White kids with exotic names? Matteo? Baby due 8/21/08?

Question

How many people do you know that have a baby whose name doesn't fit the ethnicity you would "expect"? I am a very open-minded individual and am not phased by much, but sometimes when discussing baby names I like I get odd looks.

If my baby due in 5 days is a boy, we have a list of names we will be choosing from once we meet him. These names include Pierce, Gavin, Austin, Roman, and Xavier. We liked Hayden, but feel the girls are taking over the name. I like Cole, but can't sell my husband on it. But there is one name we both love that I would like to take along, but would it be too strange to pair with a brother 14 months older named Hunter? The name is Matteo. It is originally Hebrew but now is found mostly in Spanish and Italian communities, and we are mostly English and French heritage from what we can gather. I just can't shake my love for this name and was wondering if you know people who don't "look like" their name.

Please be kind, my pregnancy hormones can't take cruel comments, but I do want your honest opinions.

Thank you!

Answer 1

Matteo sounds like a soap opera character.....I like Pierce and Xavier

Answer 2

I love the name but like you I would wonder if I could get away with it.

I think the only problem you might have is that everyone you meet in the store, at bus stops etc will automatically ask if theres any spanish/italian in the family.

Nowadays there are so many made up names that anything goes.

Go for it, it's a great name.

btw Pierce just makes me think of james bond, prefer Matteo and Austin  most

Good luck with everything

Answer 3

White kids with exotic names? Ok, Matteo is gorgeous, and Spanish and since the majority of Spain is white...it's fine!! It doesn't matter what you look like, you should be able to a beautiful name from any culture. Bsides, preconceptions like these need to end, your race shouldn't stop you from deciding on a name. I am of mixed descent, my mum is Bulgarian [eastern european, next to romania and greece] and my dad is from Bangladesh! I look quite asian, but my name might be percieved as more white "Alexandra" to some people. But seriously, it's not like that. I love my name, and everyone else does too, although some people might expect me to have a more typically "Bengal-style" name.

Matteo is GREAT, go for it! I also love the name Matthew, and Matthias! Congrats, and hope I helped.

Dont let reasons like these stop you from giving your baby a name you love.

=) xo

Answer 4

Well, in theory Matteo and Hunter aren't a "match," but then  they don't have to be.  Honestly, Matteo and Hunter aren't that far-fetched -- they are both strong, masculine names with a similar sound (maybe it's  the T's and number of syllables).  

I would say that as long as you RESPECT the name (e.g., you are not mispronouncing it or mis-spelling it because you think your way is better), it is OK.  Clearly you do, as you know its origin and where it is typically used. Besides, think about where Isabella, Sophia, Gabriella,  Francesca and Gianna are these days in the SS List.  Isabella is #2!  There  can't be THAT many Hispanics/Italians in the US!

Actually, even if Matteo is blonde with blue eyes,  there is an entire group of Spaniards with this colouring.  About 17% are natural blondes -- mainly in the north.

You could say that my blue-eyed, light-brown-haired daughter doesn't look like a Maria, as the name Maria, like Matteo, tends to be associated with dark hair and eyes.  I also know  several people of mixed ethnicity who don't "look like" their names.  Santiago Schnell comes to mind -- with RED hair (yes, I know many Germans have red hair).  

Answer 5

I love Matteo! It's a very handsome alternative to Matthew, and even though I personally don't think your ethnicity would be a problem, there is the nickname 'Matt' to fall back on if he doesn't like it.

If both you and your husband love it, definitely consider it. Kids don't have to match either, so please don't let Hunter's name put you off. Again, the possible nickname of Matt can help with that, if your son wants to go by it later on.

Answer 6

Matteo is a great name.  Unfortunately, you already have a son named Hunter, and you're absolutely right in that the styles are completely different.  Not a good idea.

On that same note, Xavier and Roman should be out too... they're too international for Hunter.

Also, if you go with Pierce (which is a lovely name by the way), you may start having people looking at you funny... Pierce and Hunter sound like very violent names when paired together.

Completely in agreement about the name Hayden.

On the other hand, I love Gavin and Austin.  These names sound great as brothers to Hunter!  

Have you also considered Logan, Dylan, Mason, or Carson?  

Good luck to you and your growing family!  :)  

Answer 7

I suggest Kilua

Answer 8

aw, my baby cousin's name is Mateo, i like it spelled like that also.

my baby cousin is Peruvian, Italian, and i think that's it.

I say go for it. Maybe since he is born in the summer he'll tan easily and get a tan to match his name.

Answer 9

I love the name Matteo! To me, it seems like a cool twist on the Shakespearian name Romeo (which, incedently, I've only ever seen worn by white boys) and the contemporary classic Matthew.

I don't have any Italian ancestry, but would still consider using this name if I were pregnant. It's a handsome, distinctive name. I can see a Hunter and Matteo as brothers too.

I don't mean to offend anyone here, because everyone's opinions on using a name 'not from your culture' differs. Personally, I love some really nice African, Indian and Arabic names. I couldn't use them, because I have don't have any ancestors from those area's, and would feel odd using such names. On the other hand, I see nothing wrong with using French, Italian and Germanic names, even though I have no heritage there either. I think this may be because names from these areas have been used by people with different backgrounds for so long that it's completely normal. Honestly, would you think that a white guy named Anthony wouldn't match his name? The name is of Etruscan origin, but it's used by plenty of English people.  

Answer 10

I'd use Matteo in a heartbeat, save that my younger sister has already told us that it's her #1.  (And, in a funny twist, her last name is Hunter.)

I know plenty of people who don't look like their name, including a blonde, blue-eyed Keiko.

Ends-in-o names are very cool these days, so using Matteo isn't nearly as odd as it might've been 10, even 20 years ago.  And he can always be nicknamed Matt, if he finds his full name too dramatic.  But chances are he'll go to school with boys called Leo and Theo - and fit right in.

I'd use it without hesitation.

Answer 11

it doesnt matter where a name originated from. irish, hebrew, jewish whatever, if you like the name then use it....i think it's lovely

Answer 12

How many people do you know that have a baby whose name doesn't fit the ethnicity you would "expect"? I never gave it much thought. It does not phase me if the name does not fit the ethnicity. I am open minded. Wow. I too thought of Matteo for our son but my husband did not like it. To be honest I have no clue what my background is. My dad is adopted and my mom's family does not know anything. LOL

Answer 13

If you like Matteo, go for it! I actually like the name. So many kids have unusual names, I doubt anyone will think you're strange for using that name.

Also, because you were wondering, my name is Kate, and a few teachers I had haven't been able to remember my name because they think I don't "look like a Kate".

Answer 14

matteo

i love it!!!!! love it! love it! love it!

yess it is very european.. but so what!! i love european names.

im from aus and my fav names r dmitri n nikolai.  

Answer 15

As in Muh-tay-o?

Go for it if you'd like. He always has a white boy nickname to fall back on: Mattie/Matty/Matt.

I know a white girl named LaRhonda. I'm talking blue-eyed, blonde-haired, freckled surfer girl. She just goes by Lala.

Answer 16

I like Matteo!

It can be shortened to the Anglo "matt" if you/he likes, but he's not just another Matthew (I hate those names where there are always multiple kids in a class with them).

Answer 17

Matteo?!

i love it!

i like Pierce, Gavin, Austin, Roman, and Xavier too! Austin sounds good.

but Matteo is just AWESOME!

Answer 18

If you like it, go for it!  Don' t worry about what other people think.  There are lots of kids with names that don't "match" thier ethnicity.  It makes the world a more interesting place!  :)

Answer 19

I wouldn't worry about whether the name "goes" with Hunter. You new baby will be an individual and deserves his own individual name. Matteo is nice and has a good nickname (which will happen in school).  Once you see him you will know if he is a Cole, a Matteo, or an Xavier once and for all. Good Luck on a quick and stress-free delivery and a healthy baby.

Answer 20

matteo is cute. it will go well with anybody regardless of ethnicity im sure.

Answer 21

Nah, In the world of Phineus, Apple and Denim...people should name their kids a name they dont mind repeating thousands of time a day.. I am a mother of 4 and that is what I did.. I picked names I love.. I think Matteo is a great name. I don't think it should be about race..