View Message

I love Antonia and I don't recall ever having met one. I wouldn't want Toni/Tony to be used as a nickname either. It's a name I would consider using.

I went through an Antonia phase...but I feared the Toni thing too. I don't really like it the same anymore. Maybe a middle name.

I know dozens of girls named Antonia, it was popular in my generation (Antonio was also big for boys) and none of them are called Tony. I like it, but it's a bit pase here now.

I love Antonia, pronounced an-TONE-ee-uh. I don't like Toni as a nickname either... My favorite nicknames for it are Anna and Nonie.

---

I don't know anyone with the name.

I love Antonia. I think it is classic and strong but still underused. I would worry about people calling her Toni too, which is why I would stick to using it as a middle name.

I know one Antonia who is about 25. Nobody ever calls her Tony / Toni, so I really think you could use Antonia with no nickname at all.

I really like it and I don't think it necessarily would lead to Tony. Anyway you can stop people from using a nn you dislike until your daughter's old enough to decide for herself.

I used to like it but I don't like it anymore. I know two Antonia's. They often go by Antonia, but sometimes one of them go by Toni or Tonia.

I really like it :) Although I share your fears about Toni - I don't really think you can be called Antonia and not get called Toni lol.

---

I'd seriously consider using it as a mn though - Grace Antonia and Ella Antonia spring to mind. I really like Antoinette as well.

---

I know an eighteen year old girl named Antonia, as well as a woman in her mid 40s called Antonina.

I know an Antonia Vanessa. Most people just call her Antonia, but some people do use Toni. I find Antonia to be a lovely name, but agree on Toni not being the prettiest nn. Maybe Ani, Ana, Nia, Tonia?

---

Or how about:
Antonina nn Nina
Antonella nn Nella
Antoinette or Antonette nn Netta ?

I love Antonia but like you, I'm not wild about Toni (of any spelling). I do think Annie or Nia are mighty cute, though. I've known Tonis and Antoinettes but never an Antonia.

I think it's lovely, but I hate Toni too. Still, as has been said, I don't think it would be very difficult to get people to call her Antonia.

Aw, I used to love Antonia. I've cooled on it (and have since come to love Anthony) but it's still a lovely name. My favorite combo was Antonia Evelyn (or was it Evelyn Antonia?), another name that I've moved away from. I could see myself getting into both of them again, really; Evelyn is my grandmother's name and I had a great-grandmother Antonia (although the latter is only a matter of interest, not a significant source of sentimental value).

---

I don't think it would be too hard to use Antonia in full. I know Catherines, Elizabeths, and have even met girls named Dandelion and Shandalier who go by their full names (and you'd think the last two would be desperate for nicknames!). I used to hesitate with Antonia too because I disliked the possibility of Toni or Tonia. But I do think the use of "full names" in general is more possible than people tend to worry it is.

---

If you're convinced a nickname is inevitable, though, maybe you could preemptively use one you do like. It's not my favorite but there is Tonia. Or, although less common, Ana, Nan, and Nia are fairly logical choices. There is always the similar Antonina nicknamed Nina as well.

This message was edited 11/19/2009, 4:39 PM

I like Antonia. I know one who goes by Annie.

an-tone-yah

---

or

---

an-toe-nee-uh

---

I LOVE the 2nd one. and then her nn can be nia!