My husband’s family is super Italian. They have a family tradition with two names - [name]Joseph[/name] and [name]Michael[/name]. The first born son is named after the paternal grandfather. The second born is then named after the father, or uses the “other” name if the grandfather and the father have the same name.
My husbands name is [name]Michael[/name] - which I [name]LOVE[/name]. However, his father is [name]Joseph[/name]. His grandfather is [name]Joseph[/name]. His older brother is [name]Joseph[/name]. His brother’s first son will be [name]Joseph[/name]. Our first son must also be named [name]Joseph[/name]. Now you can see why I would not want to name my son [name]Joseph[/name] (although I knew what I was signing up for when we got married.)
I have gotten the approval to name our son [name]Giuseppe[/name] (mn [name]Ray[/name]). But then what happens if I have DS#2? Is [name]Michael[/name] too plain next to the more elaborate [name]Giuseppe[/name]? I adore [name]Michele[/name], but fear it will be confused with [name]Michelle[/name].
Also, I was planning to nn our son [name]Gio[/name], but DH suddenly thinks its too “[name]Jersey[/name] Shore.” I put the nn [name]Gray[/name] on the table (G+[name]Ray[/name]) was just faced with a dirty look.
So many issues. I need HELP! We have our girls name down - the boy should have been the easy one! I have rules to follow here! Any options/suggestions for variations or nns for [name]Joseph[/name]/[name]Giuseppe[/name]? Our LN is very Italian and 4 syllables.
[name]Giuseppe[/name] is an awesome name. My opinion is to go for it. For all you know, you may have a girl next. Why ditch a perfectly good name for what might be?
Also, [name]Michael[/name] doesn’t look insignificant compared to [name]Giuseppe[/name]. They look nice together. These are my sons, [name]Giuseppe[/name] and [name]Michael[/name]. I like [name]Michele[/name], too. I understand your fear about it being confused with [name]Michelle[/name], and truth be told, it might. Would you go for a hyphenated name, [name]Michele[/name]-[name]Alessandro[/name], for example? I don’t know, I think [name]Giuseppe[/name] and [name]Michele[/name] would be an AWESOME sibset and wouldn’t mind constantly telling people [name]Michele[/name] is a boy and not pronounced [name]Michelle[/name]. But you have to do what feels comfortable to you.
[name]Giuseppe[/name] is indeed very cool-- but it will be a mouthful with a very long Italian surname. [As an aside, I definitely would avoid hyphenating a future baby’s name if your last name is long and complicated.]
If you’re happy with [name]Giuseppe[/name], excellent. If you’d like to consider other, more trim versions of [name]Joseph[/name] that will make sure your little one doesn’t fade into the family crowd:
Perhaps you could name him [name]Josef[/name] / [name]Joseph[/name] / [name]Jose[/name], and give him a unique nickname like Jozo or [name]Jojo[/name]?
Also, is it OK in the family rules to use [name]Joseph[/name] as a middle name? Would [name]Raymond[/name] [name]Joseph[/name] be an option?
Well I am a little biased as I have a little [name]Josef[/name]! So obviously I adore the name! BUT I can imagine that TOO many [name]Joseph[/name]'s can be a little overwhelming!
Here are some options for variations/ nn’s for [name]Joseph[/name]!
Our son regluarly gets called [name]JOE[/name], PEP, PEPON, PEPINO and [name]JOJO[/name].
Sef is kinda cool too for [name]Joseph[/name]… and Giu, Sep and [name]Pino[/name] cool for Giuseppi
There are TONS of nn options!
[name]Joss[/name] is so wonderful, I just have to mention it again. Wonderful as a nickname or on its own. ^^
@[name]Blade[/name] & @backtomyroots have sort of covered all the other options, clever ladies.
Except Joses. It’s a Greek form of [name]Joseph[/name], mentioned 4 times in the New Testament. I quite like Joses, but it’s a little unusual next to a potential [name]Michael[/name] again.
I was going to toss out [name]Gino[/name] as a nickname for [name]Giuseppe[/name]. Also, if [name]Michael[/name] and [name]Michele[/name] aren’t doing it for you, maybe Michelino would work since it is a variant of [name]Michele[/name] but clearly masculine to those who aren’t familiar with Italian names.