I’m very close with my family, so when they asked what names we were considering I didn’t think anything of it. However they pointed out how every name on our list is Italian and that it could be rude, disrespectful, and inconsiderate to use one of them since neither of us have any Italian heritage.
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you think using an Italian name would be fine even if we aren’t Italian (our baby will be 50% Hispanic, 25% Polish and the other 25% is a mix of various things…but doesn’t include Italian)? The names are [name_f]Alessandra[/name_f], [name_f]Alessia[/name_f], [name_f]Arianna[/name_f], [name_f]Gianna[/name_f], [name_f]Luciana[/name_f], and [name_f]Lucia[/name_f]. If you think it would be fine for us to use one of the names, which sounds best with the and last name Martinez (middle will be [name_u]Lynn[/name_u] or [name_f]Dianne[/name_f])? We’re totally open to other first names too! If you give suggestions, we like girly (frilly, I guess) names and we aren’t really into trendy names like [name_f]Nevaeh[/name_f], [name_u]Paisley[/name_u], Mc- names or -son names. Vintage and old fashioned names are pretty but we’re pretty picky because we don’t want something that is too old or dated!
[name_f]Arianna[/name_f] and [name_f]Alessandra[/name_f] are perfectly fine, but I do see the others coming across as offensive to some people who do have Italian heritage.
It is absolutely fine- the name [name_f]Sophie[/name_f] or [name_f]Belle[/name_f] does not disrespect [name_m]French[/name_m] people, does it? Names are not the private property of a particular nationality- yes, they originated there, but they are for everyone to be used. If those are the names you love, go for it. Besides, you are not going to name your child every single name on your list :).
They are all beautiful and you really cannot go wrong with any of your choices- personally, however, I love [name_f]Gianna[/name_f] [name_u]Lyn[/name_u] and [name_f]Alessandra[/name_f] [name_u]Lyn[/name_u].
[name_f]Alessandra[/name_f] - it doesn’t sound very Italian and I would’t necessarily think that [name_f]Alessandra[/name_f]'s parents have Italian heritage.
[name_f]Alessia[/name_f] & [name_f]Arianna[/name_f]: same as [name_f]Alessandra[/name_f]
[name_f]Gianna[/name_f]: I would definitely think that [name_f]Gianna[/name_f] has Italian heritage. I’s be surprised by a Spanish last name for [name_f]Gianna[/name_f].
[name_f]Luciana[/name_f] & [name_f]Lucia[/name_f]: If pronounced [name_f]Lu[/name_f]-see-ana and [name_f]Lu[/name_f]-see-a, I don’t think that these are very Italian names. I’m pretty sure that [name_f]Lucia[/name_f] is a Spanish name as well.
[name_f]My[/name_f] favourite would be [name_f]Lucia[/name_f] [name_f]Dianne[/name_f] Martinez.
They’re all fine. None of them are offensive or exclusive to Italian culture/religious practices and most of them are used in other languages and countries anyway.
We really appreciate all of the opinions, thanks! We actually pronounce [name_f]Luciana[/name_f] “loo-see-on-uh” and [name_f]Lucia[/name_f] “loo-shuh” which probably doesn’t make a lot of sense. From the new suggestions we like [name_f]Paloma[/name_f], [name_f]Valentina[/name_f], and [name_f]Viviana[/name_f]!
Many of the names are used by other cultures other than Italians so I think they’re fine. The spellings of [name_f]Alessandra[/name_f] and [name_f]Alessia[/name_f] may be the Italian versions but the original name of [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] is Greek. [name_f]Gianna[/name_f] is quite popular so I’m guessing that it’s chosen by people who just like the sound of it. [name_f]Arianna[/name_f] is used by people of Greek heritage and [name_f]Lucia[/name_f] is Spanish as well. [name_f]My[/name_f] favourite would be [name_f]Lucia[/name_f] (with the mn of [name_f]Dianne[/name_f]) due to the fact that the name is quite multicultural and crosses borders quite effortlessly.
I highly doubt the vast majority of Italians or people with Italian heritage would be offended by your use of the names. There’s an enormous difference between using the name from another culture (something that’s been done since the beginning of time) and using the name OF another culture (like [name_u]Cheyenne[/name_u], [name_u]Dakota[/name_u], [name_f]India[/name_f] etc.) or a name that is not considered fit for use due to being an honorific ([name_m]Cohen[/name_m]) or one with derogatory associations ([name_f]Jemima[/name_f], maybe).
Also, many of the names you listed are not exclusively Italian. With the exception of [name_f]Gianna[/name_f], most are Latin and cross-over into other Latin-derived languages and cultures. [name_f]Luciana[/name_f], [name_f]Lucia[/name_f], and [name_f]Arianna[/name_f] are also Spanish.
Depending on what part of the world your partner’s Hispanic heritage comes from, he could be Italian without knowing it, too. Many Italians immigrated to [name_f]Argentina[/name_f], Chile, Mexico, [name_u]Cuba[/name_u], and Puerto [name_m]Rico[/name_m] in the 1800s.
I don’t think it would really be offensive to any culture to use a name of the culture. If someone is really personally offended by you naming your daughter [name_f]Gianna[/name_f] or [name_f]Lucia[/name_f], I think they’re the one with the issue, not you. And anyway, most of the names you listed I’m fairly certain are not solely the property of the Italian culture.
[name_f]My[/name_f] favorite is [name_f]Lucia[/name_f], it’s precious. [name_f]Lucia[/name_f] [name_f]Diane[/name_f] sounds lovely as well:)
I honestly don’t see how a non-Italian person using any of those names would be offensive… I’ve met more blonde, blue-eyed [name_f]Luciana[/name_f]'s and [name_f]Gianna[/name_f]'s, on [name_m]Saturday[/name_m] I met an African-American [name_f]Gianna[/name_f]. I’ve known a Korean [name_f]Fiona[/name_f], too. Personally, I wouldn’t bat an eyelash at an [name_f]Alessia[/name_f] or [name_f]Gianna[/name_f] Martinez. I think you’re good to go
I don’t think it’s offensive at all. Many Italian names are also Spanish. From you’re list I like [name_f]Luciana[/name_f] the best but I also like [name_f]Viviana[/name_f], [name_f]Valentina[/name_f], and [name_f]Valencia[/name_f].
I think they’re all fine. It’s not like you’re naming her Wop or [name_m]Dago[/name_m] or an actual offensive word targeted towards Italians. It’s so common for people to name their baby what they like regardless what their ancestry is. [name_f]My[/name_f] name stems from Greek or Latin roots I believe and I have zero Greek or Latin ancestry. It’s your baby, name her what you love!
I really don’t think any Italian would be offended by that (Italian from [name_f]Italy[/name_f], not sure how things work in the US)! Quite the contrary. It’s more of a compliment.
Why? This is a foreign concept to me. No country/culture owns a name. Unless there are racial or negative ethnic connotations (like using [name_f]Jemima[/name_f] in the U.S.), I don’t see how anyone could possibly have a problem with someone who’s not Italian using an Italian name.
I agree with what nooshi said. A country can’t claim a name. Italians often use English names or names from other lands too, and if you like a name you should use it! If I were Italian I would not be offended, I would be happy that someone is recognizing my heritage! It’s not as if you had no idea these names were Italian and were just using them because you like the sound and you couldn’t come up with anything else, and it’s not as if you’re naming your kid “[name_f]Italy[/name_f]” when the place has no significance to you and you have never been there.
I really like [name_f]Luciana[/name_f] and [name_f]Alessandra[/name_f]. [name_f]Luciana[/name_f] [name_f]Dianne[/name_f] and [name_f]Alessandra[/name_f] [name_u]Lynn[/name_u].
Those who believe this in this day and age are definately racist. I am so saddened by this statement! This is a free country. Name your child what ever you like. [name_f]My[/name_f] Great Grandparents were both from Germany and Protestants and my niece and nephew have Irish Catholic names of [name_f]Kristen[/name_f] and [name_m]Patrick[/name_m]. Let it go!
Absolutely not offensive – these names are all fine and I have met plenty of non-Italians (or at least very far-removed from their heritage) with these names or children with these names. [name_f]My[/name_f] favorite combos are the Ls with [name_u]Lynn[/name_u] – [name_f]Luciana[/name_f] [name_u]Lynn[/name_u] or [name_f]Lucia[/name_f] [name_u]Lynn[/name_u]. Sidenote: I know a woman who grew up in Mexico whose name is [name_f]Lucia[/name_f] (but prn. loo-SEE-a). Names cross culture all the time, especially names like these. All beautiful names and you really can’t go wrong. [name_f]Alessandra[/name_f] is my overall favorite and sounds good with both middles.
I agree with this.
We named dd1 [name_f]Elena[/name_f] and we have not an ounce of Spanish in us, just a love of [name_u]Peru[/name_u], and the spanish ppl we meet who share her name are flattered and intrigued that we used it!
Some cultures are more protective than others… I think Italian is not one of them!
