Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Apollina - is it too much?

43 replies

FoggieLogie · 15/06/2025 12:21

Hi,

DH and I are expecting our first and likely only baby, w have called in love with the name Apollina, we like Apolline too but slightly prefer Apollina.
We have French and Italian family so a name that works well across languages is important we feel Apollina would work.

Middle name would be Vittoria (my middle name).

Our only concern is it’s quite a “big” name. Is it too much? Should we pick something more understated. Emiliana and Floriana are other top names but we do prefer Apollina.

Thoughts?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
user1492757084 · 18/06/2025 11:03

Apollina Vittoria is lovely.

WorkingRoyalNotTwerkingRoyal · 18/06/2025 09:21

Apple is the cutest nickname!

Bitzee · 18/06/2025 09:20

My DS went to nursery with one. He couldn’t say it so called her ‘Apple’ instead. No idea if the parents were ok with this nickname.

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 18/06/2025 09:16

Apollina Vittoria is really pretty.

Floriana is also gorgeous.

Jerrypicker · 17/06/2025 21:55

I think it’s Apollonia, not Apollina!

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 17/06/2025 21:49

I like Apolline (currently having a bit of a moment in France) but not so keen on Apollina.

Thisshirtisonfire · 17/06/2025 00:11

I think it's really beautiful

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 16/06/2025 23:59

Sara379 · 15/06/2025 12:28

I don't like it as I just hear apple-lena. I would call her Vittoria Apollina as Vittoria is much nicer (IMO) and that way round it also runs much better to my ear.

Yes, I would just instantly think that the makers of Orangina had diversified slightly.

TheaBrandt1 · 16/06/2025 23:51

I think it’s just this side of fine. If she’s confident she will rock it if she’s not there are several low key shortenings.

It’s so tricky as you can’t know what her personality will be like. I have one young adult quieter low key sensible one who would be mortified by an out there name and another who would love it.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 16/06/2025 23:47

I like it, nothing like a name with a bit of presence, and it’s no bigger than Allegra or Alexandra. She can be Polly or Lina (or Apple!) for everyday if she chooses

I think that in English, Latin versions of names generally work better than French - Apollina rather than Apolline

Oceangrey · 16/06/2025 23:10

I like it!

Mumofgirls2017 · 15/06/2025 22:47

I think it’s fantastic. Polly or Lina ar lovely nn’s

Chocolatebuttonanyone · 15/06/2025 22:26

I knew one. Must be about 17 now. Always went by Polly. It's a gorgeous name.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 15/06/2025 21:57

I used to work with an Appollonia, she was called Appie, not Polly.

FlourishNotPerish · 15/06/2025 20:48

I don’t like it. In Italian, I can only here the “pollo” bit -which means chicken. Prefer Apollonia but you will prob get Godfather comments. 😬

I knew an Emiliana who became Milly. Nice enough but prefer Emilia. Is Floriana Italian? It sounds made up.

Trying to think of other Italian or French “big” names… I’m from an Italian family and recent babies are Aurelia, Stella, Serena, Federica, Beatrice (pronounced Beyatreechay), Gaia, Clara.

Pippatpip · 15/06/2025 19:48

I know one but she goes by the nickname Apple.

Leoislazy · 15/06/2025 18:12

Thelondonone · 15/06/2025 18:04

It’s a brand of cheese.

Do you mean Apolonia?
Which I am sure you can see is not the same name?

Thelondonone · 15/06/2025 18:04

It’s a brand of cheese.

Leoislazy · 15/06/2025 18:02

It’s a really lovely name. I think you have a certain amount of power to dictate nicknames - say to teacher’s, playgroup parents etc., - her name isn’t shortened, or choose what the abbreviation is. ‘She prefers Lina’ for instance. As she gets older her friends will probably call her anything, so it’s not foolproof, but I do think that parents have a bit of a say as long as they speak up.

Needmorelego · 15/06/2025 17:55

I really like it.

scrivette · 15/06/2025 17:45

i think that it’s a beautiful name and sounds lovely with the middle name, especially considering your heritage.

I don’t think it will necessarily be shortened - just keep calling her the full name and let her know that if people shorten her name and she doesn’t like it, she can tell them!

AnneMarieW · 15/06/2025 17:34

Apollina is a very pretty, underused classical name imo. I don’t see how it’s any different in principle to similar but better known longer names like Alexandra, Antonia, Aurelia etc.

You just have to accept that any 4 syllable name here is very likely to be shortened sometimes- both because nicknames are often the UK social norm, but also because longer names can be such a mouthful to say in a rush. So it’s likely she’ll get Polly, Lina, maybe Apple (or perhaps even Pip because of the “Apple” sound). If you are fine with that, then I say go for it!

Emiliana and Floriana would have exactly the same issues btw- very likely quickly shortened to Em/Emmy and Florrie/Flora, so imo you might as well go for the more elegant and interesting Apolline/Apollina.

(Francesca is 3 syllables so a bit less likely to always be shortened imo, I also have a 3 syllable name myself that isn’t shortened. But I’ve rarely met someone with a 4 or 5 syllable name who doesn’t get it shortened sometimes - perhaps Apolline being only 3 syllables may escape it too).

BootballJoy · 15/06/2025 17:27

I like it. Much prefer to Vittoria.

MrsKateColumbo · 15/06/2025 15:08

I know 2 who are under 10! Neither is Polly although both are French

Viviennemary · 15/06/2025 15:07

No. I haven't heard of it and I dont much like it. Vittoria is much nicer and more recognisable as a name.