Sofia, Francesca, Caterina?

32 replies

Diamondpies · 14/03/2023 19:38

We are trying to find a name for DD due shortly. The only names that DP and I can potentially agree on are Sofia, Francesca and Caterina. I'm from Italy and we have discussed moving back there in future so I would really like an Italian name.
However I'm worried that Sofia is too popular, is it now popular to the point of being boring? Francesca and Caterina both have family meaning but I often hear Francesca pronounced differently in the UK and I don't know if that will annoy me. DP worries that Caterina will get confused for Catrina but I would hope that's not a big issue and can easily be corrected. Would be good to get others' thoughts, also open to any other suggestions (although it feels like we've gone through every possible one!)

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

So1invictus · 15/03/2023 06:13

Diamondpies · 14/03/2023 23:28

Thanks for the responses. DP has decided tonight that he likes Sofia so much that he has been referring to the baby as Sofia all night! 😆
I'm still withering as really like all of them.

The others I liked were Gaia and Ilenia but DP isn't keen on either of them, I think they are too unusual/out there for his ears as he's not used to hearing them but I love them both, Ilenia in particular.

Love Gaia also.

What's good about the 3 on your main list is that they are all "well-travelled" so you won't get the comments about using foreign names in the UK. (I do find it strange when people suggest say, an Italian name, without realising it's the equivalent of calling your child Mildred or Keith and nobody in the other country has been called that for about 70 years!) (Mind you, my daughter says that to me about Caterina 😂)
Wrt pronunciation - all the British Francescas I know pronounce it exactly the same as Italian ones. I only know 2 British Caterinas but I don't think they've had any problems. People possibly initially see it as Catrina but then learn.

Wotsitsname · 15/03/2023 07:31

I like Francesca from those three names. But Catarina isn’t bad with nickname Kitty.

Other beautiful Italian names I like would be Aria or Elizabeta. Noa would also work in Italy I guess.

Luredbyapomegranate · 15/03/2023 20:35

Caterina - you will get the odd Catrina but it’s not a huge issue. However she may end up Kate/Cate so you’d have to be ok with that

Francesca is popular but great - possibly it will get shortened

Sofia is done to death

toastofthetown · 15/03/2023 20:44

Sofia is so popular. It's popular in so many countries across the world, which makes it a total bore to me. I prefer Catarina from your list, but nicknames feel very likely so I'd be sure you're ok with that.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/03/2023 20:46

My DD is Sofia and when she was born (2013) it wasn't that popular. That said I only know of one other Sophia and no Sofia's. I also like Caterina but I think Sofia is very classic. I would say that though I guess

Maraudingmarauders · 15/03/2023 20:54

I love Francesca and Caterina. Both are on our middle name list (also Italian family connections).

We've also go Idalia and Luigia on our middle name list. Chiara is a little over popular in my mind. We have a Sophia in the family, but im not a huge fan of Sofia anyway.

Theelephantinthecastle · 15/03/2023 20:55

Silvia?
Carla?
Gabriella?
Allegra?
Giorgia/Georgia?
Ginevra?

I like Francesca

Flip

1 2