maddalena
[mad-da-lay-nah]
maddalena is the italian version of madeline, which has long been one of my very favorite names. growing up, i always thought i’d have a madeline or madelyn one day, but i mean, even though girls think about these things from the time we’re 12 years old, names are so hard when it comes time to actually choose one! so, initially, steven and i talked about giving the tiny one an italian middle name from my family tree… i liked a few pretty ones from my grandmother’s side… but a whole name just really wasn’t settling for us. we wanted something feminine and beautiful, but also different enough that there wouldn’t be four of them in her class her whole life. but after a few million name discussions, we decided to hit the pause button for a bit and just give that topic a rest. then, a few weeks later during our visit to italy… we were walking down a cute cobblestone street in florence and we came across a little embroidery shop with bibs in the window that had little italian baby names on them. we both stopped and stared when we saw the sweetest pink and white bib with the name maddalena embroidered perfectly across it. it looked and sounded so so pretty! and after sleeping on it that night… well, we went back and had a bib done just like it.
…and naturally, i got some cute shoes that day, too.
still, when we came back home, we let it settle in our minds a while more, and then we both knew we were kind of in love with the name. maddalena! maddalena rose. there was a rosa in the family tree, my grandmom scioscia’s great grandmother, i believe, so rose just stuck with me. roses are my very favorite flower, the same flower steven’s been charming me with since we were 17. it all just sounded so lovely to me. and luckily steven agreed! it was exciting to finally have a name picked… and now just looking at her sweet little face, i think it’s just so beautiful and perfect on her. i hope she feels proud of it as she grows up!
that's awesome! we did the same thing in italy – i think we were in florence – getting the bib made there kinda secured the name for us too. 🙂
I absolutely adore it. It's so pretty and different, for which she'll be thankful…. there were 7, yes 7, Jessicas in my first grade class.
That's a great story of how you guys choose her name! I do like how it sounds sweet and strong at the same time. And it's unusual without being weird!
I also loved the name Isabella (very popular in Brazil), until I had a fall out with one. Totally ruined it for me.
Love the name so much,and the little story behind it! 🙂
What a cute story behind the name! I think it's beautiful!
it's such a pretty name…with a good story to back it up! 🙂
Such a beautiful name! And I love the story behind it.
what a pretty name for a pretty little girl 🙂
so is that your new favourite wine?! i mean, it kind of has to be, doesn't it?
xo
Gorgeous! Such a pretty, unique name
what a special, sweet story! the bib is just adorable.
What a wonderful story and I just love her name!
That's a beautiful name!
I think that you have chosen a really beautiful, unique name for your little girl. I loved reading the story behind the name, too 🙂
I adore the name and love the fact that you wanted an italian name! My fiance has an italian dad, so we might end up picking italian names for our babies too one day!
ahh! what an enchanting story. and a beautiful name to match a beautiful baby girl 🙂
I love the name and I am completely charmed by the story behind it. She will wear the name well, you can just tell.
it's a beautiful name!
soooo perfect!!!
Her name is classic and timeless. Such a great choice Brit!! 🙂 Congratulations!!! How's Min and Soph doing with their new sibling? 🙂
I love her name so much! Like you I've had baby names picked since I was 12. Funny because my top name pick is Madelyn. I love the Italian version. It's so elegant and sweet…just like her 🙂 What a beautiful babe. Congrats!
Lovelovelove. Thank you for the phonics lesson! Such a gorgeous name and history!
Just catching up.. CONGRATS!!! I LOVE the name and the story, and personally, I've always loved the name Lena too. So Lena would be a cute nickname!
xx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtulle.blogspot.com
This will seem strange… My name is Maddalen Rose Isabella and my mother's maiden name is Rosa Scioscia who is named after her great grandmother. All seems a bit too familiar haha