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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Arguments about Italian baby boy name

91 replies

yarrow89 · 01/10/2020 09:44

I'm English and my partner Italian. We're keeping the Italian surname, and my OH wants to have an Italian first name to match. These are his criteria:

2 syllables, potentially 3 if it's not too obvious
Max 6 letters
Italian and not 'old fashioned sounding'
That he doesn't know anyone with that name
That there's no one famous with that name
That it works in both English and Italian

..... So that leaves like 3 names in the world, all of which he's vetoed. The only name he likes is Luca and my best friend (whose husband is Spanish) has decided to name her baby, due 2 weeks before mine, Lucas. My friend said she would probably change the name if we named it the same and I know she would be upset, so I really don't want to call it that. My alternative names Alessio, Rocco, Elio, Leo and Matteo have all been vetoed. What the hell do I do, he hates everything but doesn't come up with alternatives. We're arguing about it and it's getting me down.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

movingonup20 · 01/10/2020 12:16

I like nico, or Antonio. Why six letters?

markzuckerbergsgreytshirt · 01/10/2020 12:16

Sounds like your partner wants it all how way then?

Sorry OP it's your baby too and you have a say in this. Stop trying in vain to find a name that hits his criteria, he's behaving appallingly. Like a big huffy man child. You're pregnant, you don't need this drama over names

Lightningrain · 01/10/2020 12:13

I really like Luca, Allesio and Elio.

I’m not sure what names are modern or old fashioned in Italy but I also like:

Cosimo
Ezio
Rafael
Cesare
Danilo
Lorenzo/Enzo
Massimo

Garcellesaidwhaaat · 01/10/2020 12:11

He seems very rigid. You're the one carrying and birthing this human is he not aware?

Compromise. Say you'll go with one of his chosen first names as long as the baby has your surname.

Luca is a lovely name but much like Arthur it seems to be everywhere atm making it a little less lovely maybe? The Lucas I know don't have Italian parents.

Enzo, Nico, Gian, Aldo, Franco, Dante, Faro

Girlzroolz · 01/10/2020 12:05

You’re just swallowing his list, accepting the surname be his, and allowing him to veto at will?

Time for you to assert yourself. He doesn’t get to play the dominant old-school Italian family-boss in 2020, especially since he seems to be cherry-picking the role. You want a submissive wifey? Better start by getting married then.

Your turn to slap some of your ‘naming rules’ onto the table, since that’s the game being played. Or just put your finger up in his face, waggle it meaningfully and shout ‘No!’ in your best Italian accent. Trust me, it’s powerful.The MN advice that ‘No’ is a complete sentence works even better in Italian.

(I’m Italian, by the way)

JustGetThroughTheDay · 01/10/2020 11:58

@ifiwasascent

God he's a fussy one! How about Nico?

First one that popped into my head too

Modestandatinybitsexy · 01/10/2020 11:57

Why the Italian name and surname? Do you get any say in the choices made for the baby you're carrying?

Sunnydaysstillhere · 01/10/2020 11:57

Rafael is an amazing name op... Raffy maybe?

FourPlasticRings · 01/10/2020 11:55

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

As you are unmarried, give the baby your surname.

Also this in spades.

daisypond · 01/10/2020 11:52

Dario
Giorgio
Stefano -but it’s 7 letters...

Cattenberg · 01/10/2020 11:49

What are your criteria OP?

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 01/10/2020 11:40

As you are unmarried, give the baby your surname.

GreyishDays · 01/10/2020 11:39

Don’t say anything else about it and let him work out that he needs to find/ok some names.

When are you due?

tara66 · 01/10/2020 11:37

Prima Donna? For husband, that is.

MikeUniformMike · 01/10/2020 11:37

English and my partner Italian. We're keeping the Italian surname
Sod that. The baby should have the mother's surname.

FourPlasticRings · 01/10/2020 11:34

Do what I did, OP. Give him a length of time: say until 34 weeks gestation- to come up with a shortlist of names that he finds acceptable for you to pick from. Give him a target of 50. If he can't do it or there are none you like, say you're sorry, but there has to be a tie-break and it's going to be you because it's your uterus at the end of the day. A six-letter rule is ridiculous.

Puffalicious · 01/10/2020 11:32

I have a fabulous Scottish/ italian friend called Armando. That appeal?

Shayisgreat · 01/10/2020 11:31

@redbuttons 😂😂 that typo was great!

OP, I think he shouldn't have the power of veto if he won't make any suggestions. You choose a name you like and he can just like it or say what he wants instead.

turnitonagain · 01/10/2020 11:31

I know soooo many little boys named Luca including fully British families.

I’d go for Nicola nickname Nico or just Nico.

WhatWouldJKRDo · 01/10/2020 11:29

Cesare is my favourite because it’s fun to say as it rolls off the tongue (chezz ah ray) but I’m odd like that.

Luca and Lucas are different enough to be fine. But essentially, you’re the one pushing a bowling ball out of your nethers so your DH should get a sense of perspective and go with what you choose now he’s expressed his parameters.

mogtheexcellent · 01/10/2020 11:23

Should be a joint decision. If you are not married you can name the baby what you like. I would suggest his choice for middle name and a good first name that works in both languages and cultures.

Good choice of OH btw. he sounds like a prick.

Danidella · 01/10/2020 11:22

Random italian boys names i can think of are Tony/Antonio, Lorenzo, Luigi, Mario, Donato, Dominic, Felice and Orlando

TheSeedsOfADream · 01/10/2020 11:22

Luca and Lucas are two different names as Luca is Italian for Luke.
It's also about the most common name for Italian babies at the moment so he probably won't like that either! And if he says he knows nobody called Luca he's either a) not Italian b) lying.
Of the names YOU like: none are old fashioned except for Leo (which would be short for Leonardo- so won't pass his 6 letter rule)
A lot of the names suggested upthread are nicknames for fairly old fashioned (yet classical) names (Gianni-Giovanni- generally only used these days in honour of Grandad etc, Nico- Nicola, fairly regional- southern Italy, where St Nicola is revered or Domenico) Nino-Gaetano (named after Grandad for sure)
What has he suggested thus far?

IvySpivey · 01/10/2020 11:21

He sounds delightful.

Give the baby a first name of any origin and let him pick a middle name.

8catsisnotunreasonable · 01/10/2020 11:20

Alessandro?

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