middle name issue

PepVeroni

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! 

plunderb

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).

kayjay10

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?

Helenahhandbasket

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

 

Pumpkins+Junebug

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. 

blu-eyedwife

Is there an Italian equivalent to Jovie?  Like Giovi?  That would work with the first names you have.

neverblushed

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! 

Elsa1984

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.

Elsa1984

For Lucy, you could do Lucille Giovanna and use Lucy as a nickname

PepVeroni

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! 

hisboops813

Elizabeth, Ann, Lynn, or Rose. I know  they are traditional but work with the name ending in a.

xkittyxbearx

What about thinking of some tweaks for the middle name if you're really set on the firsts, something like Gienne for a girl