To wish people were more positive about my baby's name? <kind of serious>

[Truntscump]

DH & I loved the name Luca for a girl throughout my pregnancy. I know it's generally used as a boy's name especially in Italy but her middle name is Rose and I love that it means 'light'.

Anyway, my dear mum very sadly died last summer of Leukaemia and my (usually lovely) Granny (aged 96 and grieving) first said that Luca reminds her of the phrase 'dirty Luca' then a week later she asked if it was too late to change the name beaches it reminds her of Leukaemia.

I was so upset, my baby (3 weeks old) really suits her name and I love that it's a bit different but now I can't stop thinking about the link to Leukaemia :(

I wouldn't worry at all about the dirty Luca link, considering half of us don't even know what that means and it's only making you think of leukaemia now that your granny has said so. As previous poster said its her name now. Keep it. Luca is lovely

Yes, boys name why not Lucia as suggested to Lucy? Or, if you must then go Rose Luca?

I think it's a lovely name, regardless of what your Grandmother thinks. She most likely anticipated something more traditional, but it's your baby, your choice of name. She'll get over it when she wants a cuddle.

Although you can call your DD what you like, Luca is an Italian boys name that has become very popular in the UK in recently years, probably in the top 50, so not really a bit different, just a bit different for a girl. You could stick with it or change to something similar but more feminine like Lucia.

I can't say I have ever heard of if as a girls name before and the lukemia link would have put me off.

But if you and your partner are happy that's all that matters

I agree that it is a lovely name for a boy.

I also do think it is very reminiscent of leukaemia, especially so soon after your mother's death. Sorry for your loss.

Reminds me of Suzanne Vega's song: My Name is Luka, which is about an abused child.

Sorry OP, it's a boys' name. (Admittedly one that sounds quite feminine to most English speakers.)

Lucy/Lucia are lovely though.

Luca isn't a girls name. It just isn't.

Blooming heck OP, not many positive responses here.

Having said that, Nicola is also an Italian boys' name, as is Andrea, and both of these sound like girls' names to English ears. They both became popular girls' names in the UK in the 70s and seem perfectly normal now.

I've never yet heard of a girl "Luca" but there are several boys with that name in DCs school. Be prepared for a fair amount of playground teasing.

And yes to it reminding me of Suzanne Vega's "My name is Luca" about an abused boy :(

Your granny has been mean - I appreciate she's grieving but that's not a nice thing to ask you to do. She's just plain wrong about the filthy lucre comment as they're different words.

Personally I quite like a boy's name on a girl (eg supermodel James King, though I don't think it was her given name) and she can choose to femme it up or not with that middle name in later life.

I'd've just gone for Lucia, because it's so lovely and feminine, but it's not up to me - or your nan.

Dare I say that I am struck by the similarities with leukaemia and my name is Luka? Sorry.

I like it, it's quirky for a girl. Lucy is dull, stick with Luca, she sounds like she's gonna be aloof and cool and a good egg!

Sod everyone else, if you're happy, keep it

Luca is a lovely boy's name. I've known a few. Your grandmother's reasons for disliking the name are ridiculous but that doesn't change the fact you've given your daughter a 100% masculine name. It's not unisex at all. Is it too late to consider Lucia or similar. She will spend her whole life with people expecting a boy when they see/hear her name. It's not like Sam or Alex etc at all.

Nicola is Nicholas and Andrea is Andrew btw. They sound totally normal in English now, but Italian and French-speaker still find them very strange on girls.

I know a girl called Lucca OP. It's fine for a girl.

I know a polish woman called Luca., if that helps!

Harsh responses people! Luca is wonderful and who cares if it's a boys name! Really pisses me off how some people are so sexist about names. Reminds me of the James for a girl debate! Why the hell should women not have male names, why do names have to be defined by your sex?

I actually like it for a girl!

No one else will think of leukemia. I have a friend with a boy Luca and it's certainly never crossed my mind.

Reminds me of Lucca Quinn in the Good Wife, who is a lovely character! I know she's fictional, but she's named after the place Lucca. Maybe you could add a 'C' to you daughter's name to mark the difference with the boys' name?

My immediate thought of Luca is as a boys name; however, it sounds lovely as a girls name and I think Luca Rose is gorgeous! If you love it, keep it. If you find the connotation unnerves you, you can always call her by her middle name. But I think Luca is a lovely name for a boy or a girl.

I have literally never thought of leukaemia on hearing that name. If the number of people pointing out its a boys name has worried you, just hyphenate it with the rose and most people won't bother to say the rose bit anyway but it clears up that she is a girl on forms etc.