The Cs of Medieval Tuscan and Italian names

Female names:

Calomaria (I) means “beautiful Maria.”

Carafina (I) may come from the surname Caraffa/Carafa, which belonged to a noble Neapolitan family, or be a combination of Cara (beloved) and Fina (a diminutive of Serafina (seraphim).

Castellana (I) means “pertaining to a castle” and “damsel,” and comes directly from a Latin word. This name is also Medieval Spanish and Medieval Catalan.

Colleta (T) is a diminutive of Nicoletta, the Italian feminine form of Nicholas (victory of the people).

Corsa (I) is a diminutive of Accorsa, derived from Latin word accursia (helped, aided). This is also the Italian word for “race, run” and “Corsican woman.”

Cristofana (T) is a feminine form of Christopher (Christ-bearer).

Male names:

Cacciaguida (I) was the name of Dante’s great-great-grandfather. He possibly fought in the Second Crusade.

Calvo (I) means “bald.”

Caro (I) derives from Latin word carus (beloved, dear). This is also a Spanish and Galician name.

Cherubino (I) means “cherubs,” from Latin cherubin and ultimately Hebrew. Some linguists believe the Hebrew word in turn derives from the Assyrian word karabu (mighty, great) or Akkadian kuribu (to bless).

Clario (T) is a form of Clarius, a Medieval Occitan and Provençal name derived from Latin name Clarus, a male form of Clara (clear, famous, bright). This name was also Venetian and Friulian.

Consolat (I) comes from the Latin word consolatus (comforted, consoled). Traditionally, this name was given to boys born after a sibling’s death.

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3 thoughts on “The Cs of Medieval Tuscan and Italian names

  1. Pingback: A to Z reflections 2021 | Onomastics Outside the Box

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