Can you use Matteo or Leonardo without an Italian or Spanish background?

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] again Berries,

Quick question - [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think [name_m]Matteo[/name_m] or [name_m]Leonardo[/name_m] would work on a boy who isn’t of Italian or Spanish heritage? He’ll most definitely have a full head of dark hair and big brown eyes though, if he’s to follow in his big sister’s footsteps! DH and I both have darker features.

I’m loving the romanticism of both names. In my desperate search for a boy’s name I’m finding that I really like the more softer sounding names.

Big sister is [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f]. Probably too different, right? Or am I overthinking again and would it be totally fine to have the sibset of either?

[name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] and [name_m]Matteo[/name_m]
[name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] and [name_m]Leonardo[/name_m]

Thank you in advance for your help x

Both names are popular ([name_m]Mateo[/name_m] spelling but still the same sound) so obviously there are already a lot of non-Italian parents using them! I don’t think it should be an issue.
If it still bothers you what about [name_m]Matthias[/name_m] and [name_m]Leonard[/name_m]/[name_m]Leopold[/name_m]/[name_m]Leon[/name_m]?

I think they’re fine, and I actually love both with [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f].

Thank you! x

You’re spot on about [name_m]Mateo[/name_m]. That’s a terrific point. I guess I’ve been worrying about nothing. I adore [name_m]Leopold[/name_m] and [name_m]Leon[/name_m], but sadly DH isn’t keen :frowning:

You’ve got an absolutely beautiful user list, by the way!

I love both names, think both are fine regardless of ethnic background and think both sound great with [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f]. I especially love [name_m]Matteo[/name_m].

Indon’t see why it woukd be a problem. My son’s name is very Greek but we don’t have any Greek heritage. (Descendants from others areas around the Mediterranean, but not Greek.)

I could see being concerned if you were considering a name of particular cultural or religious significance or a name that would clearly read as “I picked this because it seemed exotic to me” but neither [name_m]Matteo[/name_m] or Leornardo fit any of the above.