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Aurora or Alessia?
Hello! My husband and I are soon-to-be first-time parents. We're having a little girl and we can't seem to settle on a name.I myself prefer Aurora. I personally think it sounds much sweeter, classy, and more feminine than Alessia does, and I'm a little scared Alessia might sound tacky, as we're living in an English-speaking country. It would flow nicely with both of our choices for her middle name, Rosanna and Contessina.My husband likes Alessia a bit more than he likes Aurora. His reasoning is that it sounds fresher and timeless, and while I might have to agree that it sounds more youthful, I don't think it sounds timeless. It goes well with Rosanna, but not with Contessina, due to the double S.Now I'm hoping that you might be able to help us solve our name dilemma and persuade either me to fall in love with Alessia or my husband to fall in love with Aurora.Our surname is Leone, by the way, just in case you want to know what the whole name might sound and look like. And if it wasn't clear enough already, we're from Italy :)A huge thanks to everyone who is willing to help!
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Aurora sounds elegant, dignified, and historical. Alessia sounds pretty, friendly, and princessy. While I like both names, I prefer the look and sound of Aurora. It also has the option of the nick name Rory. Alessia is pretty and is established enough that people wont consider it made up, so I don't think anyone would find it tacky.
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I like Alessia and I love Aurora when pronounced the English way but the Italian pronunciation I dislike. Oddly I love the Italian pronunciation of Aurelia, I think probably because it is easier to pronounce.My suggestion is to use Aurelia since it flows very well with Rosanna Contessina Leone because it doesn't add extra S's like Alessia and it doesn't add an extra "ro" like Aurora. Also it seems like you should both like Aurelia since it has the beginning sound from Aurora but it has the -ia ending from Alessia and it has an L in there like Alessia. Also Aurelia is not as popular in Italy so it sounds fresher, Aurora is currently very popular and Alessia was just as popular as Aurora only 10 years ago. I am really hoping that you two both love Aurelia because at least on paper it seems perfect for the two of you.If you guys don't love Aurelia then Alessia is my favorite -when using Italian pronunciations. But the English pronunciation of Aurora is currently one of my favorite names, largely because I love the nn Rory for it.
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This message was edited 4/7/2017, 12:52 AM

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I totally get why other people like the name Aurora, but... maybe it's my natural accent / cadence (midwestern U.S.), but I trip over the word whenever I try to say it. I have to fight not to slur the middle syllable, and I don't think I'm the only person with this trouble.So for that reason alone I'd choose Alessia. However, I think that name is very pretty on its own anyway - and unlike its Latin cognate Alexia, it's not the name of a disorder. Alessia Rosanna is the combo I'd go with.
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I'm a bit bored by Aurora these days, and I find it uncomfortable to say.Alessia, on the other hand, I LOVE - it's much fresher then Alice or any of the Alex names, and is elegant and feminine. I think Alessia Rosanna Leone is an absolutely beautiful name which stands perfectly for your nationality but is accessible and easy to pronounce for English speakers
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I prefer Aurora as well. It's a beautiful name! I also think that it's classy and feminine. The goddess of the morning is named Aurora. It has a beautiful meaning and beautiful sound!When I read the title I thought you were from Italy! In Italy Aurora is very common now (at #2 for 2016 and with a tendency to rise, I think it could be #1 next year). Alessia used to be common(it was the #1 name in the past) but is on its way down. Aurora seems fresher to me and Alessia a bit tired but my guess is that they will unfortunately both sound tired and dated in the future, due to overuse. At least Aurora is more distinctive, Alessia kind of vanishes between all the girls named Alessandra and guys names Alessandro and Alessio.Anyway, as you live in an English speaking country popularity isn't too much of an issue. Aurora is getting more common but I doubt it will ever make the top 20. Alessia feels tired to me anyway because of similar names such as Alyssa which used to be common in English speaking countries.I will make a list, maybe it will help you to like Alessia more or your husband to like Aurora more :)Aurora+ beautiful meaning (dawn)
+ classic
+ beautiful, feminine sound
+ goddess of the morning
+ not too common but familiar (English speaking country)
+ nickname Aury is cute- a bit hard/awkward to say (doesn't roll off the tongue)
- I dislike Rory and Rora as nicknames
- super common in Italy (if you go back there or visit a lot she will encounter many others)
- might sound boring/dated in the future due to overuse (in Italy and if you happen to live in Alaska where it is a top 10 name, anywhere else it isn't overused as far as I know)

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