Italian Names (+ 1 English!) for a Girl

[WhatILoved]

Hello,

Don't know what we are having yet, already got the name for a boy but need help for girls. DH is Italian, name has to go with fairly frilly 3 syllable surname that starts with a soft G (like a J) and ends in lli.

Just want some opinions on the shortlist.

Isola: pronounced EEzohla with emphasis on the I not the O, this is DH's favourite as in his family. I need convincing as don't think people will pronounce it right.

Alba
Carmen
Arianna
Joanna - not so keen on the Italian Giovanna spelling.
Beatrice - Italian pronounciation is Baya-treech-eh

Thanks!

Meant to add Livia as well

Isola is lovely, but Alba is my favorite. I really like Ciara too.

Alba sounds like your a big Jessica Alba fan.
Joanna I find a bit boring.
Beatrice I like but it sounds like the pronunciation could cause some confusion.
Carmen and Arianna I like.
Love Isola but would automatically pronounce it Iz-OH-la.

I like Isola and Beatrice best, but also like Alba and Livia. I love Beatrice Alba. Are you having middle names?

Thanks for suggestions so far. Middle names actually more likely to be English family names - traditional for our family, I have the same (unisex) one as my dad etc. Not really bothered if they don't gel well together.

I never thought about the Jessica Alba thing!

DH's grandma was Isola, think this is why he wants it, but it's not even popular in Italy

I like giulla pronounced julia.
Arianna is also lovely.

Isola is very pretty! But I think Livia might translate best for both cultures.

My Italian SIL is called Floriana. I love her name.

Alessia
Elise
Vanessa
Alessandra
Marzia
Cosmina
Gianna

Isola and Beatrice - I'd avoid due to the pronounciation problems. Just had a quick look and Isola means island or person who lived on an island. Would Isla be any good?

Alba and Arianna both lovely.

Carmen is a little "harder" sounding. Maybe because it makes me think of cars and men!

Joanna is nice but maybe doesn't go so well with your surname?

From your list I adore Isola and Livia. How about Francesca, Cosima or Florence?

I live in North America where Arianna is very popular and a bit, um, well...common.

I have a soft spot for Carmen but think Beatrice is prettier.

Alba is v old fashioned here in the south of Italy, and usually a nickname for Rosalba.

I've never heard of Isola being used as a name to be honest, although there are lots of Grannies with really fantastically way out names! Might be nice as a mn to honour her?

Oh no, Alba is terribly old fashioned.

I've never heard of Isola being a name, how interesting.

Beatrice is beautiful.

A friend of mine has just had a baby Alba - it's lovely.