What do Italian children call their parents?

Question

I'm writing a history paper where I have to write from the perspective of a child living in New York in the early 20th century. Right now I've only made up a little back story to my character. He's an 11-year-old boy, lives with his Italian immigrant parents, 2 sisters, and 3 younger brothers.

What do Italian children usually call their parents? Mama, papa, ma, pa, etc.? How about aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.? I also need a name, so what are some common Italian surnames as well as first names? What are common homemade dishes? Any other basics I need to know?

Answer 1

We call our parents MAMMA and PAPA'

Aunt: ZIA   (plural - zie)

Uncle: ZIO (plural - zii)    

Aunts and Uncles: ZII

Grandparents: NONNI

Grandma: NONNA

Grandpa: NONNO

Cousins:  CUGINI

Cousin: CUGINO (m) CUGINA (f)

First names: (males) Giuseppe, Francesco, Paolo, Antonio, Pasquale, Salvatore, Carmelo (the last three especially in southern Italy).

(females) Maria, Carla, Anna, Giovanna, Carmela (south.), Annamaria, Filomena.

Surnames: Northern Italy: Carli, Brambilla, Fumagalli,          Zanardi, Zavoli.

                   Southern Italy: Coppola, Picone, Santoro, Pacifico, Carico.

Homemade dishes (especially cheap ones): Pasta e fagioli (pasta with beans), zuppa (soup), spezzatino (pieces of meat with peas), polpette (balls of meat).

I'm from southern Italy so if your characters are from the south let me know so I'll write you some typical 'slang' expressions)

Good work!

Answer 2

The children call their parents "Mamma, Papà or Mamy or papy".

Then:Zia zio; Nonno or nonna.

The names most famous are: Marco, Luca, Andrea, Martina,Chiara, Giulia... and tehe surnames most famous are: Rossi, Bianchi, Esposito, Longhi....

The tipical dishes are:pasta, pizza, meat,fish, vegetable and fruit .

ciao!

Answer 3

Mamma, papa', zia (aunt), zio (uncle), nonna (grandmother), nonno (grandfather).

For a name, look on a map of southern Italy and pick up the name of any town that you think easy to pronounce. They arrived to Ellis Island and they gave them the name of the town they're from.

Homemade dishes for poor people... pasta with tomato sauce I'd say! The could be in the business of importing goods from Italy.

Answer 4

Also Children from Tuscany call their dads "Babbo" (not sure of spelling!)

Answer 5

My Italian sisters have completely forgotten one of the name much known and present in Italy: COLOMBO!

You can easily verify with a territorial names map that you can find online!

Answer 6

parents: mamma,ma,mami,mammina      papà(not papa...papa in italian is the pope!!!),pa,papino,babbo,papi

uncle and aunts:zia,zietta   zio,zietto

Granparents:nonni,nonnini,nonnetti

surname:esposito,rossi,bianchi

and it isnt true that colombo is a usual surname in italy

Answer 7

So...

- what do Italian childer call their parents: mamma, papà

- aunt/aunts: zia/zie

- uncle/uncles: zio/zii

- grandparents: nonni

- Italian names of the early 20th centrury: (men) Mario, Giacomo, Antonio, Pietro, Ettore - (women) Maria, Franca, Teresa, Clara, Giulia

- most common Italian surnames: Rossi, Bianchi, Ferrari, Ricci, Romano

- common homemade dishes: pasta, pizza, minestrone, gnocchi, lasagne, risotto, patate arrosto

P.S.: I'm Italian