Whether you’re Italian yourself, have Italian heritage in your background, or just love the smooth, rolling sounds of the Italian language, you can find the right Italian name on the list. Boy names, girl names, pet names, and famous Italian names of history and antiquity, this list is your one-stop shop for an Italian name that’s right for you.
​Most Popular Italian Boys Names
​Francesco |
​Topping the list for a few years in a row, “Francesco†is the most popular boy’s name in Italy. |
​Riccardo |
​Meaning “great leader,†it’s the Italian version of “Richard.†|
​Antonio |
​Though the origin is not entirely agreed upon, many believe the name means “of high value†or “priceless.†|
​Alessandro |
​From the Greek “Alexander,†the name calls back to Alexander the Great, one of the most well-known conquerors of all time. |
​Pietro |
​Also borrowed from the Greeks, Pietro derives from “Petros,†meaning rock. |
​Christian |
​Unsurprisingly, Christian means “a follower of Christ.†|
​Giovanni |
​One of the most Italian of Italian names, Giovanni is actually the Italian version of “John.†|
​Diego |
​Diego is a swashbuckling Italian name, perfect for any future feats of derring-do. |
​Filippo |
​The Italian version of “Philip,†the name means “loves horses.†|
​Emanuele |
​Also spelled “Immanuel,†it means “God is with us.†|
Most Popular Italian Girls Names
​Isabella |
​You absolutely cannot go wrong with a girl’s name that means “beautiful.†Shortens nicely to “Bella†or “Bell.†|
​Sofia |
​One of the most popular Italian girl names of all time, Sofia means “wisdom,†and was shared by famous sex-symbol, actress, and singer Sofia Loren. |
​Aurora |
​Not only the name of a Disney princess, Aurora is an Italian name that means “dawn.†|
​Gaia |
​Gaia means “Earth,†and was the name of the goddess who protected the world. |
​Aria |
​Meaning “song,†it can also be spelled “Arya,†like the famous butt-kicking assassin girl from Game of Thrones. |
​Giulia |
​The Italian equivalent of “Julia,†Giulia means “youthful.†|
​Emma |
​One of the most popular names in Italy, the U.K., and America, Emma is a beautiful name that means (appropriately) “universal.†|
​Ginevra |
​Ginevra has two meanings, depending on the origin. It can either be the Italian version of “Guinevere†from the Author mythos, or it can mean “juniper.†|
​Alessia |
​The Italian version of “Alexa†or “Alexandra,†it has been in the top ten Italian name popularity charts for decades. |
​Giada |
​Also a famous Italian TV chef, Giada means “jade.†|
Great Italian Names for Pets
​Cucciolo |
​Cucciolo means “puppy,†and you could also call him or her “Cucci.†|
​Peloso |
​Peloso means “furry,†and works for any hirsute pet. |
​Carino |
​The Italian word for “cute,†Carino is an adorable nickname for an adorable pet. |
​Cane |
​Pronounced “CAH-nay,†it derives from “canine†and means “dog.†|
​Leone |
​Meaning “lion,†it’s a strong name for a cat. |
​Strix |
​A legendary bird in Roman mythology, known for its thirst for blood. |
​Uccello |
​Another name for a bird, this word means “bird†in Italian. |
​Artiglio |
​Any animal with dangerous paws could use this name, which means “claw†in Italian. |
​Coda |
​Also a musical term, this word means “tail.†|
​Nereid |
​A water-fairy of myth, this name works for any fish or aquatic creature. |
Old Roman Names
​Lorenzo |
​From the Roman “Laurentius,†it meant a man from a town called Latium. |
​Remus |
​The lesser-known brother of “Romulus,†the mythical founder of Rome, the name is also shared by Remus Lupin from Harry Potter. |
​Pollux |
​Pollux means “sweet,†and pairs nicely with “Castor,†the next entry down. Castor and Pollux were mythical twin sons of Zeus. |
​Castor |
​Castor means “shining.†Castor also works great with “Pollux,†his twin in Roman myth. |
​Tatius |
​Tatius was a king in Roman mythology. |
​Alba |
​An old Roman name, and the female equivalent of “Albus,†meaning “white.†|
​Marcella |
​From “Mars,†the god of war, and the name of the fourth planet. |
​Aella |
​Aella means “storm†or “whirlwind,†and is an awesome name for a girl. |
​Fausta |
​A Roman name that means “lucky.†|
​Carina |
​Carina means “beloved,†and shortens nicely to “Cara†or “Rina.†|
Lesser Known Italian Names
​Renato |
​This name means “born again.†|
​Umberto |
​Though lesser known, Umberto is totally awesome and means “renowned warrior.†|
​Saverio |
​Borrowed from the Spanish, it’s the Italian version of the name “Xavier.†|
​Massimo |
​No, not the Target clothing line. Massimo means “the greatest.†|
​Tiziano |
​Of uncertain origin, Tiziano could mean “titan,†“honor,†or just be a cognate of “Titus.†|
​Gioia |
​An old European girl’s name, Gioia means “jewel†or “gem.†|
​Ilenia |
​Also spelled Ylenia, this name means “plant†or “tree.†|
​Marzia |
​An alternate spelling for “Marcia,†derived from the god of war, Mars. |
​Antonella |
​The female “Antoni,†this comes with the fantastic nickname “Nella†or “Nell.†|
​Giusy |
​Taken from the original French “Josephine,†Giusy means “God increases.†|
A Rose by Any Other Name
With 50 Italian names to choose from, you should be well on your way to giving that baby boy, baby girl, dog, or fictional character a proper musical name of Italian heritage and style.