Nicolina

Nicolina Giordani (c.1740 – after 1775), also known by the stage name La Signora Spiletta or La Spiletta, was an Italian opera singer. She was described by Thomas Gray as a singer "with the utmost justness of ear, the strongest expression of countenance, the most speaking eyes, the greatest vivacity & variety of gesture". She also received praise by Horace Walpole, who wrote that she "beats all the actors and actresses I ever saw for vivacity and variety".

Nicolina Vaz de Assis Pinto do Couto (Campinas, 1874 – Rio de Janeiro, 1941) was a Brazilian sculptor. She was awarded a scholarship by the Art School of the State of São Paulo allowing her to travel to Paris and stay in the French capital from 1904 to 1907, where she continued to perfect her art. She entered the Académie Julian where she studied with Alexandre Falguière and Denys Puech.

I love this name! Watch Federico Fellini's "La Dolce Vita" sometime and you'll see Chelsea Girl singer Nico play the lovely socialite "Nicolina." Obviously the role was based on Nico herself. This name will always remind me of that character. In Italian it is pronounced "nee-koh-LEE-nah" - indeed, it is not only English but Italian as well. [noted -ed]