belle

Belle is a feminine given name of French origin, derived from the adjective belle meaning “beautiful.” In English usage, Belle appears as a standalone name and is sometimes considered a diminutive or nickname for longer names such as Isabelle or Isabella.

Historically, belle has also been used as a common noun in English to describe a socially prominent or admired woman, as in the phrase “the belle of the ball.”

In popular culture, Belle is best known as the heroine of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the 1991 animated film that has been adapted into various media and a 2017 live-action remake. The character is depicted as a bookish young woman who seeks to see beyond appearances. The name has since become closely associated with that character in contemporary culture.

A separate film titled Belle (2013) is a British historical drama directed by Amma Asante. It tells the life of Dido Elizabeth Belle, an 18th-century mixed-race woman raised in aristocratic Britain, highlighting themes of race, class, and family.

Geography and other uses: There are several places named Belle, including communities and towns in the United States and elsewhere. The term is also encountered in historical and literary contexts to denote beauty or a fashionable woman.