Get The Bump digital magazine >

tools: Pregnancy Calendar | Baby Namer | Gender Chart | How Big is Baby?

community

all boards


birth clubs


nest boards


my blog

my photos

my boards


200+ Easy Weeknight Meals!

Green living: Eco-friendly tips & tricks!

< Previous topic | Next topic >

All Boards > Baby Names

Sort:
12-03-2012 at 1:57 PM
PepVeroni
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-31-2009
368 Posts
5,488 Points
PepVeroni is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 4:22 PMNewbie

middle name issue

I'd really like to use the name Giovanni (Jo-VAH-nee) or Giovanna (Jo-VAH-nuh) for a middle name to honor my grandfather, who was Giovanni but went by Johnny.

I think it would work with most of our boy name options, but the majority of the girl names on our list end in 'A' and thus sound sort of silly with Giovanna after them.

Examples: Julia, Eliza, Elena, Tessa, Mara.

I also like Lucy and Molly, but not as much as the aforementioned options.

Any suggestions for an alternate middle name that still honors my grandfather?  Gianna won't work for the same reason.  Maybe there is no other reasonable choice.

Thanks! 
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Pregnancy Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-03-2012 at 2:05 PM
plunderb
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-22-2010
Boston
4,976 Posts
36,592 Points
plunderb is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 11:19 AMSilver

The double -a endings don't bother me much — I think the meaning of a middle name is more important than the flow.

Would you consider Elizabeth nn Eliza? Elizabeth Giovanna is lovely.

You could also use your grandfather's surname as the middle name (I have my mom's maiden name as my middle name).

Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
Baby Name Popularity by State 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-03-2012 at 2:13 PM
kayjay10
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-13-2010
NC
2,123 Posts
20,312 Points
kayjay10 is not online. Last active: 05-16-2013, 2:23 PMSilver
Would you consider tweaking the first names a little?  Juliet instead of Julia, Elise instead of Eliza, Elaine instead of Elena, Tess instead of Tessa?
TTC since 11/2008 BFP 1/8/10...MC 1/15/10 BFP 3/20/10...MC 6/24/10 BFP 12/13/10...EDD 8/22/11...DD born 6/7/11 @ 29 weeks 1 day Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-03-2012 at 2:22 PM
Helenahhan...
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-20-2012
3,301 Posts
58,537 Points
Helenahhandbasket is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 1:02 PMSilver

Funny-- I sort of have the same thing going on.  My paternal grandmother was Giovanna, and we would use either that or Giovanni (depending on gender-obvi), only my last name rhymes with Giovanni. 

I think we might use it anyway, which I think is exactly what you should do.

Otherwise, I believe the English translation of Giovanna is Joan (someone correct me if I am wrong here).  So maybe:

Eliza Joan

Elena Joan

Tessa Joan

Mara Joan

 
Married 11/23/07 BFP 1- EDD 2/09/11 Missed MC DX @11 weeks D&C- 7/25/10 BFP 2- EDD 12/22/11 Natural MC @ 5w 2d BFP 3- EDD 1/25/12 DD Josephine born 1/16/12 Lilypie Second Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-03-2012 at 2:57 PM
Pumpkins+J...
Not Ranked
Joined on 11-28-2012
111 Posts
2,043 Points
Pumpkins+Junebug is not online. Last active: 03-18-2013, 12:11 PMNewbie

See I think Tessa Giovanna sounds very pretty. IMO as long as the names have different numbers of syllables and different beginnings, the double-A endings are okay. 

I also love the suggestion of Elizabeth Giovanna NN Eliza. 
D is 3, A is 1
Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-03-2012 at 4:11 PM
blu-eyedwi...
Top 50 Contributor
Joined on 08-24-2006
San Diego
25,776 Posts
80,762 Points
blu-eyedwife is not online. Last active: 05-21-2013, 9:31 PMPlatinum
Is there an Italian equivalent to Jovie?  Like Giovi?  That would work with the first names you have.
Master of Disguise

 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-03-2012 at 4:30 PM
neverblush...
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-25-2002
4,844 Posts
10,697 Points
neverblushed is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 4:53 PMSilver

I am usually really picky about how names "flow" together, but I am not at all bothered by the whole first name, middle name both ending in A thing.

However, I would not go with:

Julia Giovanna -- too much alliteration 

Elena Giovanna -- na at the end makes them too rhyme-y and similar

I really like the other three name combos! 
Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers

Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-03-2012 at 6:02 PM
Elsa1984
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-19-2011
4,989 Posts
52,456 Points
Elsa1984 is not online. Last active: 05-21-2013, 1:44 PMSilver
I agree with the previous poster in altering the name. You could use Elizabeth Giovanna as a legal name, but "Eliza" as a nickname when people don't normally say a full name anyway. At school and to everyone else she would be Eliza Smith. On paper for things when, lets say, she is graduating or getting married or something....when she would be including her middle name, you would see Elizabeth Giovanna Smith.
Image and video hosting by TinyPic 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-03-2012 at 6:04 PM
Elsa1984
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-19-2011
4,989 Posts
52,456 Points
Elsa1984 is not online. Last active: 05-21-2013, 1:44 PMSilver
For Lucy, you could do Lucille Giovanna and use Lucy as a nickname
Image and video hosting by TinyPic 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-03-2012 at 7:42 PM
PepVeroni
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-31-2009
368 Posts
5,488 Points
PepVeroni is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 4:22 PMNewbie

Thanks for the great responses!  I do like Elizabeth, nn Eliza - could work!

Not a huge fan of Juliet or Elise though, but I can see how some of these might work with the double A ending.  Definitely not Julia, though.

Also not sure about Giovi - I was wondering about whether that might be an acceptable nickname.  Maybe Joan.

Lots to think about, but I'm feeling more encouraged! 
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Pregnancy Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-04-2012 at 2:30 PM
hisboops81...
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-25-2008
Rahway, NJ
153 Posts
3,457 Points
hisboops813 is not online. Last active: 03-29-2013, 7:22 AMNewbie
Elizabeth, Ann, Lynn, or Rose. I know  they are traditional but work with the name ending in a.
Jenn IAmPregnant Ticker BabyFruit Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-05-2012 at 8:55 PM
xkittyxbea...
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-12-2010
25 Posts
483 Points
xkittyxbearx is not online. Last active: 01-27-2013, 8:44 PMNewbie
What about thinking of some tweaks for the middle name if you're really set on the firsts, something like Gienne for a girl
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board

most active posters
sunlavende...
967 posts
BayleighPa...
914 posts
minicheezb...
416 posts
sheacox
372 posts
Nest Cayla
367 posts
*Mrs*Rohrb...
237 posts
Love4Labs3...
202 posts
jertie
107 posts
KimberHill...
71 posts
sarisosrWe...
50 posts

connect with these online bumpies
mnbv9502! katmac17
BeachBabe22 wifeofafarmer
Cristnata cjm724
MrsHughesNC nfp147
MrsN052408 hijoi
elmoali wheeee780
RibbitGrl930 melissau1981
Mom2Oli ssublett09
lolambean jason&tracie
crystaladult kread8
mkarns HatchetFace
fluttergirlmoonchild79 AngLK987
abs1978 KrystaJ
tokenhoser TandCplus1
mmarie2 cedenton
From The Nest Boards:
"Is this a reasonable goal?"
WhiteOrchid. on Health & Fitness

"Had the ‘talk’ with my son yesterday."
sahmonabudget on Married Life