Elio

[DotDotDotDotDot]

Hello, I was wondering what people think of the name Elio. It’s Italian and Spanish in origin and means “sun”. Pronounced Eh-lee-oh. Would people assume this pronunciation or something else?

I really liked Leo for a boy since before I had my DD but it’s become massively popular in the last few years. I thought Elio had a similar feel but is obviously much less used.

I’m based in the UK but was also curious to hear from people with Italian/Spanish backgrounds about how this name is perceived in these countries, e.g is it dated? Any negative associations? Apparently it’s also recently become popular in France. Thanks everyone.

@DotDotDotDotDot

Hello, I was wondering what people think of the name Elio. It’s Italian and Spanish in origin and means “sun”. Pronounced Eh-lee-oh. Would people assume this pronunciation or something else?

I really liked Leo for a boy since before I had my DD but it’s become massively popular in the last few years. I thought Elio had a similar feel but is obviously much less used.

I’m based in the UK but was also curious to hear from people with Italian/Spanish backgrounds about how this name is perceived in these countries, e.g is it dated? Any negative associations? Apparently it’s also recently become popular in France. Thanks everyone.

I'm in Italy, been here 27 years teaching and never come across one. I just asked Italian dp and he said very old-fashioned and almost comical.

(the correct pron is with the stress on the E btw)

The Elio in the book/film was named after his Grandfather and that was set in the early 80's.
My car doesn't seem to mind

I think it sounds like you are spelling out the name so..
"What's your name?"
"L-E-O"
"Do you mean Leo? Why are you spelling it?!"

@Geamhradh It started so positive, I think you’ve just burst my bubble….only joking that’s a really helpful comment, Thank you.

@Bowlofcereal. I hadn’t thought of that, good point.

Sounds like a new banking app

@Geamhradh

(the correct pron is with the stress on the E btw)

In that case I dislike it, OP. I was on the fence with it but if the stress is on the E then nope. I pronounced how you wanted it in your OP but had the stress wrong. It really does sound like someone spelling out Leo.

It’s a bit like someone saying “err, Leo” so like “what’s your name?” “Ehhh, Leo”. I had this problem when I asked a fellow mum at a baby group her daughter’s name and I’m not sure whether she said
“Alara” or
“Err, Lara” or like “Ahh, Lara” if you see what I mean!
I still don’t know whether the baby is Lara or Alara.

I like Leo better. Elio reminds me of Call Me By Your Name, I find it quite a strong association, probably because I’ve never heard of another Elio.

I think it sounds like you are spelling out the name so..
"What's your name?"
"L-E-O"
"Do you mean Leo? Why are you spelling it?!"

Call Me By Your Name is such a beautiful film 😭

It’s a lovely name OP, I really like it.

Also thought of Call me by your name immediately but that's a good association! Love Elio!

Nice name, though my first assumption was Ee-Lee-oh as in Eli, rather than Eh-lee-oh as in Elliot.

Another person associating with Call Me By Your Name, which I liked (though, as these threads are always so obsessed with schoolyard teasing potential, it does feature a tasteful, restrained scene where a teenage boy masturbates using a ripe peach.)

Or apricot? Have forgotten…

Peach.
I've watched the film loads of times!

@ISpyCobraKai

Peach. I've watched the film loads of times!

I bow to your better memory for fruit.

I only know it from Call me by your name, but I think it's beautiful

I'm not Italian but I lived in Italy for a few years, and my partner is Italian... I really like the name but, like @Geamhradh's partner, he thinks it's pretty old style and immediately thinks of Elio (a comic) from Elio e le storie tese (a comedy rock band) which will always have a particular connotation in Italy. I've never met an Elio in person, but I do know an Elia and an Enea, which sound similar to me, but maybe male names finishing in 'a' would cause confusion abroad.

I loved the film but it has a bad flavour now! Either way though I do prefer Leo. I think it’s stronger and more likely to be pronounced correctly.

Tbf, that was the other character, and even then it's the actor. I still watch it!

I haven’t seen it since. Every time I think about it it creeps me out now and I don’t want to spoil/taint it by watching it and feeling squicky!

I refuse to let it be ruined.
He's Oliver, not Armie.

There was going to be a second film, obviously not now,

No, I suppose they won’t do the sequel now. Maybe they can do something like Iron Man did with Rhodey and just recast him and not mention it 😂

Sounds like a sun cream brand to me