Page 2 | Gianna or Giovanna?

raisingalittleone1 · 2023-06-24T19:41:23+00:00

Please help me choose between these two names!

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Original poster

raisingalittleone1 · 24/06/2023 21:44

Melassa · 24/06/2023 21:41

I had a friend called Giovanna, we were in London together in the 90s. No one could pronounce her name (it really isn’t difficult), she tried to explain they could call her Jo but it was still mispronounced as Gee-o. In the end she told people she was called Jill.

someone further up the thread surmised that Gianna was like Liana or Breanna. That tells you all you need to know about how it will be pronounced in the U.K. I personally would avoid.

I don't think either name is particularly hard to pronounce so I'm surprised people had so much difficulty!

OP posts:

So1invictus · 24/06/2023 21:44

Melassa · 24/06/2023 21:41

I had a friend called Giovanna, we were in London together in the 90s. No one could pronounce her name (it really isn’t difficult), she tried to explain they could call her Jo but it was still mispronounced as Gee-o. In the end she told people she was called Jill.

someone further up the thread surmised that Gianna was like Liana or Breanna. That tells you all you need to know about how it will be pronounced in the U.K. I personally would avoid.

Exactly. Plus it's the polar opposite in terms of modernity to Leanna, Breanna etc. Or at least I think so. I see them as being uber modern.

You only have to hear how poor old Joe Varney Pernice gets his name mangled every year on Strictly!

StillWantingADog · 24/06/2023 21:44

I like both but be aware that either will be heavily mispronounced in the UK

So1invictus · 24/06/2023 21:42

raisingalittleone1 · 24/06/2023 21:37

But likewise within the UK, there's many people who have used names that are considered 'old fashioned' for their kids.

Also, unless you've asked every single person in Italy, I don't think you can really say "most" of them would consider it awful.

Show quote history

Well, obviously I haven't.
But in the same way not many people in the UK are going to say Mavis is gorgeous, everyone in Italy is going to think "oh, so ger gran is called Giovanna" Your husband knows this, right?

@TheMurderousGoose That's very true. I had a couple of names on my list when DD was born that to me sounded lovely, but then people kindly told me I'd be making her a laughing stock.

Melassa · 24/06/2023 21:41

I had a friend called Giovanna, we were in London together in the 90s. No one could pronounce her name (it really isn’t difficult), she tried to explain they could call her Jo but it was still mispronounced as Gee-o. In the end she told people she was called Jill.

someone further up the thread surmised that Gianna was like Liana or Breanna. That tells you all you need to know about how it will be pronounced in the U.K. I personally would avoid.

Original poster

raisingalittleone1 · 24/06/2023 21:37

So1invictus · 24/06/2023 21:30

I think the thing is, that lots of Italian (and other) names have been assimilated into other languages with no issues. Francesca is one of them.

Giovanna isn't. I'm surprised that an Italian wouldn't know how (sorry) pretty awful most Italians would consider it.

But likewise within the UK, there's many people who have used names that are considered 'old fashioned' for their kids.

Also, unless you've asked every single person in Italy, I don't think you can really say "most" of them would consider it awful.

OP posts:

TheMurderousGoose · 24/06/2023 21:35

I do find it fascinating how differently we can view a name without knowing any of the cultural context around it V when we do know its context.

Giovanna sounds gorgeous but an Italian saying 'mate, it's on a par with Mavis' would give me pause.

geoger · 24/06/2023 21:35

I prefer Giovanna - very pretty name.
I also like Giacinta, Giulietta and Gabriella.
Graziella and Giovanella are lovely too (sorry you can I tell watch too many Italian soaps)

Bartlebum · 24/06/2023 21:34

Names are always coming back into fashion. Gosh I remember hearing Alfie and Archie the first time on a baby and saying this. Now there isn't a class without at least one! The person makes the name what it is.

cyncope · 24/06/2023 21:34

So1invictus · 24/06/2023 21:31

(and if an Italian said they were going to call their baby Mavis, I imagine Brits would tell them how old-fashioned and not in a good way it is)

OK, so say you go to Italy and meet a little girl called Mavis and think 'that's quite an old fashioned name, I don't really like it'. What's the problem?

cyncope · 24/06/2023 21:32

Oh hi Giovanna, is your family Italian?
No, my mum just loved the name
....?

What terrible thing happens next? Little Giovanna is cast out of society?

So1invictus · 24/06/2023 21:31

(and if an Italian said they were going to call their baby Mavis, I imagine Brits would tell them how old-fashioned and not in a good way it is)

So1invictus · 24/06/2023 21:30

I think the thing is, that lots of Italian (and other) names have been assimilated into other languages with no issues. Francesca is one of them.

Giovanna isn't. I'm surprised that an Italian wouldn't know how (sorry) pretty awful most Italians would consider it.

underneaththeash · 24/06/2023 21:30

raisingalittleone1 · 24/06/2023 21:28

@underneaththeash who cares if someone asks about the name though? The response would just be 'we're not Italian, we just love the name' and then everyone just moves on with their day. Complete non issue

It will happen every other time though.

OP don’t call you child either name.

underneaththeash · 24/06/2023 21:28

Isn’t that bloody obvious. Just think.

Original poster

raisingalittleone1 · 24/06/2023 21:28

@underneaththeash who cares if someone asks about the name though? The response would just be 'we're not Italian, we just love the name' and then everyone just moves on with their day. Complete non issue

OP posts:

TheMurderousGoose · 24/06/2023 21:28

I know what the pp means. Doesn't apply to the OP as her child will be half Italian but I would find it a bit strange if someone had kids called Chiara and Alessandro without any Italian heritage.

cyncope · 24/06/2023 21:27

underneaththeash · 24/06/2023 21:26

Those are particularly Italian.

your child WILL get asked whose heritage the name comes from.

Show quote history

Oh no, and what will happen then???

underneaththeash · 24/06/2023 21:26

Bartlebum · 24/06/2023 21:23

Most names originate somewhere. Doesn't mean you can use them outside of the radius 😂

Show quote history

Those are particularly Italian.

your child WILL get asked whose heritage the name comes from.

cyncope · 24/06/2023 21:24

So1invictus · 24/06/2023 21:20

You do know it's seriously old-fashioned in Italy? It really is only used these days in honour of grandmothers?
There's nothing wrong with it, it would just surprise any Italians that it had been chosen as anything other than an obligation to honour gran.
Kind of the equivalent of calling a baby Mavis or Doreen or something.

If you're going to use it though use Giovanna which rings slightly less old fashioned than Gianna. I know of only one of each. Giovanna is one of my students and is 16 and named after her gran, while Gianna is a retired Latin teacher.

Surely that only matters if the OP lives in Italy (and cares about using a trendy name)?

Original poster

raisingalittleone1 · 24/06/2023 21:24

underneaththeash · 24/06/2023 21:19

Neither if you’re not Italian.

You do know that many names we use here are actually Italian? e.g. Sofia, Maria, Isabella, Mia, Francesca etc. Can you only be Italian to use these names?

For what it's worth though (not that it actually matters), my husband is Italian. HTH

OP posts:

Bartlebum · 24/06/2023 21:23

underneaththeash · 24/06/2023 21:21

Well it’s an Italian name and they’re going to be asked every time they say what their name is.

Show quote history

Most names originate somewhere. Doesn't mean you can use them outside of the radius 😂

underneaththeash · 24/06/2023 21:21

SunSwimEatSleep · 24/06/2023 21:19

🙄

Show quote history

Well it’s an Italian name and they’re going to be asked every time they say what their name is.

Bartlebum · 24/06/2023 21:21

underneaththeash · 24/06/2023 21:19

Neither if you’re not Italian.

That's a ridiculously stupid comment.

I love both as they are different but familiar. I would go with Giovanna as it could be shortened to Gianna anyway. And it's sounds glamorous.

So1invictus · 24/06/2023 21:20

You do know it's seriously old-fashioned in Italy? It really is only used these days in honour of grandmothers?
There's nothing wrong with it, it would just surprise any Italians that it had been chosen as anything other than an obligation to honour gran.
Kind of the equivalent of calling a baby Mavis or Doreen or something.

If you're going to use it though use Giovanna which rings slightly less old fashioned than Gianna. I know of only one of each. Giovanna is one of my students and is 16 and named after her gran, while Gianna is a retired Latin teacher.