We really like the name [name_f]Gianna[/name_f] but we like it pronounced the traditional Italian way ([name_m]JAHN[/name_m]-na). What spelling do you guys think is best for this? I really don’t like the look of Jahna and I am not a big fan of [name_f]Johnna[/name_f]/Johna/[name_f]Jonna[/name_f]. I do like the look of [name_f]Gianna[/name_f]/[name_f]Gianna[/name_f] but I feel that it will be mispronounced in the American way of [name_m]GEE[/name_m]-onna. We considered Jiana and Jianna but I think it looks funny. Any suggestions? Should we just go with the normal spelling and correct mispronunciation?
That’s a tricky one! I sometimes hear the Italian pronunciation of [name_f]Gianna[/name_f] very slightly different from [name_f]Jonna[/name_f]- I hear it a little more as JYAH-na, as if the “[name_f]Gia[/name_f]” were smooshed into a single syllable, but not a straight “Jah” sound. That may just be me being crazy, though.
If you’re going for the clear “[name_m]John[/name_m]-a” pronunciation, I don’t think [name_f]Gianna[/name_f] is the best spelling- I like [name_f]Jonna[/name_f] best for that. Unfortunately, gee-ah-na might be unavoidable with [name_f]Gianna[/name_f] in the US.
If anything, I’d say [name_f]Janna[/name_f] makes the most sense for the pronunciation you want, at least in English.
I’d still probably use [name_f]Gianna[/name_f] and ask people to pronounce it the way I like but [name_f]Janna[/name_f] would be my next choice.
[name_f]Jonna[/name_f] and any other spelling containing an O I’d definitely pronounce it as [name_m]John[/name_m] with an added A.
I would just use the [name_f]Gianna[/name_f] spelling. That is how I say it when I pronounce it, and you will introduce her most often speaking her name anyway. I think people will figure it out because it’s so similar to [name_f]Giada[/name_f] and people know the chef. I wouldn’t try to change the spelling or it will look made up.
I would go with the normal spelling [name_f]Gianna[/name_f] and correct mispronunciations.
[name_f]Gianna[/name_f] for sure. I agree with a previous poster that I hear them just slightly differently—[name_f]Gianna[/name_f] with the tiniest hint of a “y” sound, and [name_f]Johnna[/name_f] like [name_m]John[/name_m] + a.
[name_f]Gianna[/name_f] is a lovely name! It’s on my list too 
I know a [name_f]Gianna[/name_f] and everyone who matters picks it up quickly. I think people make more of an effort these days, especially if it appears the name is from another culture and so might not be pronounced phonetically in English.