Mercedes, Bellissima, or something else?

[r_j]

Love the nickname Sadie for Mercedes, which the pp mentioned. Sure, I think of the car at some level, but I also know it's a valid name. I prefer Mercedes over Bellissima. And the suggestion of Valentina.

Good luck!

[ksheja]

Mercedes is fine (since the car was named after a person named Mercedes - which is a traditional Spanish name - i don't think car when I hear it). I wouldn't use Belissima, though. There are plenty of long, gorgeous Italian names, like Alessandra, Giuliana, Adrianna. I also love the suggestion of Valentina.

[miloowen]

I agree with most of the posters. Having lived in both Spain and Italy, I can say that Mercedes is a lovely name, very traditional and an honorific of Mary, while Bellissima is just a word name, meaning most pretty, which would be difficult if your child wasn't, right? Also, it's not a name in Italy. If people think too much of the car Mercedes (and its Fascist connections), you could go with the Catalan Merce (with the accent grave on the last e), which is a beautiful name in its own right. Also, the Italian version of this name is Grazia or Graziella (very great Italian soprano named Graziella Sciutti). Lastly, as virtue names are making a comeback, plain Puritan Mercy would make a lovely choice too.

Other Italian names:

Aurelia
Alba
Donatella
Marcella
Fabrizia
Elisabetta
Maurizia
Francesca
Giulietta
Paolina
Massima
Lucia
Oriana

[freckles]

Both are very bold choices. I think, depending on where you're located, you'll encounter mostly car-related associations with Mercedes. Also, will your Italian husband be using an Italian pronounciation (mer-chay-des)? I think Bellissima is a bit much. How about Bellina? It translates to "little beauty" and I think would work better pronounciation-wise and is also a bit more subtle. Other Italian -bel names include Annabella, Isabella (very popular), Mirabella, Rosabella (Bellarosa could be pretty too). Of course there's tons of other Italian names with a similar style to Bellissima - Massima, Fiorella, Viviana, Ottavia, Rafaella, Violetta, etc.

[holey]

Bellissima is a bit ridiculous to me. It's kind of equivalent to American kids named "Princess," or if you lived in Italy and named your daughter "Superpretty." I'd stick with Bella, which I think is a great name.

Agreed - Bellissima strikes me as ridiculous and over-the-top. Bella or Mercedes are both good choices.

[ceecee]

I like Mercedes a lot. Bellissima sounds pretty but doesn't look nice aesthetically to me, although I speak absolutely no Italian so maybe that's why?!

Hi---How do you pronounce
Aoife and Oisin?

[miloowen]

Ava and Ossian.

[sweetpea3]

thanks for all your responses! i'll guess we'll see what we pick! too much time left to pick now :P