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Dec 23 2010 03:00 PM ET
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Amy Adams Explains Daughter Aviana’s Name

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When it came to naming her now 7-month-old daughter Aviana Olea, Amy Adams surprised even herself with her final choice.

After declaring herself a traditionalist, the actress and fiancé Darren Le Gallo instead chose to pay homage to Adams’ birthplace of Aviano, Italy.

“We had picked out a whole bunch of other names as well and we had thrown around Aviana, but I was into more traditional names and thought that we would go that direction,” The Fighter star shares during a visit to the Rachael Ray Show, airing Friday.

“But, when she was born we just kept calling her, ‘Avi, Avi, Avi.’”

Reflecting on her last visit to the show, Adams admits the benefits of motherhood even extend to her professional life.

“Oddly enough, I’m more relaxed. I’m not nervous sitting here talking, last time I was here I was just a mess,” she reveals. “[Aviana's] so calm, I think she calms me down. She was born mellow … So I roll with her punches, she’s great!”

Excited to celebrate baby girl’s first Christmas, Adams, 36, laughs there’s no need for presents — just wrapping paper! “We are at home, we’re just going to stay home and be really quiet. And hopefully keep it small and intimate,” Adams says.

“It’ll be fun! She’ll be more into the wrapping paper I’m sure! She’s really into eating paper right now, you know, because she’s a baby.”

 

 

– Anya Leon

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Comments (10) + Add a comment

Beautiful name! I love anything that is unique after growing up with what (at the time) was a very common name and being Jennifer #8 in elementary school classes. It’s great, too, that her name has meaning and sentimentality to it. Amy is beautiful and seems like she is a great mom. :)

- Jennifer on

I think it’s a beautiful name. It’s the middle name of Olea that I’d like to see explained. :)

- Corrie on

I love the nickname Avi….very sweet.

- Brooke on

LOVELY NAME!!!

- Lola on

I love the name Aviana! One of my fave! It’s very unique, but beautiful as well.

- Nella on

We just spent three years living in Aviano. When I first heard her daughter’s name I told my husband that I thought it sounded really close to Aviano and thought mayber her husband was from there. Very cool!

- TK on

I love the first name, Aviana…and love the nickname Avi. I was hoping to read an explanation of the middle name and was disappointed not to read anything about it. I’m not that crazy about it, but thought a special meaning might help it grow on me. The first thing I thought of was “oleo” (margarine) when I read it. I love Amy Adams and congratulate her on her new baby girl.

- Gram on

Olea=Olive

- kristen on

I think the name Aviana is beautiful.

- tanya on

Olea (and other varieties such as Oleana) was a very common name among my Scandinavian ancestors. :)

- DaPlane on

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