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Baby names

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

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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Enko · 07/06/2025 11:51

Emanwenym · 06/06/2025 16:45

Mikhail, especially if the surname is Italian.

This. I agree with. Allow him.to have both his heritage in his name. And Mikhail is amazing

Original poster
Tkoko · 07/06/2025 11:49

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 07/06/2025 11:05

Just call him Michael and use Misha as a nn

No need to make it complicated

Don’t use Misha as a full name, it won’t necessarily travel well

Edited

but in italy its difficult to chose a correct version as i have to pronounce it in some way...Mikhail? Michele? Michael? Mikael? Mikhael?

OP posts:
martinisforeveryone · 07/06/2025 11:10

The Spanish Mikel, as in Arteta?

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 07/06/2025 11:05

Just call him Michael and use Misha as a nn

No need to make it complicated

Don’t use Misha as a full name, it won’t necessarily travel well

Emanwenym · 06/06/2025 20:08

It's a nice name and Gorbachev was a good guy. People get used to names, unless they contain sounds not in their language.

You could just name the baby Misha.

Original poster
Tkoko · 06/06/2025 19:51

Emanwenym · 06/06/2025 19:48

Just use the Mikhail spelling.
if you try to spell it phonetically in Italian it will look silly.

And at this point it is sooo complicated dated and not fun at all(((

OP posts:
Emanwenym · 06/06/2025 19:48

Just use the Mikhail spelling.
if you try to spell it phonetically in Italian it will look silly.

Original poster
Tkoko · 06/06/2025 18:51

justasoul · 06/06/2025 18:14

Micael does exist and is used in Portuguese (as well as the more common Miguel). I believe the French version is Michel - would that be any good?

I need a Slavic version that sounds clear in Italy or elsewhere… example would be of that Gorbachev but I have no idea how to adapt it to italy((((

OP posts:
justasoul · 06/06/2025 18:14

Micael does exist and is used in Portuguese (as well as the more common Miguel). I believe the French version is Michel - would that be any good?

Emanwenym · 06/06/2025 16:45

Mikhail, especially if the surname is Italian.

user1492757084 · 06/06/2025 11:38

Michael.