Francesca and Michael are struggling to settle on a name for their second daughter, a sister for Annamaria. They are looking for an Italian name to reflect their heritage, preferably a saint's name, but that isn't a deal breaker. Annamaria came easily to them as it is Italian, saintly and honours two family members -- Ann and Mary. Francesca is looking for something "feminine, elegant and Italian, and not common in England."
They had settled on Sabrina but, having had some negative feedback from family, are now having second thoughts.
Their list:
Aurelia - They like but have struggled to pronounce it.
Gabriella - Both like but they are not keen on Gabby and feel Ella is too popular.
Sabrina - This is what they both like but have received some negative feedback.
Angelina - Too associated with Angelina Jolie.
Anjelica
Marina - Too similar to Annamaria.
Names that Francesca likes but Michael doesn't:
Aurora, Seraphina, Celeste, Delphina, Ilaria, Elettra, Talitha, Apollonia
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I really sympathise with you both. It seems you struck gold first time round with a name that ticked so many boxes and that can be hard to recreate. Negative feedback can be really crushing but, ultimately, it is your choice.
Aurelia - This is such a beautiful name -- I can see why you like it. The pronunciation of it does vary wildly in the UK, but that is partly because we have no fixed rules for the 'au' or 'e' vowels. In other countries it is very specific. Take Claudia -- the 'au' rhymes with now in Italy, but throw in Germany, yet paw in Britain. While it might be a little irksome to keep correcting people, being able to choose the pronunciation you like best, when technically you won't be "wrong," is quite an advantage.
Gabriella - If neither Gabby or Ella grab you, what about Bibi, Bree or even Bella as a nickname?
Sabrina - Ancient Celtic Sabrina was used by Spenser for The Faerie Queene and popularised in the 1950s by the play 'Sabrina Fair' which was also made into a film. It has an elegant and classic feel which seems just what you are looking for. Similar in style, might I also suggest:
※ Sabina - Taken from the place in Italy, Sabina was not an uncommon Roman name, and was later picked up by the Victorians, giving it a genteel vintage vibe. It brings to mind the abducted Sabine women who courageously put themselves in the firing line to end a war. Saint Sabina was a 2nd century Roman who has a beautiful basilica dedicated to her on the Aventine Hill in Rome.
※ Savina - An Italian variant of Sabina.
※ Serena - Also a saint's name, Serena is a pretty Byzantine Latin name meaning "clear, bright, serene."
※ Sarabella - An Italian compound name which combines Sara (Sarah) with Bella.
Italian Saints:
Ines -- St Agnes of Rome was a martyred noblewoman. Her name became Inés in Spanish and Ines in Italian.
Amata -- St Amata of Assisi was a disciple under St Clare whose name means "beloved."
Maddalena -- The Italian form of Magdalene which honours disciple Mary Magdalene. Lena is a common diminutive in Italy.
Livia -- A classic and elegant Roman name borne by several empresses. It is also counted among the saints' names thanks to St Agostina Livia Pietrantoni.
Felicita -- With the lovely meaning of "joy," Felicita is the Italian form of Felicity, borne by Roman martyr St Felicity.
Helena -- St Helena was a Roman Empress and the patron saint of new discoveries. In Italy, Lena is often used as a diminutive.
Lelia -- The Italian form of the Roman name Laelia (LAY-lee-a). St Lelia is an Irish saint (Lelia is used to render the Irish Liadhain). This ties in both the Italian and Irish heritage in nicely with an elegant Roman flair.
Both Italian and English:
Several names work seemlessly in both Italian and English, sometimes with just a slightly different pronunciation:
Beatrice -- Use in both Italy and Britain, Beatrice is a Roman descendant and a saint's name to boot.
Adele -- A medieval name, borne by queens and princesses meaning "noble." Both Adele and Adela are used in Britian and Italy and both have been borne by saints.
Clarissa -- An elegant Georgian and Edwardian gem which is also found in Italy.
Stella -- From the Latin word for "star," Stella not only has a vintage vibe, it is also a Marian name via the epithet Stella Maris (Our Lady, Star of the Sea).
Maia -- The name of the Roman goddess of spring which is used in both Italy and Britain. Similarly, Gaia the mother goddess of Greek and Roman religion is well used in Italy.
Other Suggestions:
Flora -- Lovely Flora ticks many boxes. Not only is it a saints name with a elegant classic Roman heritage, it also brings to mind the Italian city of Florence. Flora was borne by the Roman goddess of flowers and continued through to the Byzantine era. While easily recognised, it is still very uncommon as a given name in Britain.
Cassia -- The name of a Cinnamomum aromaticum spice, Cassia was a Roman name. It was borne by a Byzantine abbess, poet and composer who is considered a saint in the Eastern Orthodox church.
Ginevra -- A pretty elegant Italian form of the legendary medieval Guinevere, that has long been associated with ginepro meaning "juniper" -- Da Vinci used the juniper in his painting Ginevra de Benci as a play on words.
Noemi -- Noemi is the Italian form of Naomi making it a strikingly chic Biblical choice.
Luisa -- The Italian form of Louise which works well in English as a variant of Louisa. Classic yet uncommon and also a saint's name.
I hope these suggestions are helpful. Please keep us updated!
