Maria?

[sacesta]

Searching through baptismal records for a church in Calatafimi I noticed that Maria was the middle name for almost every single entry.

So, I have to ask the question, what is the significance of this?

[mark04ox]

In many villages, people were commonly given the name of the local patron saint as a middle name. In the case of my village, loads of people have 'Donato' or 'Donata' in their name, because the patron saint is Saint Donatus.

According to Wikipedia, the patron saint of Calatafimi is Mary of Giubbino, and indeed Calatafimi has one of the most important Marian sanctuaries in Sicily, so that's probably the explanation.

[Italysearcher]

Even males were often given the name Maria (not Mario)

[sacesta]

Interesting. Thanks for the replies!

[suanj]

Hi,
the names of Saints as a well the name of the Madonna, Maria, was given for the devotion, but also to implore the protection of the Saint or the Madonna on the child, precisely giving the his/her name, so,
Maria alone or + another first name, abt females,
and a first name + Maria for males, it just means:
this child is yours Maria, protect it...
regards,
suanj

[sacesta]

Very interesting. I didn't know. Thanks suanj!