My sister had a boy in her class when she was little named Gennaro. I knew nothing about his name but that I assumed it was Italian, and I loved it so much that I had it on my own preteen/teen name lists for years, despite the fact that I have not a drop of Italian blood (and, though I didn’t know it back then of course, neither does my husband).
I thought Gennaro was the coolest name — I’d never heard it before that little boy, and I hadn’t heard it since then — until March, when the blood of Naple’s patron saint, St. Januarius — aka St. Gennaro — liquefied in the presence of Pope Francis, the first time it had done so in the presence of a pope since Pope Pius IX in 1848.
What a miracle that was! Amazing! And I read about it in wonder, and rejoiced over it, and I thanked God that Pope Francis had been given such a gift … but always in the back of my mind was that swoony feeling I had every time I would carefully copy Gennaro onto my name lists (yes, I had several). And to know it’s a saint’s name!
I don’t know about you all, but Januarius has like 1/millionth of the coolness of Gennaro. Funny enough, despite my constant pretzeling of names to force feasible nicknames out of even the most un-nicknamable, I’ve never once thought of doing so for Gennaro. Off the top of my head, I can’t even think of one — certainly not Gen(n). Naro? Jar-o? (Ha!) Maybe Geo? That would probably be my favorite. But really, for me, it’s all about Gennaro.
What do you all think of Gennaro? Do you like it? Do you know anyone with the name? Is there something wrong with me that I was almost as interested in the Saint’s name as I was in the amazing once-in-two-centures miracle? (*Almost as*, I promise!)
Sancta Nomina 
I actually know a couple with this as a last name, so that is my first association. They pronounce it like Jen-Arrow, so I’m curious if it’s supposed to have more of an Italian sound when others say it (more like Jen-ahro)…?
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Oh! Huh, I never considered it having another pronunciation. The one I know says it like your second example — ahro rather than arrow.
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I love this post. 😛 Name-nerds 4ever!
Hadn’t heard the name, but I can see the appeal. Also reminds me of Geppetto… could that be revived?
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Gepetto! Ohmygoodness I love it! I’ve never ever considered it outside of the the Pinocchio context, but now that I think about it …. I like it! I like Giacomo too, which has a similar feel to me.
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Hehe name-nerds 4ever! Yes!! 😀
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[…] was a last-minute add-on after I did the spotlight of the name Gennaro and totally thought of Jenny. My only hesitation with it — and I guess it’s kind of a […]
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Gennaro is my paternal grandfather’s last name. It was wonderful to read some history on St. Gennaro. Thanks.
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Januarius is like a million times cooler than Gennaro to me, because I do not like Italian names. LOLOLOLOLOL 😂😂😂
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Ha!
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I married an Italian guy whose dad was named Gennaro. I think we’re going to have a boy this time around and I’ve followed your writing for some time now. I was so excited when I saw that this was one of your posts!!! By tradition we will name our son Gennaro (Pronounced the Italian way because, like I said, my husband is Italian). The name has tons and tons of meaning for us as we have lived in Naples and witnessed the miracle of San Gennaro (we even have a picture of our daughter venerating the blood). ANYWAY I’m struggling with nicknames. 🙂 In Italy They would shorten to “Genny” or “Genna” (haha!) I’m thinking “Gege” pronounced “Jay Jay” or even “Gerry” when he gets older. I also mentioned “Gene,” but my husband doesn’t like that very much. ANYWAY I’m really excited that you like it, too!
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This is so cool!! Thank you for sharing this!!
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