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Baby names

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Original poster

Which variant of Michael should I choose in Italy?

36 replies

Tkoko · 06/06/2025 11:34

I live in Italy and am struggling with one alternative name for my son. I am searching for a name that I can shorten to Misha (full slavic version - Mikhail) but would not sound Italian. Those versions are Michael (Mai-kal), Michele (too Italian) and Micael (don’t know if exists and how appropriate it would be. Like I like Misha but want it to be a short of a full name and not a stand alone name for my son. But at the same time I don’t know which version of full name to chose. Do you have any suggestions ? Please

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Calliopespa · 17/09/2025 08:32

Emanwenym · 16/09/2025 14:25

OP had her baby months ago.

That's why she was being asked what she went for.

Emanwenym · 16/09/2025 14:25

OP had her baby months ago.

butterdish93 · 16/09/2025 14:23

When I lived in Italy there was a little boy in my son’s scuola materna named (not sure on the spelling) Mikhaily. mick- ale - ley.
really gorgeous.

MadKittenWoman · 16/09/2025 13:41

Emanwenym · 07/06/2025 14:44

No. Italian orthography - Wikipedia:
J, K, W, X and Y are not part of the proper alphabet, but appear in words of ancient Greek origin (e.g. Xilofono), loanwords (e.g. "weekend"),[2] foreign names (e.g. John), scientific terms (e.g. km) and in a handful of native words—such as the names Kalsa, Jesolo, Bettino Craxi, and Cybo, which all derive from regional languages.

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This.

Tortelliniortortelloni · 16/09/2025 12:14

Tkoko · 16/09/2025 11:48

his name is Michele? And you call him Mike? No i didn’t chose it

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A different name but the same idea!

Original poster
Tkoko · 16/09/2025 11:48

Tortelliniortortelloni · 16/09/2025 08:31

What did you go for? My son has an Italian name but I always call him by a shortened English version- it's never been a problem.

his name is Michele? And you call him Mike? No i didn’t chose it

OP posts:
Tortelliniortortelloni · 16/09/2025 08:31

What did you go for? My son has an Italian name but I always call him by a shortened English version- it's never been a problem.

Gloschick · 07/06/2025 18:23

Just call him Misha if that is the name you like.

Original poster
Tkoko · 07/06/2025 16:00

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/06/2025 15:11

I don't really understand the problem! Name him Mikhail but call him by the shortening Misha while he is a baby/boy. When he is older he can choose to go by Mikhail if he wants. Mikhail will be easy for Italians to pronounce (even though they don't have the letter K) and is a famous enough name that people are unlikely to mispronounce it.

The problem is I like Misha but not so much Mikhail… so was also wondering if it sounds modern/appropriate?

OP posts:
Emanwenym · 07/06/2025 15:12

@Tkoko , it means it gets used, but not much. The k sound is usually C or CH depending on the letter that comes after it.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/06/2025 15:11

I don't really understand the problem! Name him Mikhail but call him by the shortening Misha while he is a baby/boy. When he is older he can choose to go by Mikhail if he wants. Mikhail will be easy for Italians to pronounce (even though they don't have the letter K) and is a famous enough name that people are unlikely to mispronounce it.

martinisforeveryone · 07/06/2025 15:03

Tkoko · 07/06/2025 13:28

i am just thinking if mikhail is a name for an old guy...not a baby...so i was thinking of some version that would be perfect and still slavic...i guess i just don't know how to pronounce it in a modern/international manner.

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He will be a man though, for a lot longer than he'll be a baby or a boy and, older names have definitely made a come back. Besides which, people make a name their own regardless of who's had it before, unless the full name has notoriety that is.

Original poster
Tkoko · 07/06/2025 14:56

Emanwenym · 07/06/2025 14:44

No. Italian orthography - Wikipedia:
J, K, W, X and Y are not part of the proper alphabet, but appear in words of ancient Greek origin (e.g. Xilofono), loanwords (e.g. "weekend"),[2] foreign names (e.g. John), scientific terms (e.g. km) and in a handful of native words—such as the names Kalsa, Jesolo, Bettino Craxi, and Cybo, which all derive from regional languages.

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I wasn’t thinking about that… so what does that mean?))

OP posts:
Emanwenym · 07/06/2025 14:46

@Notgoingoutitsraining , No,Meaning, origin and history of the name Malachy - Behind the Name

Emanwenym · 07/06/2025 14:44

Oceangirl82 · 07/06/2025 11:54

Do they have the letter K in the Italian alphabet?

No. Italian orthography - Wikipedia:
J, K, W, X and Y are not part of the proper alphabet, but appear in words of ancient Greek origin (e.g. Xilofono), loanwords (e.g. "weekend"),[2] foreign names (e.g. John), scientific terms (e.g. km) and in a handful of native words—such as the names Kalsa, Jesolo, Bettino Craxi, and Cybo, which all derive from regional languages.

Original poster
Tkoko · 07/06/2025 14:28

Melassa · 07/06/2025 14:24

Is it old man in Russia? Because they won’t know in Italy. Honestly, I’ve seen some dreadful spelling variants of Michael in Italy, as it’s difficult for Italians to spell - see Maicol which is the Italian phonetic spelling. Or even Brayan for Brian. Mikhail is a lovely name, go for it, your baby will totally own it 😊

exactly....that was my concern! thanks

OP posts:
Melassa · 07/06/2025 14:24

Is it old man in Russia? Because they won’t know in Italy. Honestly, I’ve seen some dreadful spelling variants of Michael in Italy, as it’s difficult for Italians to spell - see Maicol which is the Italian phonetic spelling. Or even Brayan for Brian. Mikhail is a lovely name, go for it, your baby will totally own it 😊

Original poster
Tkoko · 07/06/2025 13:28

Melassa · 07/06/2025 12:18

I think you’re overthinking this. I’m in Italy too and, unless you’re in some very rural backwater, Mikhail will be fine. Italians have got used to non Italian names. Misha will probably end up being spelled Miscia but the original Mikhail will be fine. Not that the spelling of the diminutive should matter, it’s transliterated from the Cyrillic Миша anyway.

i am just thinking if mikhail is a name for an old guy...not a baby...so i was thinking of some version that would be perfect and still slavic...i guess i just don't know how to pronounce it in a modern/international manner.

OP posts:
Gloschick · 07/06/2025 12:22

Would Mikal work?

Melassa · 07/06/2025 12:18

I think you’re overthinking this. I’m in Italy too and, unless you’re in some very rural backwater, Mikhail will be fine. Italians have got used to non Italian names. Misha will probably end up being spelled Miscia but the original Mikhail will be fine. Not that the spelling of the diminutive should matter, it’s transliterated from the Cyrillic Миша anyway.

Original poster
Tkoko · 07/06/2025 12:12

MrsPositivity1 · 07/06/2025 12:01

Just call him Michael

like michael jackson?)
its too american) then the idea of slavic name looses itself (

OP posts:
MrsPositivity1 · 07/06/2025 12:01

Just call him Michael

Notgoingoutitsraining · 07/06/2025 11:59

Is Malachy a derivative of Michael. Not sure of its origin but I like it. Is it Irish.

Original poster
Tkoko · 07/06/2025 11:57

Oceangirl82 · 07/06/2025 11:54

Do they have the letter K in the Italian alphabet?

yes they do

OP posts:
Oceangirl82 · 07/06/2025 11:54

Do they have the letter K in the Italian alphabet?