Pls help me name my 2 day old beautiful baby boy

General Name Discussion
1

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] all, new to the forum, wish I had found it earlier. I would really appreciate your advice.

My husband and I have had so much trouble settling on a boy’s name. Our last name is Italian and C__lini (3 syllables). The middle name should be my maiden name (Croatian, T_-_-ic, 3 syllables). (My name would only appear on passport and diplomas, would not otherwise be used). We might add a first middle name for his father who passed away (Gianfranco, or [name_m]Frank[/name_m]).

So the name would be Firstname Gianfranco T_-_-ic C__lini. No hyphen. The name at school and in everyday life would simply be Firstname C_lini.

Now, while my husband is of Italian descent, he is the only one in his family without a super Italian first name ([name_m]Bruce[/name_m]) and feels that this “waspy” or “English-sounding” name helped him not be judged by his ethnicity and not become a “[name_m]Gino[/name_m]”. He does feel Italians are discriminated against and teased, or are associated with shows like [name_u]Jersey[/name_u] shore, or are teased about having potential mob associations bc of shows like the Sopranos. I disagree and love Italian names, but have accepted that choosing a name like [name_m]Leonardo[/name_m] C–lini may be a little over the top Italian for us native English-speaking [name_u]North[/name_u] Americans.

I have wanted to avoid names that are very popular, on the top 100 list, if possible.

Here are names on our “longlist”:
[name_m]Roman[/name_m]
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u]
[name_m]Leo[/name_m] ([name_m]Leonardo[/name_m] as long version was vetoed)
[name_m]Orson[/name_m]
[name_m]Oscar[/name_m]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m]
[name_u]Rex[/name_u]
[name_m]Oliver[/name_m]
[name_m]Marcus[/name_m]

We have narrowed it down to: [name_m]Roman[/name_m], [name_m]Orson[/name_m], and [name_m]Oliver[/name_m].

[name_m]Oliver[/name_m] sounds nice with C–lini as I think the “L” sounds to well together. The problem I have is that [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] is a less distinctive name, is more popular, and it doesn’t seem as strong a name to me, or masculine enough. [name_u]Ollie[/name_u] is cute but I wonder if it is solid enough.

[name_m]Roman[/name_m] is a strong name and I think it suits the baby. However, we are worried that it is “too Italian” even though “[name_m]Romano[/name_m]” would be the Italian version, the name coming from “citizen of [name_m]Rome[/name_m]” might be too over the top, or trying to hard to be Italian, or having negative associations (like people saying the kid is destined to be a mob boss for eg). I like the idea of calling baby “[name_u]Romy[/name_u]” but I know this is a girl’s name, so maybe this won’t be possible…

[name_m]Orson[/name_m] is also a strong name. However, we are scared it is too out of left field? We are not sure what we prefer!

My husband likes [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] a lot, likely bc it’s an English name and avoids an Italian connotation, but I much prefer [name_m]Roman[/name_m] as I feel it sounds stronger and more “manly”, if I can say that.

So, my question is:

Should we go with [name_m]Roman[/name_m], [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], or [name_m]Orson[/name_m], or something on the long list?
Is [name_m]Roman[/name_m] C–lini too strongly ethnically Italian if we want our kid to just fit in with all kids and not be called a mobster?
Is [name_u]Romy[/name_u] too girly of a nickname?
Should we drop the middle name of Gianfranco or [name_m]Frank[/name_m]?

Your opinions and suggestions are so appreciated. Would love to have a fresh perspective.

Thank you

2

[name_m]Roman[/name_m], [name_m]Orson[/name_m], and [name_m]Oliver[/name_m]. I agree with al your concerns with [name_m]Oliver[/name_m]. You said you didn’t want a popular name and [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] feels popular (I don’t know the actual stats)

[name_m]Roman[/name_m] is not really my style but I do love the [name_u]Romy[/name_u] nn. I think it’s unisex rather than a girls name. Rom, [name_u]Roan[/name_u], or [name_f]Ro[/name_f] are other options. An Italian looking child called [name_m]Roman[/name_m] wouldn’t immediately make me think mobster or jersey shore, unless gold chains were involved! :slight_smile:

[name_m]Orson[/name_m] I love [name_m]Orson[/name_m]. I love the nn options of [name_u]Ori[/name_u] and [name_u]Sonny[/name_u]. I love that it means bear, that it is strong, masculine and has a great namesake. It’s my faveriot on your list.

[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] would possibly sound too British with the Italian surname? Maybe?

As for the mn it’s fine. I see no reason not to use it. Most people never know your mn. I sometimes call my daughter by her first and middle names but only at home.

Go with your heart on whatever you decide, I know comprise can be tough, my daughters name, [name_f]Ayla[/name_f] was on neither my, nor my husbands lists, but the older she gets the more I feel it suits her perfectly.

Good luck

3

[name_m]Just[/name_m] off the bat, I’m saddened that you feel you need to use an English name to avoid teasing for your son; that’s so wrong. What a reflection on today’s society! :frowning:
I personally love [name_m]Oliver[/name_m]. It is possibly more popular than you were hoping, but I think it’s lovely: handsome, strong, fun and timeless.
I would keep both middles if they have significance to you.
I also love [name_m]Oscar[/name_m]. [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] C–lini is fabulous.
I’m not a huge fan of [name_m]Orson[/name_m]: to me it sounds like arson. That’s probably just me though.
Some other suggestions (not sure if you’re open or not):
[name_m]Patrick[/name_m] Gianfranco T—ic C–lini
[name_m]Alexander[/name_m] Gianfranco T—ic C–lini
[name_u]Finley[/name_u] Gianfranco T—ic C–lini
[name_m]Julian[/name_m] Gianfranco T—ic C–lini
[name_m]Felix[/name_m] Gianfranco T—ic C–lini
[name_u]Max[/name_u] Gianfranco T—ic C–lini
[name_m]Anthony[/name_m] Gianfranco T—ic C–lini
[name_m]Joshua[/name_m] Gianfranco T—ic C–lini
[name_m]Matthew[/name_m] Gianfranco T—ic C–lini
Wonder if any of these appeal to you? Best of luck!

4

I really like [name_m]Roman[/name_m], [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] & [name_m]Oliver[/name_m].

I wouldn’t associate the name [name_m]Roman[/name_m] as an Italian name. I have a friend with this name who is of Irish background.

5

Second vote for [name_m]Oscar[/name_m]!! Sounds great with the last name, without the type of teasing potential you were worried about.
Like above suggestion [name_m]Felix[/name_m] too.
[name_m]Hugo[/name_m] could be added to the list, is a full name and has same vibe as [name_m]Leo[/name_m] without being over the top Italian.

6

[name_f]Love[/name_f] [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] but I also really like the suggestion of [name_m]Felix[/name_m]
[name_m]Felix[/name_m] C–lini sounds really good

7

I really love all the names you have picked.
[name_m]Felix[/name_m], [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] and [name_m]Roman[/name_m] are my favourites- and since [name_m]Roman[/name_m] made it onto your shortlist that will be my ultimate pick for you :slight_smile:

8

[name_m]Felix[/name_m], [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] and [name_m]Roman[/name_m] are my favorites. :]
Good luck naming your sweet baby boy!

9

I also love [name_m]Felix[/name_m] and it does sound great with our name, but my best friend named her son [name_m]Felix[/name_m] 6 weeks ago, so I feel I can’t do that.

10

I love [name_m]Orson[/name_m] for you. It’s such a handsome, underused name. Yes, it’s a little out of left field, but I love that! [name_m]Orson[/name_m] Gianfranco T_--ic C__lini is very strong and handsome. My second choice would be [name_m]Roman[/name_m], but [name_m]Roman[/name_m] Gianfranco T-_-ic C__lini does sound a bit over the top Italian to me.

[name_m]Oliver[/name_m] is a fine name but too popular for my taste… I also like [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] a lot, and it’s not as “out there” as [name_m]Orson[/name_m] is, maybe. Good luck!

11

I think that [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] or [name_m]Marcus[/name_m] would be perfect for you - they’re both strong, manly names (characteristics that seem important to you in a name). You have a really great list.

12

[name_m]Hi[/name_m],

Congratulations on your new arrival! I’m a huge fan of the name [name_u]Rowan[/name_u], I don’t really think [name_u]Brit[/name_u] when I hear it. I agree that it is a softer sound than [name_m]Roman[/name_m], but still a strong name. Your little guy could rock it.

I like [name_m]Roman[/name_m] and I don’t really think Italian when I hear it. I think the name has been around enough to shed that exclusive association. Paired with an Italian last night, I think it’s okay. I mean, yes, it does suggest an Italian family and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. You love the name, it represents his family and heritage, it suits him, then go for it!

I prefer [name_m]Orson[/name_m] over [name_m]Oliver[/name_m].

13

[name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_m]Ronin[/name_m] or [name_m]Ronan[/name_m]? I really like the suggestion of [name_m]Oscar[/name_m], too. [name_m]Orson[/name_m] is also great.

14

I think [name_m]Orson[/name_m] Gianfranco C. would be wonderful. [name_m]Orson[/name_m] is strong and masculine without going overboard in the machismo department (I thinking of [name_m]Roman[/name_m] here). It’s a rare name but yet familiar to most people. I love [name_m]Oscar[/name_m], [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] and [name_m]Marcus[/name_m] too.

15

I think of [name_m]Roman[/name_m] as more Latin than Italian despite the obvious connection. I don’t think it sounds “over-the-top” Italian at all.

Depending on the flow with whichever name you go with, you might want to consider [name_m]Frank[/name_m] in the second spot instead of Gianfranco, just to trim down the length of the name. I think [name_m]Orson[/name_m] [name_m]Frank[/name_m] or [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] [name_m]Frank[/name_m] would be really cute.