SQL Server tables return no rows when connected to DB name that begins with number

In Desktop 10.1, if you connect to a SQL Server database with a name that begins with a number (127CitiesData) no rows are retrieved when viewing tables or views. I have tried surrounding the database name with square brackets and double quotes but then the connection is unsuccessful. Is there a work around in the 10.1 connection dialog? The next step is to attempt creating an alias for the database name in SQL Server Config Manager. BTW - SQL Server docs strongly suggest that database names not start with numbers but for this situation it may not be possible to rename the production SQL Server DB.

Thanks in advance.

Dennis Geasan
GIS Technologies