Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2023 March 21

= March 21 =

Michaelangelo
Our article on the Renaissance artist gives his full name as Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni. In the 19th-century however, the spelling "Buonarotti" seems to have been more usual. Is one or the other preferable, and would you describe Buonarotti/Buonarroti as a surname? Doug butler (talk) 21:23, 21 March 2023 (UTC)


 * "Buonarroti Simoni" is a double-barreled surname. The first component is derived from the given name "Buonarrota" (or "Buonarroto"). I think Buonarotti is a misspelling, similar to grafitti for graffiti; historical documents as well as Michelangelo himself used "Buonarroti", and I suppose "Buonarroto" stems from buon + arroto. It seems Michelangelo did not actively use the combination; he was known by the name "Michelangelo Buonarroti", which was his preference, but in legal documents he used "Michelangelo Simoni".  --Lambiam 10:04, 22 March 2023 (UTC)


 * Thanks Lambiam. A clear exposition. Doug butler (talk) 06:22, 24 March 2023 (UTC)