Valentina / Constantina - I have a few questions

[Boobz]

Hello there. I'm hoping some of you might have the time to help me with a few questions pertaining to the name Valentina. Sorry if I go on a bit.

1. I really like the name Nina. Can I use Nina as a nickname for Valentina? Or is that too much of a stretch? (I don't like Val or Tina).
   
2. Does it go well with Penelope, my DD1's name?
   
3. I like the idea of having a long, pretty formal name and then having a nn. So Penelope is Pen or Penny most of the time, but I like having the option of using the long version, and think she will too when she grows up. Do you think I should just put Nina on the birth certificate since I will mostly be using this name, or do you agree that Valentina with nn Nina is the way to go?
   
4. I know the MN way of thinking is "if you're not exotic / foreign, then don't use a name which you can't have claim to"... and I sort of agree, but is Valentina so Italian / Spanish that I can't have it because I'm from London and not really that posh? Or is it widely enough used now to be able to be used by the Brits?
   
5. I was also thinking of Constantina, again so I can use the nn Nina (but if you think the answer to question 1 is "no", then I suppose this question is by-passed)... as I also like the nn Connie... which do you think is better (Constantina or Valentina)?
   
   P.S. We don't know the sex - just haven't got to boys names yet.
   P.P.S It's just a coincidence that it was Valentine's Day yesterday - had always been thinking of this name since I found out I was pregnant...

[yellowflowers]

both are lovely and nina as a nikname seems great for both. Nina is also a nice name by itself too. Ah, lovely names...

[Boobz]

Well Yellow, I think you have had the last word on it, so I shall be taking your advice - thank you!

[Bucharest]

Where is Constantina from?
I love the name Connie, but as a nn for Constance.
I know about 10 zillion Valentinas all of whom are nn'd Vale.
I do think it goes quite well with Penelope though, although I like Connie much more.

[ChippingIn]

TBH I wouldn't choose either - but Nina is a perfectly acceptable NN for either. Daily & for school etc I'd call her Nina and keep the full name on the birth certifcate for when she becomes a lawyer and needs a more fitting name

[Ziggurat]

Nina is definitely an acceptable nn for either.

[bruffin]

I have a cypriot Aunty Nina which is short for Katarina

[Bucharest]

Oh, meant to say, I love Nina as well. In fact Nina and Connie would be fab sibs.

[sleepyhead3]

Nina is fine as a nn. I love the name Valentina and Penelope too. To me, they are both a 'exotic' sounding but not ridiculously so.

[mathanxiety]

Valentina is Russian as well as Italian and Spanish. I think Nina would be fine as a nn. I prefer Constanza to Constantina (dislike Connie though), but if you use Constantina, I think Nina would be fine as a nn for that too. I like using a long name on the birth cert so a child has the option of using it as she grows older.

[nooka]

I don't think that Nina is a nn for either of your choices, but I do think it's a great name, and I generally like longer formal names with nice nns. The longer forms of Nina seem to be Antonina and Giannina, but I expect you could get away with either of your options. I think that Constantina might be a bit more difficult to carry off than Valentina - it sounds very Greek to me (which is fine if you are Greek obviously!)

[Boobz]

But Nooka - everyone else does! Don't go and spoil it!

Am leaning towards Valentina. I think Penelope and Valentina work well together - Penny and Nina!

Now to convince DH.

Any ideas what boy's name we should go for, to go with Penelope, and based on the little information on my kind of leanings from my above posts gives you?

Am thinking of Hector (but is it becoming to popular?)

[mathanxiety]

Penelope and Hector would be nicely Greek.

[Boobz]

Well then I shall have 3 babies: Penelope, Valentina (Nina) and Hector.

God I am not nearly posh enough though.