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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Sofia, Francesca, Caterina?

32 replies

Diamondpies · 14/03/2023 19:38

We are trying to find a name for DD due shortly. The only names that DP and I can potentially agree on are Sofia, Francesca and Caterina. I'm from Italy and we have discussed moving back there in future so I would really like an Italian name.
However I'm worried that Sofia is too popular, is it now popular to the point of being boring? Francesca and Caterina both have family meaning but I often hear Francesca pronounced differently in the UK and I don't know if that will annoy me. DP worries that Caterina will get confused for Catrina but I would hope that's not a big issue and can easily be corrected. Would be good to get others' thoughts, also open to any other suggestions (although it feels like we've gone through every possible one!)

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Theelephantinthecastle · 15/03/2023 20:55

Silvia?
Carla?
Gabriella?
Allegra?
Giorgia/Georgia?
Ginevra?

I like Francesca

Maraudingmarauders · 15/03/2023 20:54

I love Francesca and Caterina. Both are on our middle name list (also Italian family connections).

We've also go Idalia and Luigia on our middle name list. Chiara is a little over popular in my mind. We have a Sophia in the family, but im not a huge fan of Sofia anyway.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/03/2023 20:46

My DD is Sofia and when she was born (2013) it wasn't that popular. That said I only know of one other Sophia and no Sofia's. I also like Caterina but I think Sofia is very classic. I would say that though I guess

toastofthetown · 15/03/2023 20:44

Sofia is so popular. It's popular in so many countries across the world, which makes it a total bore to me. I prefer Catarina from your list, but nicknames feel very likely so I'd be sure you're ok with that.

Luredbyapomegranate · 15/03/2023 20:35

Caterina - you will get the odd Catrina but it’s not a huge issue. However she may end up Kate/Cate so you’d have to be ok with that

Francesca is popular but great - possibly it will get shortened

Sofia is done to death

Wotsitsname · 15/03/2023 07:31

I like Francesca from those three names. But Catarina isn’t bad with nickname Kitty.

Other beautiful Italian names I like would be Aria or Elizabeta. Noa would also work in Italy I guess.

So1invictus · 15/03/2023 06:13

Diamondpies · 14/03/2023 23:28

Thanks for the responses. DP has decided tonight that he likes Sofia so much that he has been referring to the baby as Sofia all night! 😆
I'm still withering as really like all of them.

The others I liked were Gaia and Ilenia but DP isn't keen on either of them, I think they are too unusual/out there for his ears as he's not used to hearing them but I love them both, Ilenia in particular.

Love Gaia also.

What's good about the 3 on your main list is that they are all "well-travelled" so you won't get the comments about using foreign names in the UK. (I do find it strange when people suggest say, an Italian name, without realising it's the equivalent of calling your child Mildred or Keith and nobody in the other country has been called that for about 70 years!) (Mind you, my daughter says that to me about Caterina 😂)
Wrt pronunciation - all the British Francescas I know pronounce it exactly the same as Italian ones. I only know 2 British Caterinas but I don't think they've had any problems. People possibly initially see it as Catrina but then learn.

cheapskatemum · 15/03/2023 06:03

NotABeliever · 14/03/2023 22:54

Sofia is soooooooo popular in Italy!!! Every other girl is called that. I would avoid.

Caterina is pretty but in the UK it's pronounced Catrina. I know this for sure. I can't explain why without outing myself.

Francesca is an absolutely gorgeous name and although a classic, it is not super popular at the moment. Yes it's pronounced a bit different in English, the vowel sounds are different, but overall English speaking people cope with the name.well and know how to spell it. I would 100% choose Francesca out of your 3 choices

My friend's daughter is called Katerina & is called Katerina, not Katrina/Catrina. I doubt it's because of the K rather than C, more likely because she corrects anyone who calls her the wrong name.

Similarly, OP, if someone in England pronounces Francesca in a way you don't like, simply point out politely the way you pronounce it. I'm guessing it's the 1st c, which I wouldn't know whether to pronounce like an s, or like ch, but would go along with whichever the child or parent said.

dmb91 · 15/03/2023 04:38

Sofia closely followed by Francesca, not keen on Caterina at all.

user1492757084 · 15/03/2023 04:24

Francesca is beautiful in it's entire form.
chesca or Chess is nice. Frankie is now too common.
Sofia and Caterina are both also lovely.
Sofe and Cat are decent nick names.
You can't go wrong with any of the three.

Original poster

Diamondpies · 14/03/2023 23:28

Thanks for the responses. DP has decided tonight that he likes Sofia so much that he has been referring to the baby as Sofia all night! 😆
I'm still withering as really like all of them.

OP posts:

xprincessxjanetx · 14/03/2023 23:25

I would use Francesca

NotABeliever · 14/03/2023 23:02

Other names I love:
Beatrice (written the same but pronounced very differently in the two languages)
Sara
Ginevra

NotABeliever · 14/03/2023 22:54

Sofia is soooooooo popular in Italy!!! Every other girl is called that. I would avoid.

Caterina is pretty but in the UK it's pronounced Catrina. I know this for sure. I can't explain why without outing myself.

Cassiehopes · 14/03/2023 22:35

Chocolateydrink · 14/03/2023 21:35

And your opinion was 'I don't like your foreign spelling'. That seems rather ignorant.

Show quote history

No, it’s not. Don’t be ridiculous! It’s not ignorant to dislike something that happens to be foreign. That’s almost MORE offensive to us ‘foreigners’ - British people who feel that have to patronisingly pretend to like literally every foreign thing in the world for risk of being seen as ignorant or racist 😂

Beeswood · 14/03/2023 21:38

I like all of them.

Chocolateydrink · 14/03/2023 21:35

evemillbank · 14/03/2023 20:34

@Chocolateydrink what made you think I didn't understand that the op asked for opinions. I gave mine

And your opinion was 'I don't like your foreign spelling'. That seems rather ignorant.

ourflagmeansdeath · 14/03/2023 21:06

I love Francesca so much, my favourite of the 3. Sofia is nice although I much prefer Sophia, but I get wanting an Italian heritage name. Not as keen or Caterina but it's still okay.

Suzi888 · 14/03/2023 21:01

”i like both Francesca and Caterina. She'll be the only one in her class”

erm no she won’t 😂we have a few Fran’s /Franny’s here!

Cherryblossom1985 · 14/03/2023 20:58

Love Francesca.

Hapoydayz · 14/03/2023 20:39

Francesca is a lovely name

Meredusoleil · 14/03/2023 20:37

Love Francesca ❤️

evemillbank · 14/03/2023 20:34

@Chocolateydrink what made you think I didn't understand that the op asked for opinions. I gave mine

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 14/03/2023 20:27

Too many Sophias so yes it is boring.

I like both Francesca and Caterina. She'll be the only one in her class but neither name is crazy, both fairly well known spellings

17caterpillars1mouse · 14/03/2023 20:16

Caterina is beautiful

Sofia / Sophia has been done to death recently

I like Francesca but not keen on Fran or Frankie so wouldn't use it myself. I quite like Cesca or Chess though

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