ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 1876 http://www.s-gabriel.org/1876 ************************************ From: "Sara L Friedemann" 17 Jan 2000 Greetings from the Academy of St. Gabriel! You wrote to us asking us about sources for the Italian feminine name , between 1000 and 1500. Here is what we have found. You were correct in mentioning the Italian masculine name , a name of good omen dating back to the Middle Ages, found primarily in north-central Italy. The name was given either in hopes that the bearer would live a serene and happy life or in thanks for the cheer and fortune which the birth of the child has caused for its family. [1] We found no sources for before modern times. [2] However, several variants existed in Italy from as early as the 11th century: [2,3,4,5] Alegranzia, 11th c. Allegrancia, 12th, 13th c. Allegranza, 1427, 12th c., 13th c. Alegreza, 14th c. Based on this evidence, we believe that was probably used by Italian women between 1000 and 1500 centuries. However, the most similar name we've found in use is , so that would be better re-creation. We hope that this letter has been useful to you, and that you will not hesitate to write again if any part was unclear or if you have further questions. Research and commentary on this letter was provided by Adelaide de Beaumont, Giles Leabrook, Maridonna Benvenuti, Talan Gwynek, Alan Fairfax, Arval d'Espas Nord, Mari Elspeth nic Bryan, and Amant le Marinier. For the Academy, Isfael ap Briafael & Aryanhwy merch Catmael January 17, 2000 ----------- References: [1] De Felice, Emidio, _Dizionario dei nomi italiani_ (Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, Milan, 1992). [2] Hanks, Patrick, and Flavia Hodges, _A Dictionary of First Names_ (New York: Oxford University Press, 1988, 1990). [3] Arval Benicoeur, "Feminine Given Names from the Online Catasto of Florence of 1427" (WWW: J. Mittleman, 1998) [URL:http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/arval/catasto]. [4] Arval Benicoeur and Talan Gwynek, "Fourteenth Century Venetian Personal Names" (WWW: J. Mittleman, 1999). http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/arval/venice14/ [5] Salvatori, Enrica, "4300 Citizens of Pisa Swear to Maintain the Alliance with Siena Pistoia and Poggibonsi" (http://library.byu.edu/~rdh/eurodocs/italia/pisani.html accessed 6/28/99).