Luigi Isaac?

My sister died a few years ago after an awful illness, it was devastating. I said I would name my first DD after her, a few years have passed now and I'm expecting my 1st and I wouldn't use that name. But I most likely have used her name if I had a baby within a year of her death the name will always be tied to her and I know that is what I would have regretted it. So I would suggest using your DHs brothers name as a middle name for that same reason.

Lots of lovely Italian names were posted above. I like Angelo

I wouldn't use Luigi, the connotations with the video games are just too strong. There's a new Mario film coming out this year as well, so it's going to be even more to the forefront of peoples' minds when he's born.

I would also strongly agree with the posters who say about giving the child his own first name. It can be difficult sharing a name with someone who passed shortly before you were born.

My husband's brother died young too, condolences to you both. I think honour names are best as middle names, as babies have the right to grow up to be their own people without comparison (I know my PIL wouldn't have been able to help themselves trying to see similarities, which isn't fair on a child, even if it is done positively, there is something weird about people giving too much in hoping that their relative lives on in you).

I'd reverse the names as others have said. It is what we have done - I don't like DBIL's name on a stand alone basis, only as a connection to one loved and lost.

Mario…
Ludovico is a lovely variation and wouldn’t have people singing super Mario theme at him

My late mum knew who Mario was because she bought my brother a NES in the late 80s/early 90s. She'd have been 79 this year.

MN is really weird about gaming. I cannot believe there are people on this thread claiming to have never heard of the Super Mario franchise. The first Super Mario game was in 1983! My mother is in her late 70s and has never played a video game in her life but she has heard of it because it’s a significant feature of pop culture.

The advantage of the super mario connection is that he will never have problems with people knowing how to pronounce his name!

OP, you have had several threads on Italian names but still seem to want to use Isaac yourself. Are you going to feel cheated if it is only ever a middle name? Can you come to some sort of compromise with your DH, maybe first child gets his choice, second child yours, or vice versa?

Sadly I think Luigi has a really strong association with superMario as well as being seen as an almost stereotypical Italian name. It gets used to denote "he's Italian" in sitcoms or jokes Which is crap as its a really great name.
I'd vote for Isaac Luigi.

Children will tease children about anything, and really, the Mario connection isn’t that bad.

Luigi was the actual name of the Saint known as Aloysius. It's such an ordinary name, like Lewis or Louis, as is Mario. There are lots of great namesakes. You can't be put off because the designers of a video game went for ordinary names.

I would vote Isaac Luigi too. But I actually do really like Luigi. It's a great name and it's a shame about the associations.

I have a 9 an d 7 year old boy’s and super Mario is still really really big, that’s not something that’s going to change soon

Just forgetting for a moment the Super Mario connection (which is pretty huge to be honest)...when giving an ' in honour of' name to a child, you do need to be a little careful as it's quite a legacy for the child to carry. I did this myself to one of my own children...but, I changed to name slightly to give my daughter 'her own' identity whilst still honouring her grandmother (if that makes sense?) eg if grandma was Harriet, I called my daughter Hettie (but not that!)

Could you (as has been suggested) use it as a middle name?

Clumsy name. They don't go together at all.

You might get some older mumsnetters that don't really know mario bros but it's still huge and all his peers certainly will. I'd definitely use it as a middle

I’d go for Isaac Luigi. I’m not so sure about a first name being the same as a recently passed away relative either.

The two names don't sit well together imho

Yes but Luigi is a fairly unusual name to hear in Britain in the first place. I've never met one. A lot of people's only exposure to the name here will be the character. It's not like Henry, Thomas, etc. which are all popular and established names that we hear every day. That doesn't mean you can't use it obviously, but I will wager a great many people will immediately connect it with Luigi from Mario because that's the only 'person' they know with that name, so it's definitely a consideration if that kind of thing is likely to bother you.

Luigi is a great name and honouring your relative is a lovely gesture.

Not everyone thinks mario..! And by the time little Luigi starts school the game may well be history.

As others have said many names have associations eg (Horrid) Henry, Thomas (the tank engine)...!

Yay for me, Luigi! Letsa go!

My kids are big Super Mario fans so that was my first thought.

I do like both names but I'd probably go for Isaac Luigi, I think it flows better.

Lots of namez have a paired connection name. After a short while, people who know the person forget about it. Eg. The Toms I know don't keep being asked where Jerry is, or Batman for Robin, or Thelma for Louise, or Will for Kate. I probably would draw the line at Beavis.

Luigi is a great name, especially with the added personal meaning. And it goes well eith Isaac.

I think Luigi Isaac is lovely!

I'd be campaigning for something similar sounding but not actually Luigi. Louis?
Louis Isaac is lovely.