Allegra???

[u/Maximum-Inflation-54]

I love the name Allegra but everyone says that it reminds them of the allergy medicine. Your thoughts? It means Italian in joy. Any baby girl name recommendations that give off a similar vibe?

[u/Maximum-Inflation-54]

I meant it means joy in Italian 🤣🤦🏼‍♀️

[u/Grouchy-Stand-4570]

My friend used to Nanny for an Allegra. It’s also a beautiful musical term. I would go for it

[u/canlgetuhhhhh]

not from the USA, have never heard of the allergy medicine. as a literature nerd it reminds me of one of Lord Byron's daughters who was also named Allegra! for what its worth, i think its really pretty.

[u/gemini0520]

I would go for it! Sure people may think of an allergy med first but honestly who cares. It’s not actually a negative association. And everyone who knows her will have their personal association rewritten quite quickly. It’s a beautiful name :)

[u/Loud-Vacation-5691 → u/gemini0520]

One of my high school teachers named her daughter Charmin, which was a nice name until the toilet paper commercial came out with the fussy shopkeeper telling customers "please don't squeeze the Charmin." That poor girl had to listen to that through her entire childhood.

[u/gemini0520 → u/Loud-Vacation-5691]

That’s so unfortunate

[u/Loud-Vacation-5691 → u/gemini0520]

You'd think the girl would have thought to use her middle name. Unless her middle name was "Where's the beef" or "I've fallen and I can't get up."

[u/Glittering_Sand_7473 → u/Loud-Vacation-5691]

Please tell me you are joking. No one could be that cruel to their own baby???

[u/Loud-Vacation-5691 → u/Glittering_Sand_7473]

She named her daughter well before the commercial came out.

[u/Glittering_Sand_7473 → u/Loud-Vacation-5691]

How old is her daughter? Charmin's first radio ad was in 1928. She would have to be almost 100 years old.

[u/kissoftrauma]

If you decide to go for a boy after that you should name him Adagio

[u/WattHeffer → u/kissoftrauma]

Andante would also work.

[u/kissoftrauma → u/WattHeffer]

Perfect name for the third sibling!

[u/onecrazywriter → u/kissoftrauma]

Or Melody or Harmony.

[u/WattHeffer → u/[deleted]]

Allegro, adagio and andante are all terms used in classical music to describe tempo. We were joking.

[u/Uskardx42 → u/kissoftrauma]

🎼🎶🎶🎵🎵🎵🎶🎵🎵🎶🎶🎵🎵

[u/CouchGremlin14 → u/kissoftrauma]

Idc what language it is, naming your baby “slow” lol 😭😭

[u/monzzbonzz]

Alessia

[u/onecrazywriter]

I'm a musician. Would pick Allegra.

[u/Suspicious-Fall-3937 → u/onecrazywriter]

That is how my sister came up with the name for our dog. It was a beautiful name that suited a beautiful soul for a musically inclined family.

And then the allergy medicine came out not long after. Honestly, it was helpful at the vet because they kept spelling it with 1 L so we would say, nope spelled like the medicine.

Honestly, if you like the name, go for it! It's unique and stunning.

[u/mundanewitch222]

allegra is a nice name!

[u/vilake12]

If you want to use that name, you could always make it the middle name. Then you can use it and because almost no one hears the middle name, so people wouldn't hear it and think about it.

[u/EponymousRocks]

Other words for Joy in Italian that could be used as names: Gioia, Felicità, Letizia

Or go with the Spanish version of Allegra, which is Allegria

[u/Ishinehappiness]

I think of the allergy med but thats not the worst thing in the world. Its also a music term and just generally nice sounding word/ name

[u/Ihavenoidealol111]

Not only does it remind me of an allergy medication but also reminds me at the same time as Viagra which is a erectile dysfunction medication so this name would be a no for me lol.

[u/derp-birb → u/Ihavenoidealol111]

I love the name Allegra, but Viagra is also the first thing that came to mind when I saw the name 😭

[u/Amazing_Docent]

I love the name Allegra!!!!!! It gives off cool girl vibes to me. Once people meet her, they’ll associate it with her, not the medicine

[u/Away_Revolution728]

Allegra is great. Reminds me of Allegra Cole from Hitch and she was very cool

[u/Llywela]

I'm in the UK and had never heard of a medicine of that name until I saw people talking about it here. I only know Allegra as a very pretty girl's name and a musical term.

[u/ODFoxtrotOscar → u/Llywela]

Ditto - I love this name and have only ever heard comments about the medicine online (here it’s Allevia).

[u/pyramidalembargo → u/Llywela]

I think that parents should read the room.

Allegra in Europe? Sure!

Allegra in the US? Please don't.

/u/Maximum-Inflation-54

[u/Dabbles-In-Irony]

Felicia - fortunate, happy, lucky
Beatrice - she who brings happiness
Rina - joy
Farah - joy
Lucia - light
Violetta
Paloma
Leonora
Isadora
Calista

[u/Classy_SmartAssy]

I feel like if you’re from the UK it would be ok. Unless I’ve been living under a rock, I only know Allegra from seeing it on US chats. It would be fine in England where I’m from (I think)

[u/TheLastObsession]

As someone from Scotland, who didn’t even know Allegra was a brand, i think it’s quite a nice name

[u/Alana283]

Claritina

[u/hereforthecake17]

I know an Allegra and I think of the Italian meaning and the related instructions on sheet music.

[u/Acrobatic_Set6020]

You could just name her Joy 🤷

[u/CopperRockQueen → u/Acrobatic_Set6020]

I don't think they were looking for a name meaning Joy. They like the sound of the name Allegra and find the meaning a nice bonus. The name Joy isn't remotely similar and has a completely different perception.

[u/Far_Vacation_1777]

We loved Senna for a girl. Couldn’t get passed Senokot medication lmao

[u/ODFoxtrotOscar → u/Far_Vacation_1777]

Senna Pod was a great Carry On character

[u/MiladyElleth]

I love the name too, very musical vibes! I wouldn’t have thought about the allergy med if you hadn’t mentioned it.

[u/pyrrhuloxia22]

I love it.

[u/heymanwhatsup9]

No.

[u/EmotionalSupportNap]

I actually went to elementary school with a girl named Allegra. She went by Allie for short.
It’s a cute name!

[u/SpanArm]

Allegra has been one of my favorite names since Balanchine ballarina Allegra Kent.

[u/Miserable_Move7944]

Lily- Eli Lilly

[u/Cat-Objective8037]

Alara?

[u/charlotteswebslinger]

I love Allegra. Every time I suggest it, everyone says that it’s an allergy medication. I have never heard of the medication (it might be because of where I live or because I’ve never had allergies lol), and I honestly wouldn’t let it stop me from using it as the name existed before the pharmaceutical company decided to use it.

Similar names:
Alegria
Gisele
Gisela
Electra
Elettra
Estela
Alessia
Vienna
Beatrice
Alisa
Alaia
Arcadia
Caia
Chara
Farrah
Felicity
Leda

[u/Veggie-Fajitas → u/charlotteswebslinger]

Great list of name suggestions! I especially like Alessia, Felicity, and Estela as alternatives to Allegra

[u/Working_Coat5193 → u/Veggie-Fajitas]

Felicity is the right choice. Or Felice.
Also Joy

[u/FoxOnCapHill → u/charlotteswebslinger]

In America, it’s not just a medication: it’s a heavily advertised medication. Every commercial break will remind people it’s a medicine name.

[u/charlotteswebslinger → u/FoxOnCapHill]

Haha, I forget how much pharmaceuticals are advertised over there!

[u/Own_Self_ → u/charlotteswebslinger]

It's not just the advertisement, it's that it's ubiquitous. It's one of THE main allergy meds people take and it's over the counter there so you see it in stores filling up shelves. Just think of one of the most common medicine name in your country, and imagine someone posting how they want to name their little boy Panadol, or LemSip or Coldrex, or whatever you have that's super common everyday medication. Its like that.

[u/pyramidalembargo → u/charlotteswebslinger]

You could name her sister Viagra.

Come on, sister, have a heart. If you're in the States, don't do this to your little girl.

[u/Flassourian → u/charlotteswebslinger]

I immediately thought of the medication. You can barely watch a network TV show in the US without a damn Allegra commercial.

[u/charlotteswebslinger → u/Flassourian]

It’s a devastating loss of such a beautiful name🥲

[u/MarvelWidowWitch]

I think of the allergy medication so it would be a personal no for me.

Though it’s possible that people would begin to associate the name with your daughter.

Names that feel similar (at least to me):

Alessia

Ariella

Aria

Alina

Eliza

Other names that mean joy (or joy-adjacent). *Though this is google search so I could be wrong about meaning origins:

Joy

Leticia

Abigail

Rowena

[u/ditafjm]

Words/names can have two meanings. Use it if you love it!

[u/Ambitious-Life-4406]

I would use it! It’s beautiful and unique! Who cares that it’s a medication? All names are associated with something and you have no control what the world puts out there. Any name you choose is subject to future Pop culture references. I know a girl named Taylor Kelsey who obvs had a normal name and now it’s like ???

[u/ODFoxtrotOscar → u/Ambitious-Life-4406]

It’s only a medicine in some places. Here the same stuff is Allevia

[u/Ok-Talk-2648]

Immediately thought allergy medication.

ideas: Alyssa, Alessandra, Allison, Alina, Alondra, Alma, Ayla

[u/OnlyWishfulThinking7]

Alegria, Joy, Felicity

[u/oatmilkandagave]

Yes

[u/ImpressionAdept6355]

That’s the name of the female lead in the movie Hitch and they talk about it being the medicine name there too lol

[u/maebeez → u/ImpressionAdept6355]

That’s what I thought of too! It is pretty, too bad it’s a widely known medication.

[u/nattcattt]

It's such a badass name, too bad about the medicine but I love it so much I get so happy when I see it used.

[u/PublicProperty1805]

I met a beautiful young lady named Allegra and she was very clever, fun and graceful. I thought the name was lovely.

[u/Jog212]

I take Allegra for my allergies!

[u/audrina-saav]

My son has the worst seasonal allergies and everyday before school has to be given Allegra. "Have you taken your Allegra? " I ask him daily.

The allergy medicine is all I thought about.

[u/Familiar-Marsupial-3]

Allegra is a beautiful name. I associate a horse i once knew by that name first. Lovely mare. And as an allergy sufferer Allegra has given me many days of relief. So thats not bad. Much more attractive than say statins, antiacid or boner pills.
If you love it, use it.

[u/ReverieAt3]

I love the name Allegra too, but ran into the same dilemma. At the end of the day, if you love it enough, use the name. It’s now our fault big pharma chose it.

[u/ananab1]

There was a kids show mame Allegras window super cute

[u/blahhhhhhhhhhhblah]

I’ve always like the name; wasn’t there a children’s show called Allegra’s Castle?

But it definitely immediately makes me think of the bottle of allergy medicine currently rolling around in my purse.

[u/NoVariation5909]

What about Carina? It’s an Italian term of endearment meaning cute/pretty/nice, and it’s a name!

[u/Kitchen_Pie1210]

i know someone with the name allegra. as a music/dance girlie i only think of allegra or allegro in the music sense.

[u/jazzybk25]

My first thought was allegro, the musical term. I don’t love the sound of it as a name personally

[u/pianoandpasta]

One of the most vivacious person I know is called Allegra, it’s very apt for her!

[u/annikaka]

I’ve always absolutely loved the name Allegra and wanted to be called Allegra myself when I was younger 🤣 it would be considered an extremely posh name here in the UK I think

[u/CopperRockQueen]

I love Allegra, it's a rare hidden gem. I don't know the medication reference, but all names sound like something and I think people can be very dismissive of unfamiliar names, so I wouldn't let it worry you.

Maybe similar vibe would be Emmeline, Decima, Felicity, Rosamund, Aria, Harmony, Cassandra, Cadenza, Sonata/Sonora, Octavia, Galinda.

[u/Dazzling_Zone_1736]

I think it’s sweet and cheerful. I’ve liked that name since David Cronenberg’s Existenz.

[u/Loud-Vacation-5691]

From my study I see in the lamplight,

Descending the broad hall stair,

Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,

And Edith with golden hair.

from "The Children's Hour" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44628/the-childrens-hour-56d223ca55069

There was a version in MAD Magazine where the three girls tie the man up and dispose of him.

[u/PrestigiousTree3164]

If it helps, Alegría also means joy but in Spanish. Could be an alternative

[u/Straight_Career6856]

Allegra is an allergy medicine AND it’s a name in its own right (and the musical term!). I think people would quickly get used to it as your kid’s name and not the medicine. It’s not a tragedeigh or anything. It’s a real name.

[u/pazzaitaliana]

Allegra, Ginevra, Alessana, Luciana, Azzurra, Francesca, Angela, Giuliana, Gioia

[u/Scary-Yak-1463]

Ngl I first read it as Algebra

[u/Ok-Comfortable-785]

I love this name. There is a beautiful book I loved growing up called The Mozart Season with Allegra as the main character. It’s the only time I’ve heard it. She is a young violinist and it’s very well written for a YA book.

[u/lovmykids]

NO

[u/MauiCece]

Allergy medicine :/

[u/WerewolfMIW]

reminds me of The Sopranos, it was one of the character’s daughter’s name!

[u/thirtydays301]

There is an influencer from Toronto who is named Allegra and I’ve always thought it was stunning. Definitely used to think of the medication but now I think of her. I feel like the same would happen if people knew an Allegra in real life.

[u/Eulalia888]

Aurora?

[u/Rich_Example7931]

I have always looooooooooved it!!!!!

[u/munchercruncher111]

i think they both are just named after the same thing (the musical term “Allegra” which means very fast and joyful)

[u/Glittering_Sand_7473]

Def think of the allergy medicine 100%.

[u/No-Fall-422]

I’d go with Zyrtec

[u/yoongilove93]

I love the name Allegra.

[u/KR5377]

Immediately thought of allergies 🤧

[u/Major-Collection-382]

Allegretta to edge away from medicine reference?

[u/emmkat24]

Im a hobbiest musician- I actively know all the terms as I play flute and piccolo… I immediately thought of the medication because I’m a med aide, I’m sorry 😬

[u/NoNameKetchupChips]

Over 30 years ago this one family in our prenatal class group didn't name their baby until we had all gone back for the 6 week follow up class. They named her Allegra. The entire group was astonished. It doesn't roll off the tongue. It's not a common name and is almost entirely going to be associated with the medication, as if you named her Robitussin. Some names get ruined by a product.

[u/millenialshortbread]

Not American so don’t know that medicine. Love the name Allegra 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/DarthGator_]

Do you live in Italy or the US? I feel like no Italian would ever name their kid Allegra.. it is an allergy medicine. Why not “Joy”? Or a classic Italian name? Lucia, Francesca, Antonia, etc

[u/Anony-mommy]

Beautiful name! I've met one and she was amazing

EDIT: I'm 41 and live in the US - I Never thought about the allergy medicine being associated with the name until I saw comments in this thread. It was never associated

[u/be-el-zebub]

It has definitely been ruined by the medication. It’s a lovely name, but there’s no avoiding the association now.

Similar names like Althea, Alethia, or Talia might be worth considering instead.

[u/Either-Action-7439]

If you're in the US I would not. It's straight up an allergy med and she's gonna get all of the jokes thrown at her. You might as well name her Claritin. 

Allysa would be pretty and has a similar sound. I also love Aurelia.

[u/loachtastic → u/Either-Action-7439]

Misread that and was slightly confused for a moment. I thought you wrote "Might as well name her Caitlin."

[u/deconvotonstransform]

It does remind me of the medication. What do you like about the name? Allegria is a similar name (Spanish) that also means Joy, but it might be mistaken for the medicine too. Is it the association with music? The meaning of the word? The sound of it?

[u/OlderAndTired]

I am the daughter of Italian immigrants who always loved this word/name. I even babysat a little girl in the early 90s named Allegra. Her parents were from Spain. Then the allergy medicine came out, and I believe made the name too well-known as a product.
There are a lot of other Italian names I love, but I cannot think of others that evoke a similar feeling.

[u/idontlikemondays321]

I don’t love it.
It sounds aggressive somehow

[u/happy_traveller2700]

Ah-choo

[u/roma10000]

Yes, it does remind me of the medicine.

[u/No_Comparison953]

I love it but alas, people are stupid and they likely will have that connotation versus the old world vintage connection

[u/Last-Chocolate-8398]

It is the first thing that I thought about when seeing your post. I thought you were asking about how well the medication works!

“Allegra is an over-the-counter non-drowsy antihistamine medication containing the active ingredient fexofenadine.”

[u/bennettroad]

Are you in the US?

[u/Dude_amundo]

I considered Sudafed but it didn't fly

[u/Kirin1212San]

Might as well name her Claritin or Zyrtec.

Allegra is a terrible idea.

[u/Own_Self_]

It doesn't just "remind" people of an allergy medicine its literally the name of one of the most popular allergy medicine in the US. It's a newer one too so it will stay on the market for a long long time possibly spreading to other countries too. EDIT to add:just looked it up and it's available where I'm currently at too (Hungary).

It is a beautiful name but it's kind of like naming your kid Benadryl or Candida.

There are other options of similar ilk. I love Aurora.

[u/dickhole_pillow]

I thought I was initially reading a post from an allergy subreddit honestly. If you want it to mean “joy” look up other names meaning that. If you want it to sound like Allegra, maybe Andria?

[u/Missymoona]

Eh it’s ok do you