Belle

Belle comes from the French and Italian belle/bella, meaning "beautiful," derived from the Latin bellus, meaning "fair" or "lovely." As a standalone name, Belle has a delicate elegance that requires no explanation — the meaning is right there, worn gracefully. It has been used across Romance-language cultures for centuries, always carrying the same uncomplicated meaning of beauty.

Belle ranks #153 among America's most popular pet names, close cousin to the enormously popular Bella, but with a slightly more refined, fairytale quality. The Disney princess Belle from Beauty and the Beast — the bookish, adventurous, kind-hearted heroine — gave this name a literary intelligence that elevates it beyond pure vanity. A companion named Belle is beautiful, yes, but there is an implication of character behind the beauty. It suits companions with both a lovely appearance and a personality worth discovering.