1) I was named Giovanni after my paternal grandfather, who died when he was 9 yo.  I am the only one in the family with blue eyes, and I got them from him.  Growing up, my grandma and relatives always told me that I looked like him.  I only saw one black-and-white picture of him, so I cannot see into those blue eyes, but I am honored to have his name and hope to make him proud. 2). Like most Italians, I do not have a middle name and was named after my paternal grandfather as it is custom to do and honor the head of the family by naming your first son after your father as opposed to calling your son after yourself and adding the suffix "Jr" to the name. I find that pretty egocentric.  So there is not a particularly inspiring story behind my name; I always liked it because it is not very common in Italy, and it always made me stand out a little as unique as I am. 3)The two things I share with new acquaintances when they ask me about my name is that I got it from my paternal grandfather, who died when my father was only 9 yo.  I am the only one in my extended family with blue eyes, and I got them from him.  I also like the fact that I was named after St John the Baptist, who Jesus saw as humble enough to ask to be baptized by him.

– Giovanni Banchini

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant