Ellen” · French
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loo-SEEL
“light” · French
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AN
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uh-DEHL
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Joelle Girl
joh-EHL
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eh-STEHL
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Gisselle Girl
jih-ZEHL
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MAIR-ee-uhn
“uncertain; medieval form of Mary” · English
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Jules Unisex
JOOLZ
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Gizelle Girl
jih-ZEHL
“pledge” · French
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Rachelle Girl
ruh-SHEHL
“variant of Rachel, 'ewe'” · French
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Adelle Girl
uh-DEHL
“variant of Adele, noble” · French
#4,760
Lists that include Belle
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Belle mean?
Belle is a French name that means “beautiful”.
What is the origin of the name Belle?
Belle has French roots. Belle is the French word for "beautiful," used as a name in English since the nineteenth century, often as a short form of Isabel or Annabelle.
Is Belle a popular name?
Not especially. Belle ranked #1,013 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Belle a boy or girl name?
Belle is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Belle?
Belle is usually pronounced BEHL. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings