Paonessa was the surname of a teacher I had when I was in 4th grade (technically she was a student teacher, but I liked her better than my actual teacher). It was pronounced puh-NES-uh. I'm guessing in her case it was someone's last name (perhaps her mother's maiden name?).
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www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/109399www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/91835http://greens-end.myminicity.com/ind