ORNELLA

Ornella is an Italian feminine given name, probably derived from ornello, "flowering ash tree". It was coined by Gabriele D'Annunzio in his 1904 play The Daughter of Iorio and popularized by the fame of singer Ornella Vanoni and, later, of actress Ornella Muti. It is most widespread in central and northern Italy, as well as in Abruzzo, while it is rarer in the South of the country.