The
D'Agnolo Family
Names are so important to a person's identity as we've discussed in
class, but this is especially true with other cultures. A name means a
link between family and is a form of respect. As a result, a name would
be passed down for generations. D'Agnolo is a very old name and means
family of Agnolo (Brian). Though we do not know many family members
beyond my
great grandparents, with the exception of Ottorino and Clorinda
D'Agnolo (Otto's parents, according to Louis) and Josephine's mother,
Streganona (Brian), one can look up the name online and find
several people with the name from centuries earlier. According to my
cousin Laura, a church that she went to in Italy had been built by a
D'Agnolo. It is not entirely unbelievable that he could have been
related to
myself since my family has a long line of brick layers in it (Brian).
The name Otto has been passed down from generation to generation in my family as well. Ottorino is the Italian version of this name and is my great, great grandfather's and great grandfather's. The name has not given to any of his children, but was given to his son's son, my uncle. It was originally to be given to the oldest, but after my grandma had three miscarriages, they got superstitious and decided to name the oldest Brian (Brian). It was later given to the third oldest.
The name Otto was not given to any of Ottorino's children because another name was passed down, Anthony (Brian). Anthony was the middle name of Otto and then it was the middle name of my grandpa, who then gave it as a middle name to his oldest son, who then gave it as a middle name to his youngest son (Brian). My cousin has not had any children, so I'm not sure if it will continue.
Other important names to not in my family are Nonu and Nona. These are the Italian words for grandpa and grandma. These are the names I called my grandparents since I was born. I have always loved this tradition because I knew no one else who called their grandparents by these names. I didn't mind having to explain it all the time either because it was so unique. It is a tradition I want to continue with my children. Who knows, one of my children might even have Anthony for a middle name.
Also a result of immigration is the Americanization of my families' names. My nonu's name is Louis D'Agnolo. First, D'Agnolo is often pronounced Dag-no-lo, when in Italy is is said like Da-n-yo-lo. Also, Louis is the American version of his real name, Luigi (Brian). As you've already noticed, Ottorino was also shortened to Otto. My great aunt, Gloria's name was also Americanized as was my great uncle Roy's. Gloria's name is actually Clorinda, and Roy's is Renato. Clorinda was also passed on in my family like Otto and Anthony. It was originally my great, great grandmothers. The fifth oldest child of my nonu was also named Clorinda, Clori for short, and my uncle Brian's daughter's, Laura, middle name is also Clorinda.
So as you can see names are very important in my family and is a direct result of our Italian heritage.
The name Otto has been passed down from generation to generation in my family as well. Ottorino is the Italian version of this name and is my great, great grandfather's and great grandfather's. The name has not given to any of his children, but was given to his son's son, my uncle. It was originally to be given to the oldest, but after my grandma had three miscarriages, they got superstitious and decided to name the oldest Brian (Brian). It was later given to the third oldest.
The name Otto was not given to any of Ottorino's children because another name was passed down, Anthony (Brian). Anthony was the middle name of Otto and then it was the middle name of my grandpa, who then gave it as a middle name to his oldest son, who then gave it as a middle name to his youngest son (Brian). My cousin has not had any children, so I'm not sure if it will continue.
Other important names to not in my family are Nonu and Nona. These are the Italian words for grandpa and grandma. These are the names I called my grandparents since I was born. I have always loved this tradition because I knew no one else who called their grandparents by these names. I didn't mind having to explain it all the time either because it was so unique. It is a tradition I want to continue with my children. Who knows, one of my children might even have Anthony for a middle name.
Also a result of immigration is the Americanization of my families' names. My nonu's name is Louis D'Agnolo. First, D'Agnolo is often pronounced Dag-no-lo, when in Italy is is said like Da-n-yo-lo. Also, Louis is the American version of his real name, Luigi (Brian). As you've already noticed, Ottorino was also shortened to Otto. My great aunt, Gloria's name was also Americanized as was my great uncle Roy's. Gloria's name is actually Clorinda, and Roy's is Renato. Clorinda was also passed on in my family like Otto and Anthony. It was originally my great, great grandmothers. The fifth oldest child of my nonu was also named Clorinda, Clori for short, and my uncle Brian's daughter's, Laura, middle name is also Clorinda.
So as you can see names are very important in my family and is a direct result of our Italian heritage.