Opera Baby Names
- Giovanna
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of GiovanniDescription:
Like Galilea and Livia, one of the Italian names that fashionable American parents—with or without Italian roots—have started to choose for their daughters. It has endured ups and downs since entering the popularity charts in 1991.
- Andres
Origin:
Spanish form of AndrewMeaning:
"strong and manly"Description:
The Spanish form of Andrew is popular enough in the US to rank near the Top 200. As Andrew, Andy, and Drew feel less fresh, Andres is still up-and-coming, with a global feel that could travel well anywhere. Andres has been used in the US dating all the way back to when name data began to be kept, and has never fallen out of the Top 1000. Despite this, it has only been since the 90s that Andres has cracked the Top 200. Andre is a similar-sounding alternative that has French and Portuguese roots.
- Silvio
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese form of SilviusMeaning:
"wood, forest"Description:
Shiny and sylvan choice.
- Boris
Origin:
SlavicMeaning:
"to fight"Description:
Boris is one of the old Russian names being revived by chic Europeans; it hasn't quite made a comeback yet in the U.S., but it does have potential.
- Claudius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"lame; enclosure"Description:
Claudius is one of the most user-friendly of the ancient Roman names – even though it's associated with the villainous character in Shakespeare's Hamlet. But as with feminine form Claudia, the "lame" meaning may stymie the rise of Claudius. Some etymologists theorize that the name may relate to the word for enclosure or clause, an alternate meaning that may appeal to a child with a form of this otherwise-appealing name.
- Gunther
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"battle warrior"Description:
When it's spelled with two dots over the 'u' in German, Gunther is pronounced GUWN-ter, but it has a much softer sound when the 'h' is voiced by English-speakers, as it was, for example, for the name of a character in Friends.
- Elettra
Origin:
Italian variation of Latin ElectraMeaning:
"shining, bright"Description:
Less electric and melodramatic, more serene, than Electra. Isabella Rossellini's daughter (and Ingrid Bernman's granddaughter) is named Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann.
- Rosina
- Tybalt
Origin:
Medieval form of TheobaldMeaning:
"from bold people"Description:
Similar in sound to the French "Thibault", which is far more popular, Tybalt is best known as the bloodlustful and brawling cousin of Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Perhaps this connotation has kept parents from using Tybalt. However, given the recent fad for all things Theo, Tybalt might offer a familiar yet unusual option for parents who like the meaning but want to swim against the current. Cute nicknames Ty and Tibby might also appeal.
- Silvano
Origin:
Italian form of SilvanusMeaning:
"wood, forest"Description:
Silvanus was the Roman god of the forests and is also an alternate name in the New Testament for Silas. Relatives include Silvio, Silvius, and Sylvia.
- Gilda
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"covered with gold"Description:
Gilda, although related to the words gold and gilded, has definitely tarnished. It once shimmered with the seductive image of Rita Hayworth in the film Gilda, then was associated with the beloved early Saturday Night Live star Gilda Radner. In opera, Gilda lives on as the name of the daughter of Rigoletto.
- Basilio
Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of Basil, GreekMeaning:
"regal"Description:
A rare and romantic take on Basil.
- Maddalena
- Fiorello
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"little flower"Description:
Fiorello is one of the few floral names that works well for a boy. The colorful three-term World War II New York Mayor La Guardia made this one famous -- in fact he was nicknamed "the Little Flower". His life was the basis for the 1959 musical called, appropriately, "Fiorello!"
- Floria
- Musetta
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"little muse"Description:
A musette is both a dance and an antique instrument, but the name is most associated with the classic opera La Bohème.
- Ramiro
Origin:
PortugueseMeaning:
"great judge"Description:
Familiar as a Latin surname but has potential as a first.
- Benoît
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"blessed"Description:
A French form of Benedict that makes a smooth and elegant choice, although the pronunciation may trip people up in an English speaking environment.
- Drago
Origin:
Croatian, Serbian, Slovene, BulgarianMeaning:
"precious, dear"Description:
Drago sounds fierce but has a sweet meaning. It may be used as a standalone name or as a short form of other Slavic names beginning with the element dragu "dear", such as Dragoljub or Dragomir.
- Bello
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"handsome, beautiful"Description:
Bello is as handsome as Bella is beautiful, but rarely heard outside the Italian community. With its energetic 'o' ending, it could be ripe for export.