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Baby names

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

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

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miffybun73 · 23/09/2013 20:53

Love it. I'm English and it sounds very masculine to me :)

Much nicer than Luke.

onedev · 23/09/2013 20:47

Luca is a fab name Grin

NoMoreMadCatLady · 23/09/2013 20:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsDibble · 23/09/2013 20:35

I like it too.

I think a lot of English people do know the name Luca, and know that it is a boys name.

scarlettsmummy2 · 23/09/2013 19:36

I don't really like it. Much prefer James.

Arriettyborrower · 23/09/2013 19:32

My ds is called exactly what you would like to call yours, it's a great name! There is a bit of story behind his name as it reflects both men who were at his birth, we are both English, not a hint of Italian in us.
My mum and granny were very, very rude about his name initially but love it now.
Go with what you want.

pinkmagic1 · 23/09/2013 19:30

I like it. Used to go out with a lovely and rather dishy Italian student many years ago called Luca so I will always have a soft spot for the name!

Onesleeptillwembley · 23/09/2013 19:30

It's a lovely name. Really nice. My only problem is it reminds me of that fucking awful song.

mamaduckbone · 23/09/2013 19:27

When I read your thread title my reaction was 'lovely name if you're Italian, a bit daft if not' so since you are Italian, then I think it's lovely! (and not at all feminine) Much nicer than Liam.

IslaValargeone · 23/09/2013 19:26

Another one loving it.

rocketeer · 23/09/2013 19:24

I have a Luca! And he is lovely! I have always been met with positive comments about his name. We know a Luka but I preferred the spelling of ours. And we aren't Italian, our other two boys have Irish and English names!

Purplehonesty · 23/09/2013 19:20

Ooh it's lovely! Go for it

IShallCallYouSquishy · 23/09/2013 19:18

My friend has a Luca. He's a lovely little boy and I love his name. Hearing the name Luca reminds me of him.

treaclesoda · 23/09/2013 19:16

Bruffin I always knew it was a song about abuse but I had thought it was about a young girl being abused by her boyfriend. Probably just assumed because it was sung by a female. Just proves you should never assume Blush

I still think Luca is lovely OP!

Journey · 23/09/2013 18:44

I don't like it. It sounds like an unfinished name to me because it ends very abruptly.

I also think it sounds like you're saying "a looker" which is okay if the boy is good looking but a bit unfortunate if he isn't.

whatagreatname · 23/09/2013 18:04

I really like it and DS was in a class with a Luca whose father is Italian and so he had an Italian surname.

MIL has a dog called Luca!

Original poster
viola28 · 23/09/2013 18:01

...what's "PFB"?

OP posts:
NoComet · 23/09/2013 17:59

I knew an italian lady who's PFB is Luca, it's lovely (he will be 12).

Original poster
viola28 · 23/09/2013 17:54

No, it's not the only one. Italian male names ending in -a are very few, all related to religion or the Bible, but interestingly, they are among the most popular names (all ranked among the first TEN most popular names in Italy), they are:
ANDREA (stress on the -E-, third most popular name in Italy)
MATTIA (fourth most popular name)
LUCA (tenth most popular name)

Then there are others, very popular, but mostly in the South, such as NICOLA (stress on the -O-) and ELIA (stress on the -I-).
Finally, there are some very rare ones, such as GEREMIA and ISAIA.

Also, I've just listened to the song you all mentioned, Luka, by Suzanne Vega, it's a lovely (sad) song, and it's definitely about a boy.

OP posts:
Ham69 · 23/09/2013 17:45

I love it because my German friend has the most adorable and sweet natured 2 year old boy with that name.

googlyeyes · 23/09/2013 17:39

There are loads and loads of Lucas around here, I'd put it in the same category as Oscar, a name that suddenly became very trendy.

I have to admit I do find it very odd when children without any Italian heritage have the name. But it's a fab name for those that do.

Is it the only male Italian name that ends in 'a'? Actually I just remembered Nicola can be a man's name in Italy but can't think of any others. Interesting anomaly!

nicename · 23/09/2013 17:08

Nah, go for Luca. Your MiL is being daft.

Original poster
viola28 · 23/09/2013 16:56

thank you so much for all your opinions, i am getting a better understanding now and lots of reassurance. Thanks!
Yes, Luca is an extremely popular name in Italy (like James, or Jacob), that's why I never thought of it as a female name!
My MIL says to think about an English name too, that doesn't end in a vowel: I like Liam very much (very easy to pronounce for Italians), but Luca is just where my heart lies...

OP posts:
evalluna · 23/09/2013 16:46

I think Luca is a lovely name if you are italian, which you are! Really does not work on children with no italian heritage at all though - I find this a little bizarre and there are a few around at the moment.

I would definitely see as a boys name though!

silverangel · 23/09/2013 16:44

I like it - there's two in my street though - toddler age and not Italian...

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