Normanna

Normanna is the feminine form of the Italian adjective and noun Normanno. In Italian, normanna denotes a woman of Norman origin or anything related to Normans when used as an adjective; it is most common in historical or literary contexts. As a standalone noun, normanna can mean a Norman woman, but this usage is relatively rare in contemporary Italian and more typical in older texts or scholarly writing.

Origin and usage. The term derives from Normanno, the Italian form of Norman, referring to the medieval people from the region of Normandy in present-day France. The feminine Normanna is formed by typical Italian gender agreement. In modern Italian, speakers more often express the idea with periphrasis such as una donna normanna or una donna di origine normanna, rather than relying on normanna as a bare noun.

Historical context. The Normans originated in Normandy and expanded their realm across parts of Europe during the Middle Ages. They established the Duchy of Normandy and later carried out significant conquests in southern Italy and Sicily in the 11th century. Norman influence is attested in architecture, law, and culture in these regions, and Italian historical writing frequently encounters feminine forms like normanna when describing women of Norman heritage or gendered cultural topics.

See also. Norman, Normanno, Normandia.