Charlie62

I had wondered if it was a nick name, but did not know that 'Bela' meant trouble in Turkish. I would like to think that it might be a name for her if she was a bit of a troublemaker (in a fun way)! Thanks for that suggestion and for your help with my question.

Thank you both for your fast responses. It was her personal name and I agree it does sound Italian, but I am 99% sure she wasn't Italian. I know my grandfather spoke Greek and Armenian as his first languages, but unfortunately he died when my mother was small so I never had the chance to meet him. I guess it will remain a mystery!

I wonder if anyone can help me? I've been looking into my family history and I know that my great-grandmother came from Constantinople (as it then was) and I always believed that she was Armenian. However I've just found out that her first name was Bellassi. This doesn't sound like an Armenian name and I can't find any reference to its origins. Has anyone ever heard the name? I don't know her maiden name and my great-grandfather was a Greek, also from Constantinople, so the surname is no help. I'd be very grateful if anyone has any suggestions.