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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

Honest opinion on name Luca

66 replies

viola28 · 23/09/2013 15:34

I love the name Luca for our baby boy. I'm Italian and my husband is English and we live in the UK. We've got a few months left to decide.

What do you honestly think about this name? My mother-in-law says that because it ends with an -a it sounds like a girl's name, and yet in Italy it is the most masculine name I can think of!

I am not English so I don't have a clue what the name "luca" might sound to an English ear. I find it adorable, but i wouldn't want to ruin my child's life just because i really like that name.

His middle name will be James, after my husband.

Honest opinions please, I won't be offended. Thanks

OP posts:

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shoobidoo · 02/12/2014 07:08

I don't like it - sounds like Luke-Ah and looks feminine.

SurfsUp1 · 02/12/2014 06:41

The song is sung by a woman and in the first person, but the character of Luca in the film clip is a boy.

I know a little Luca and I think it's a lovely name for a boy!

TurquoiseDress · 01/12/2014 21:37

One of my close friends has a gorgeous little boy called Luca.

She has no Italian links but I don't see a problem with that.

I really don't understand how people can say 'oh it's lovely IF you've got Italian roots, if not hmmm...'

As if you need the relevant background to be 'allowed' to use a name.

I adore this name!
Hope the OP went for Luca James in the end!

Belazu84 · 01/12/2014 20:15

I know the most gorgeous little Luca. He is totally English, and very blonde, and it works on him... But so much the better if you're Italian! Go for it.

Trooperslane · 01/12/2014 17:09

Love love love

Threeplus1 · 01/12/2014 17:04

I've been considering it for dc4 if it's a boy, though the Italian heritage is very small... MIL is half Italian

Kellygatt · 01/12/2014 16:58

Love the name Luca! Thinking Luca Michael for my boy

Original poster

viola28 · 08/10/2013 11:25

thanks wetgrass and oriunda, you're both right!

OP posts:

ladymia · 05/10/2013 13:32

I like it!

Oriunda · 05/10/2013 13:12

My DH is Italian and I'm English. Our son has an Italian first name (but also used in the UK), an English second name (family name) and an Italian third name.

I wouldn't let your MIL anglicise Luca, would get confusing and it's silly because Luca is a) a lovely name that works well in both languages/countries and b) reflects your heritage and would be disrespectful to you to change it to Luke just to pander to her stupidity.

Luca is lovely. It won't ruin your child's life!

WetGrass · 05/10/2013 10:31

It sounds like the problem is entirely located in your MIL.

How close are you?

why don't you just suggest that - as an Italian - you prefer the Italian version Luca - but you'd be quite happy for her to anglicize it for her purposes into Luke/Lucas.

(My kids go by at least 4 names each - DH's nationality variant, my nationality variant, my nationality variant nickname and silly family nickname). I don't think it's particularly objectionable when it's all riffs on the same name.

WhispersOfWickedness · 05/10/2013 10:25

I love it An Italian friend has one
It also reminds me of the hot doctor in ER

Chubfuddler · 05/10/2013 10:13

I really like it but cannot get past that really sad Suzanne Vegas song.

chicaguapa · 05/10/2013 10:10

Luca is lovely. I really wanted a Luca.

neenienana · 05/10/2013 10:08

I have a luca, we are not Italian. Never heard anyone say its silly just cos we are not Italian. I came across it in Croatia years ago and loved it then. I also love James too.

JustBecauseICan · 25/09/2013 09:36

Typical, I just rewrite songs, me!

GrandstandingBlueTit · 25/09/2013 09:28

JustBecauseICan - you have! The lyrics are sung in the first person, 'my name is Luka. I live on the 2nd floor'.

Original poster

viola28 · 25/09/2013 09:24

Thank you everybody, I understand much more now, and I'm going with Luca James for my little boy. Thanks for clearing my doubts

OP posts:

NooMyx · 24/09/2013 20:58

I know a little Luka (his parents are not British) and he's gorgeous, so the name sounds lovely to me as well.
I really can't see any gender confusion over that name myself.

mathanxiety · 24/09/2013 20:52

I like it and it would be a lovely way to honour your Italian heritage.

It's very popular - I don't think your MIL associates much with small children or she would know a few.

amandine07 · 24/09/2013 20:43

I love this name!

I think it can be spelt Lucas too? Or is that the French way?
Maybe with an S at the end people in the uk would pronounce it Lu-cas.

KateCroydon · 24/09/2013 13:08

It was something like the 50th most popular name in the UK last year.

nicename · 24/09/2013 06:43

I love Lucia for a girl too. Maybe it'll be twins...!

Arudonto · 23/09/2013 22:20

I love Luca ....I blame my love of it on the character of the hot doctor Luca Kovac (spelling?) from E.R
:D

Most definitely a manly name :)

LynetteScavo · 23/09/2013 20:53

Luca James

You have excellent taste in names.

Luca is no way a girls name!

Was on my (long) boys names list.

Does your MIL also think Oscar, Elijah, Jonah, Noah, are all girls names?

I never got that Suzanne Vega song

Let MIl shorten it to Luke, if she must.

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