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Name Help: Trilingual SOS

June 12, 2020 By appellationmountain 50 Comments

Name Help: Trilingual sister for OliviaName Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, one reader’s name questions will be discussed.

We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight!

Laura writes:

Please, we need your help!

We are looking for a trilingual name for Olivia’s sister.

I am Spanish and my husband Italian. We currently live in the UK and I’m 25 weeks pregnant with our second daughter.

We named our first born Olivia which seemed to fulfill the many requirements we have regarding names criteria. We still love the name although we know is really popular in USA and UK, it’s only starting to rise now in our countries of origin.

We ALWAYS thought we would name the new baby Ágata (like the stone). We thought it was strong and elegant and it seemed perfect with Olivia! However, after reading all the negative comments online I have sadly been a bit put off.

So, here is our criteria list. Really hope you can help:

  1. It has to be able to be pronounced in Spanish, English, and Italian.
  2. Not biblical/religious.
  3. As strong and long as Olivia if possible.
  4. Not too popular (not too unusual either).
  5. International vibe (not too easily linked to a specific country).
  6. With a nice meaning.

Other names we love but cannot use, as have been used by friends already, are Gala, Greta, Heidi, Martina, and Valeria.

Our families strongly dislike Ágata and Greta.

They like Maia, which we like too but think it doesn’t sound as strong as Olivia plus it’s quite popular too!

Maybe Elvia?

Thanks in advance for your help. I just feel a bit confused at the minute and I feel it is important to own a nice name that doesn’t need spelling every time but will still have character.

Please read on for my response, and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

Dear Laura –

Congratulations on your second daughter!

Naming across languages can pose a challenge. Happily, Spanish, Italian, and English are rich with crossover possibilities.

Let’s talk about your favorites first.

First, are you sure you want to give up on Agata?

We often react negatively to unfamiliar names. But I’m guessing the people in your life would warm to it quickly.

Agatha is out of favor at the moment – though I’m a big fan, and keep putting it on my comeback lists.) I know you’re thinking Agata, like the stone, but the similarity to Agatha might explain some of the reaction.

But in general, unusual names take a little more effort. You have to be willing to spell them, and repeat them. It helps to be comfortable when others ask about them, too.

So while I’m not ruling Agata out, let’s move on …

So how ’bout Elvia?

Here’s thing about Elvia … it’s really, really close to Olivia.

They both start with a vowel + an L.

They both end with -via.

If I say them quickly, with some background noise, they sound almost identical.

And, because Elvia is a much less familiar name, I think it will be misheard as Olivia an awful lot. I think that’s a recipe for sibling resentment. Unless, of course, you plan to call her Ellie 99% of the time? But then I think you’d have the same challenge as Maia … it’s not a bad name, but it disappears a little next to the rich sounds of Olivia.

More names that go with Olivia …

Aurora – It’s rising in use in English, and big in Italian. I don’t see it heavily used in Spanish, but it seems to be known. And I do feel like I’ve heard it used in bilingual families. Like Olivia, Aurora is a longer name with a distinctive sound. And the meaning is great: dawn.

Lucia – Lucia and Olivia are a little close in sound, but I don’t think they’re too close. The meaning is perfect – light – and it works across all three languages, with slight differences in pronunciation.

Marina – Is Marina a little dated in Italy? I can’t tell from the data. It seems a little more current in Spain. And it’s certainly a pan-European name, heard across multiple languages. Strictly speaking, it’s probably a form of Marius, from the Roman god Mars. But most people will associated it with marine, and the sea.

Noemi – I’m hearing Noemi – the Spanish and Italian (and French) form of Naomi more and more. And while Naomi remains more familiar in English, this name works every bit as well. The meaning – pleasant – is another plus.

Sofia – I know, I know. Sofia is wildly popular, all over the world. But that’s part of what makes Sofia so travel-ready. It works across multiple languages, plus it has a great meaning: wisdom. If you haven’t minded Olivia sharing her name with other girls, I think Sofia might deserve a second look.

Valentina – Like Valeria, this name comes from the Latin word for strength. So that’s a rock solid meaning. It’s another name that crosses cultural barriers easily, working in English, Spanish, and Italian with very little alteration. And Valentina’s long, dramatic sound is a perfect match with big sister Olivia.

If it’s not obvious, I think Valentina is the perfect match for Olivia. It would recognized through Europe, as well as the English and Spanish-speaking worlds. The meaning is perfect, and the sound is every bit as appealing as Olivia, without being too close to her sister’s name.

But I know our readers will have some other suggestions, so let’s turn it over to the community.

What would you name a sister for Olivia that works in English, Italian, and Spanish?

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  • Name Help: Third Baby, First Girl!Name Help: Third Baby, First Girl!

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Comments

  1. BSharp says

    June 17, 2020 at 3:31 PM

    We have an Ilaria. Olivia and Ilaria share a rhythm but the first two consonants are different enough to hear when yelling across the park, which matters!

    Mila, Vera, and Silvia, as others mentioned, seem like a good fit.

    Maria or Mariana or Mariel (I dearly love Mariel) are classics but, at least here, not common.

    Caterina?

    Reply
  2. G says

    June 17, 2020 at 8:39 AM

    Alessia
    Paloma
    Vida
    Micaela
    Gianna
    Evianna

    Reply
  3. MB says

    June 16, 2020 at 9:59 PM

    Valencia was the first name that popped into my head, I don’t know if you have any ties to the city. I think it is beautiful with Olivia though! Secondly, I love the recommendations of Valentina and Violetta – apparently I really like V names for you!

    Reply
  4. Nicole says

    June 15, 2020 at 5:57 AM

    Indira
    Mara
    Iolanda
    Sabina
    Victoria
    Matilda
    Carola
    Carolina
    Isadora
    Frida
    Luna
    Marlena
    Daria
    Dalia
    Violetta
    Elisa
    Gemma
    Alba
    Fatima
    Penelope
    Mafalda
    Rebecca
    Fiona
    Cassandra

    Reply
  5. Nicole says

    June 15, 2020 at 5:54 AM

    Some other nicknames that might work for Emilia are Ema, Emme, Emmy, Ela, Mimi, Mila, Milla, Lia, Mia.
    Nina could be short for Valentina

    Reply
  6. Megan says

    June 15, 2020 at 2:27 AM

    I don’t think Amelia is too similar to Olivia, rather it is perfectly paired. However, would it bother you to have a name that is pronounced differently depending on which language is being spoken?

    What about Alina? It’s pronounced the same in all three languages, and shares meaning with Adele.

    Elyzabel/Elisabel is a bit quirkier, and I think would be pronounced the same.

    Also I saw Seraphina/Serafina and Esmerelda and thought those were great as well, though the second e in Esmerelda would be slightly different between languages.

    Reply
  7. Edie says

    June 14, 2020 at 6:19 PM

    Would Cressida or Miranda work? They would share a Shakespearean connection with Olivia, as well as being pronounceable across all three languages…

    Reply
  8. Genevieve says

    June 13, 2020 at 7:29 PM

    Our girl is Amaya (rhyming with Papaya) and that would go well with Olivia!

    Reply
  9. Laura says

    June 13, 2020 at 5:10 PM

    Thank you all so much for your comments an ideas! As Dr Akward said, some very good ones! It’s definitely going to be a hard choice but you have given us loads of good names to consider.
    Thanks again X

    Reply
  10. Dr. Awkward says

    June 13, 2020 at 10:54 AM

    Lots of great ideas here! As an American living in a very international European city, I’ll also recommend my own name, Veronica; it’s easily pronounced across many cultures, it’s long & flowing like Olivia (and shares the “v” sound), it’s neither too popular nor too unusual, and it has two nice meanings (either “true image” or “bringer of victory”). True, there is a Saint Veronica, but Veronica does not appear in the canonical gospels so it’s not really a Bible name. And it’s quite similar to Valeria.

    Otherwise, I keep coming back to names like Simona, Sabrina, Selena, Serena. Or maybe even Verena! Lovely and a bit quirky.

    Reply
  11. Em says

    June 13, 2020 at 10:38 AM

    Catalina

    Reply
  12. The Mrs. says

    June 13, 2020 at 12:34 AM

    I have yet to read the other replies, so if this is redundant, my apologies.

    Do you like Aurelia? The golden meaning is lovely, and I think it meets all your other criteria.
    Olivia and Aurelia.

    Congrats and best wishes!

    Reply
  13. Taylor says

    June 13, 2020 at 12:05 AM

    My husband is from the Balkans, so we wanted pan European names that didn’t feel too heavily Slavic. Our daughters are Cecilia Vera and Helena. All would work for your criteria, I think! Other names I considered
    Lydia/Lidia
    Violeta
    Josefina
    Aida
    Daphne
    Petra
    Georgina/Georgiana

    Reply
  14. Tiffany says

    June 12, 2020 at 11:49 PM

    I commented on the Facebook post that I am fond of the two female characters in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night: Olivia and Viola.

    Reply
  15. Julie G says

    June 12, 2020 at 10:37 PM

    Adela
    Aurelia
    Elliana/Ellianna

    Reply
  16. Sarah says

    June 12, 2020 at 7:38 PM

    Have you considered Adriana?

    Reply
  17. FE says

    June 12, 2020 at 6:57 PM

    I only speak Australian English, but wondered if Louisa, Clara or Susannah might work?

    Beautiful names with Olivia, easily recognised, but not as commonly used (here, anyway).

    Reply
  18. Erin Beth says

    June 12, 2020 at 6:13 PM

    Apologies for repeats:
    Claudia
    Dorotea/Dorothea
    Clarissa

    Reply
    • Laura says

      June 14, 2020 at 9:16 AM

      Repeats are good, it means there’s something about those names which definitely works! Lol thanks X

      Reply
  19. Liz says

    June 12, 2020 at 4:16 PM

    FWIW I love Agata! I had not heard that before. Also suggesting Agnes, Alma, Leonie, and Melina.

    Reply
    • Maree says

      June 14, 2020 at 1:10 AM

      I came to recommend Agnes! I know it is different in all three languages but it would be so sweet! It would be like each family/parent has their own nickname for her.

      Reply
    • Laura says

      June 14, 2020 at 9:12 AM

      Awwww Thanks,Liz! X

      Reply
  20. Sara L. Uckelman says

    June 12, 2020 at 3:50 PM

    Luckily, pretty much any Latin form of a common feminine name will be suitable for all three language/cultures!

    But I would recommend Serena if they want to trend modern, and Cecilia if they want to trend classic.

    Reply
  21. ab says

    June 12, 2020 at 3:38 PM

    I know next to nothing about Spanish names and only a little bit about Italian names, but these are ones I like that might go nicely with Olivia.

    Allegra
    Andrea — pronounced ahn DRAY uh, which to my ear sounds “European” rather than the U.S. pronunciation of AN dree uh
    Antonella
    Antonia
    Bianca / Blanca
    Elisabetta — this might have too many religious connections
    Francesca — my favorite Italian name
    Leonor — definitely Spanish, as it’s the name of Leonor, Princess of Asturias
    Violetta
    Viviana — maybe too many Vs or too similar to Olivia?

    Best wishes to you, your husband and big sister-to-be Olivia.

    Reply
  22. renchickadee says

    June 12, 2020 at 3:34 PM

    I met a young Italian Agata about 20 years ago who was raised in the US. She had been called Agatha for so long that she just introduced herself that way and didn’t seem to care. But maybe the modern English-speaking peers of an Agata would do a better job of getting her name right?

    Could Augusta replace Agata? It has a great meaning, but I don’t know anything about its popularity or quirkiness in countries where romance languages are spoken. It feels like the kind of quirky I would like to hear in English.

    Reply
  23. J says

    June 12, 2020 at 1:47 PM

    Here are some names that strike me as long, strong, and cross-cultural, and maybe a little bit quirky, too.

    Olivia and Rosalia
    Olivia and Celestia
    Olivia and Celestina
    Olivia and Seraphina
    Olivia and Augustine
    Olivia and Fortuna
    Olivia and Susanna
    Olivia and Alegria
    Olivia and Allegra

    Best of luck

    Reply
  24. Cece says

    June 12, 2020 at 1:39 PM

    We’re an Italian/English/US citizenship family so no Spanish to consider but similar, although we also wanted to consider names of Hebrew origin because our kids are partly Jewish. For what it’s worth I LOVE Agatha and it was my husband’s top choice in my last pregnancy (we had a boy).

    Other names on our list:
    Margot (my daughter’s name)
    Nina
    Rafaela
    Anya
    Sylvia/Silvia
    Coralie
    Ida
    Beatrice
    Vita/Vida
    Flora
    Anouk

    Reply
  25. Allison says

    June 12, 2020 at 12:55 PM

    We have a bilingual household (Spanish and English), and our daughters are Adele and Margo (without the “t” because in Spanish it would be pronounced Mar-GOT, not the sound we’re going for). I think either of these names would work with Olivia! The Spanish version of Adele, Adela, would also sound nice.
    Other names on our running bilingual list include:
    Andrea
    Colette
    Camila
    Calista
    Samantha
    Gabriela
    Rosalind/Rosalie
    Marietta
    Tessa
    Luna
    Daphne
    Luisa
    Ariel

    Reply
    • Laura says

      June 12, 2020 at 1:17 PM

      Thanks,Allison! Gorgeous names! Adele has always been one of my favourites! I’m not much of a fan of the Spanish version though. I think there’s always cultural assciations to names that we might not we aware of and I’m finding it really hard. For example, I would have never thought Agatha had so many opposers…
      Thanks again, some food for thought here X

      Reply
  26. Jean C. says

    June 12, 2020 at 12:53 PM

    I like: Fernanda, Marisol, Aurelia, Ramona, Zola. I also love Xiomara, but am uncertain of how it works in Italian.

    Reply
  27. Taylor says

    June 12, 2020 at 12:03 PM

    Might be a repeat but Stella? Tamara?

    Reply
  28. Laura says

    June 12, 2020 at 12:02 PM

    Hi everyone,
    Thank you all for your comments. It is really helpful and I really appreciate it.
    There’s some very pretty options you have suggested like Sofia, Valentina, Isabella, Emilia, etc
    Is there something a bit quirkier we could consider? Other names we adore but don’t really work are Freya, Juniper or Greta.
    Thanks again for your support! X

    Reply
    • Brenna says

      June 12, 2020 at 1:20 PM

      Freya, Juniper, and Greta are all great! In that vein, maybe you’d consider:

      Emerald: so lovely! And a much stronger association to the stone than anything else
      Zelda: a personal favorite–strong and historical with that fun z sound
      Ruby: short but strong!
      Tabitha: I’m not sure how the “th” would play in Italian or Spanish, but a lovely pair in English with Olivia
      Odette: Great Swan Lake reference, easy to pronounce and spell, fun alliteration with Olivia
      Flora: Classic, reminds me a bit of Freya
      Azalea: Long, flowing, floral, and a little different.

      Best of luck!

      Reply
    • Sara L. Uckelman says

      June 12, 2020 at 3:53 PM

      How about “Ginevra” instead of Juniper?

      Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      June 12, 2020 at 4:20 PM

      I love Agata and Greta. How about Leonie or Gemma (my second daughters name)?

      Reply
  29. keats says

    June 12, 2020 at 11:45 AM

    I really adore Valentina. I think it works beautifully. And Sofia is timeless.

    My immediate thought was Silvia too. While the English spelling tends to go with the y, it is completely recognizable and pronounceable with the i. Plus, with Sylvia Plath being one of the more recognizable Silvias, it is definitely a substantial name.

    Lastly the other Italian / Spanish / English family we know choose Cecilia. Olivia and Cecilia sound well paired as well.

    Reply
  30. X says

    June 12, 2020 at 10:47 AM

    I think Agata is lovely, it’s just so vintage and underused, let haters be haters! From Abby’s post, I think the suggestion of Valentina sounds perfect for a sister for Olivia too.
    Other names:
    Rafaela
    Oriana
    Mileva
    Elara
    Florence
    Imogen (same vibe as Agatha)
    Thalia
    Estrella/Estelle
    Ariadne
    Faustine
    Arabella
    Rosmerta
    Odessa
    Theodosia

    Reply
    • Laura says

      June 12, 2020 at 11:14 AM

      Wow thanks a lot! So many good suggestions here to consider! Really appreciate it X

      Reply
  31. Em says

    June 12, 2020 at 10:13 AM

    Isabella is what came to mind for me. It’s popular but beautiful and seems to go well with Olivia.

    I know a teenage Agata. I think it works!

    Reply
  32. Meredith says

    June 12, 2020 at 9:16 AM

    Love Silvia and Sofia as previously suggested.

    Alma
    Francesca
    Perla

    Reply
  33. Claire says

    June 12, 2020 at 8:55 AM

    Thinking of the olive fruit tree, nature and symbols of life, I hear Silvia and Olivia, Hazel and Olivia, Zoe and Olivia.

    Congrats on your second baby girl!!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      June 12, 2020 at 8:57 AM

      Awwww absolutely love Hazel but wouldn’t work in Spain and Italy. No one in our families would be able to pronounce it! Although I might consider it

      Reply
      • Claire says

        June 12, 2020 at 6:01 PM

        aww right like the accent would be charming but I’m sure some family would just use a nickname. Excited for you!

        Reply
  34. CA says

    June 12, 2020 at 8:12 AM

    Agata is relatively popular in the Czech Republic, where we currently live (though I’m from the US). I know quite a few little Agata’s (and teenagers too). I really like it! It’s one I would put on our list to consider since we are a bilingual family too. So my first vote would be to keep Agata on the table. Olivia and Agata are lovely together!

    We have a Mariel, which works really well in many languages. (As in Mariel Hemingway; Mariel Bay, Cuba). I think it’s strong and lovely (I’m obviously biased!) – it’s recognizable, but not common (though she does get called Muriel from time to time, but most people get it quickly and have no problems with it). She’s a teenager now and loves her name! Mariella would be a beautiful sister for Olivia too!

    From Abby’s suggestions, I particularly love Lucia, Aurora, and Valentina!

    How about:

    Susanna(h)
    Esmerelda (a bit fanciful, though Olivia and Esmerelda is beautiful – and Esme could be a great nickname)
    Catalina (one of my favorites!)
    Milena (I see this a lot in bilingual families)
    Adriana
    Helena
    Honora
    Ramona
    Nikola
    Liliana
    Paloma
    Rosa

    Reply
    • Laura says

      June 12, 2020 at 8:26 AM

      Awww thanks for your lovely comment! What a lovely name Mariel is!
      What I worry about with Agata is that, apparently, people seem to link it to the martyr (or to Águeda,Agnes etc) rather than the stone. I think that is a bit much of a religious association for my liking…
      Emilia and Valentina were in or original list too.
      However, isn’t Emilia too close to Olivia too? What will nicknames be like other than Millie?
      Valentina is way too popular in Spain and Italy but still beautiful, a bit like the case with Olivia. But she will be called Vale in Italy and Tina in Spain which I’m not particularly keen on… Any other suggestions? Maybe Valya?
      Aurora is really not an option for me, sorry I know it’s becoming well known in the English language but it sounds very dated in Spanish.
      Thanks a lot to everyone for their help!!!

      Reply
      • Katherine says

        June 12, 2020 at 7:29 PM

        We have an Amelia, often called Amelita by her father and Spanish speaking family members. We sometimes call her Ame, pronounced as the first two syllables of Amelita (not like Amy.) People picked up on the nickname quickly. However, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to realize I don’t really need a nickname for her and usually just use and prefer her full name. No one has ever called her Millie. So don’t let nicknames stop you from using Emilia if that’s the hitch!

        Reply
  35. Fiona Golchert says

    June 12, 2020 at 8:11 AM

    Carlotta? Valentina?

    Reply
  36. Ainsley says

    June 12, 2020 at 8:10 AM

    Miranda and Emilia first came to mind for me

    Reply
  37. Iris says

    June 12, 2020 at 7:56 AM

    So many possibilities:
    Isabella
    Nadia (means Hope)
    Rosa
    Laura
    Matilde (means strong in battle)
    Iris (means rainbow)
    Elena (means light)
    Alexandra (means helper)
    Felicia (means happy)
    Flora
    Rita (means pearl)
    And I loved Aurora from Abby’s list.

    Reply
    • Laura Elise says

      July 9, 2020 at 11:37 PM

      I love:
      Talia
      Elise
      Paloma
      Miranda

      Reply

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