(no subject)

[missj0nes.livejournal.com]

I need your advice. I have fallen in love with the name Matteo, which is an Italian name. I, however, have no connection to Italy; I live in Scandinavia and have no ancestors from Southern Europe. Should I give up on Matteo or would you say it doesn't matter? I worry people will always assume he's Italian or ask about his name.

Comments

[snoglobel.livejournal.com]

It might be different, since I'm in America not Scandinavia, but I don't think it's a bad name to use even if you aren't Italian.

I know a Patrick who's totally Greek and not Irish at all. And I know a Luka who's not Italian. I even know a Juan who's not hispanic in any way.

Matteo strikes me as a name that is ethnic but no so much so that no-one else can use it, if that makes sense. I say go for it, if you love it.

[missj0nes.livejournal.com]

I sometimes wish I lived in the US because it's so diverse. At least it would seem to be a better place to use ethnic names :)

[pleasure-past.livejournal.com]

I usually say that if the name is in the same racial category (Italians are white/European and so are Scandinavians.) it's okay, but in this case it might be something to think about a little more just because people are fairly likely to be able to tell that your son is not Italian, so he might get asked about it a lot. One of my top names is French and I don't have a drop of French blood in me, but I'm white and I live in the US and the odds are very slim that anyone will be able to tell that I don't have French heritage.

On the other hand, if I had just seen Matteo written down somewhere, I wouldn't have known right away that it's Italian. It's possible that no one will ever think twice about it. I can't really say what the average Scandinavian's reaction will be, though, and that's probably what matters more to you.

[avec-bonheur.livejournal.com]

This.

[missj0nes.livejournal.com]

I think most people would know from his looks he isn't Italian because we're slightly pale up North, haha.
The only thing I worry about is whether or not he will be having problems with his name. I am just not a big fan of the Danish equivalent Mathias because it's too popular.

[becomingun.livejournal.com]

I went to high school with a Matteo who is.... I think Colombian, haha. Besides, Georgia's a Greek name and I'm not Greek ;)

[missj0nes.livejournal.com]

Did anybody ask him about his name? Some names just seem more ethnic than others, I think ;)

[becomingun.livejournal.com]

Not as far as I remember :) And it was definitely NOT a multicultural school. I think people just didn't question it!

[octobre09.livejournal.com]

Well it's actually a really popular name right now in French Canada (and in France as well I do believe) and it was on my list if this baby would have been a boy. Mind you, I do have some Italian ancestors but most people wouldn't think so and it's not the reason why I liked it. Personally I do not think the origin of a name matters at all. If you like the name, go ahead and use it!

[missj0nes.livejournal.com]

It's comforting to know French-Canadians like it too :) I wouldn't want the name to be too popular in Denmark but I'd be less worried if I'd ever met a Matteo, haha.

[allie-sheppard.livejournal.com]

I have customers at work who are Polish but have three sons called Sergio, Giuliano and Fabiano. The names sound a bit strange with the Polish last name though.

So if Matteo sounds good with your last name, I'd say it would be okay :)

[missj0nes.livejournal.com]

I think it sounds good as a combo with a more Danish middle name, but I have the most common Danish last name so there's a fairly obvious contrast between first and last name.

[behindgrey-eyes.livejournal.com]

I think its a nice name.

I have a friend in Finland [though you said Danish me thinks, just above] and she said they're crazy strict about 'foreign' names. Which sucks because I love names from all over the world. If I ever have kids they're probably not gonna have Scottish names all round so I wouldn't see anything wrong if you don't have any Italian ties.

[wastinglight-xx.livejournal.com]

Personally, I don't think it really should matter. The only opinion when naming a child should be his Mom, and/or Dad depending on the situation. I believe you can name your child anything you want and shouldn't need to explain yourself or why you named your child that, etc. I, personally, adore the name Matteo, and like you, have zero connection to Italy, and am from Canada, I do have some ancestors from Ireland and Scotland, and Britain though, but still, if I so choose to use the name, then those who don't approve, well, they can kiss my butt, tbh.

[smallandneedy.livejournal.com]

I've seen heaps of children here in Norway called Matheo, even though their parents have typical Norwegian names, so I don't see why it would be weird.

[rubberducky1467.livejournal.com]

I'd say use it! It's nothing new, after all. My German great-grandparents named my grandfather Angus. The German kid with the Scottish name. XD