Need Italian To English translation of Che ho lei?

Question

Many years ago I had a stray cat. When I told my father about it and I said that I needed a name for her he said call her "Che ho lei" and told me a rough translation was "This I need" (like a hole in the head). Can someone tell me if my memory is correct? I have a new stray and want to give her that name.

Answer 1

That translates as "That I have her," not "This I need." Maybe it's an idiomatic expression that I don't know, but I'm pretty sure that's what it means.

che = that

ho = I have

lei = her

Answer 2

I confirm that "che ho lei" means "That I have (got) her".

Answer 3

"Che ho lei" literally means "that I have her".  "This I need" would translate as "Ho bisogno di lei" ("I need her", use "lui" instead of "lei" for a male.)  

Maybe he meant to say "Che ho lei non mi aiuta", or "(the fact) that I have her does not help me".

I hope this is helpful.