Francesca is expecting her second child -- a surprise! -- to join their son Luca.
Francesca writes: "We like traditional names and a biblical link would be nice too. I don’t think we would like to go for anything too trendy such as Rocco.
We knew that our son would be Luca from very early as we both fell in love with the name. His middle names are after my husband’s grandfather who sadly passed away shortly before Luca was born (Arthur) and Alberto was to honour my dad and my Italian heritage.
We have gone through baby name books, the internet and discussions with family and friends and we are still no closer to choosing a name that we both like. I would prefer that the baby didn’t share the same “L” first name initial and I also am not sure how I feel about the baby also having a 4-letter name. I
If we have a girl we would like to the middle name to honour my mum who is Mariannina. We haven’t yet decided if we will go for the full version or a shorter version such as Marie, Mary, Maria etc. On that note my husband has ruled out May/Mae.
My husband’s middle name is William and we have discussed using this as a middle name. I am not sure about having this as first name due to nicknames Willy and Billy.
Names for girls:
Isabelle (after my grandma Maria Isabella) – my husband feels we know too many Isabelle, Isabella, Bella etc.
Delilah – my husband is not keen this name – “why why why Delilah”
Florence – my husband is not keen
Violet
Clara
Grace
Sofia
Rose/Rosie – though we have a Rosa and Rosina already in the family
Ivy
Lily/Lara - but “L” initial, I feel that this would mean a third child would have to an L initial too.
Names for boys:
Jack – my husband loves this name but I am not sure this baby is a Jack. Plus searching this with our surname came up with Jack the Ripper articles. Maybe with a different middle name?
Edward – my husband likes this – I like this name but not with William as a middle name as then the baby’s initials with our surname would be E.W.W and not with Jack – Edward is also a family name
William – family name
Arthur – I really like this name but we used it as son’s middle name
John – Not our favourite
Joseph - Not our favourite
Leo – but “L” initial, I feel that this would mean a third child would have to an L initial too.
Ruled out by my husband but liked by me: Christian, Hugo, Frederick, Lorenzo, Alexander, Arlo. Lovely names but all taken by friends already and keen to avoid are: Eliana, Evelyn, Amelia, Sienna and Olivia."
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Girls:
Aurora – A gorgeous Latin name which is a perennial favourite in Italy, and fashionable in Britain.
Imogen – A pretty Shakespearean name which has a refined and gentle quality. Part Isabelle, part Violet.
Beatrice – Beatrice is a Shakespearean heroine with a sweet English Victorian darling feel. On the flip side, Beatrice is also a romantic Italian staple (in the Italian top 30 for at least 30 years, pronounced be-a-TREE-che). Famously, Beatrice Portinari (1266-1290) was the love and muse of Italian poet Dante.
Alice – Like Beatrice, Alice also has a dual English/Italian personality. In Britain, she's a sweet historic staple, popular in the Middle Ages and borne by Victorian princesses and sweet literary heroines. In Italy, Alice (pronounce a-LEE-che) is equally historic and perennial, ranking in the top 15 Italian girls' names for the last 30 years.
Alessa / Alessia– The former a short-form of Alessandra, the latter the feminine form of Alexis, both of these lyrical Italian beauties are easily accessibly and stylish in Britain.
Adele – A medieval royal powerhouse with a Victorian literary twist. Adele is both the English and Italian form of Adela which means "noble."
Eva – The Italian (Latin) form of Eve which has plenty of history in Britain. The name also ticks the box of being a traditional name with a Biblical link.
Lydia – Lydia is a bright and elegant Latin choice which was borne by one of the few women mentioned in the New Testament. It was a Georgian staple in Britain; in Italy, they use the spelling Lidia.
Phoebe – A lively and sweet Ancient Greek name of mythology which also serves as a Biblical name. The Italians also use the name, though they prefer the spelling Febe.
Esther – An eminent Biblical queen which has a sweet Georgian style in Britain. It is used in Italy in the spelling Ester, where it currently ranks #102.
Jemima – One of the beautiful daughters of Job in the Bible, Jemima has a sweet and sunny, Beatrix Potter-esque charm.
Iris – With Violet, Rose, Ivy and Lily on your list, it seems remiss not to mention fragrant Iris. Not only is it a floral name, and the ancient Greek personification of the rainbow, Iris also has Italian roots through the 19th century Italian opera Iris.
Aria – Speaking of opera, Aria is a melodic name taken directly from the Italian dictionary which is highly fashionable in Britain.
Boys:
Daniel – A strong yet friendly Biblical staple which is a perennial favourite in both Britain and Italy.
Theo – If Leo is a front-runner, I wonder if Theo will also appeal. Long in use as a short-form of saintly Theodore, Theo has the same bold and lively sound as Leo without repeating the 'L' initial.
Jonah / Jonas – A gentlemanly Biblical name which was a staple Georgian / Regency-era choice in Britain.
Noah – Currently ranking in both the top 100 ranks in both Britain and Italy, Noah is a Biblical staple recently revived to a new lease of life.
Joel – A friendly and down-to-earth Biblical name (one of the twelve prophets) which feels historic yet fresh at the same time.
Max – Mixing the Latin heritage of Leo with the strong swift sounds of Jack, Max is a great brother name for Luca.
Zachary / Zack – A strong Biblical name with an affable charm. It's short-form, Zack, makes a great alternative to Jack.
Toby – Playful Toby has old-style homeliness combined with dignified polish. As a British short-form of Tobias, it also has a Biblical heritage.
Miles / Myles – Down-to-earth, affable and charming. Not at all flashy but completely enthralling and interesting.
Oscar – An ancient Celtic name which is now stylish, continental and friendly.
Ivo/Ivan – As an alternative to Leo and Hugo, how about knightly Ivo (the form that is also used in Italy) or its brother-form Ivan?
Family-Honour Names:
Anna – A simple, sweet and eternally elegant name which incorporates part of Mariannina.
Marina – A chic bilingual Italian and English name which means "of the sea" and neatly honours both Mariannina and Maria Isabella.
Mirabel / Mirabelle – Akin to Isabelle on your list but with a twist. Mirabel (from the Latin word for "wonderful") also honours Maria Isabella.
Maribel – A Spanish name which literally combines Maria and Isabella.
Mia – Short but sweet, Mia is a dual English-Italian name which started life as a name as a short form of Maria across Europe. It is also the Italian word for "mine" and ranks in the Italian top 30.
Maia – Take out the 'r' for Maria and you get the name of the ancient Roman goddess for whom the month of May is named after. Bonus: Maia is used in both Britain and Italy.
Edward – Perhaps the diminutives Ned, Ted or Teddy could warm you to Edward a little more? Plus, adding an a extra middle name to match Luca's two would eiminate the inital dilemma: Edward Leo William W___, Edward Jack William W___...
I hope this has been of use. Good luck with settling on the perfect name!
