Are you looking for a popular name of Italian origin for your little one? This article can guide you about some popular names from traditional Italian culture for boys as well as girls along with their meanings.
In the Italian culture, the day when the baby is named is as important as the day of its birth. According to traditional Italian naming customs, the babies are either named after one of the grandparents, aunts, or uncles. It has been observed that the first male child in the family is named after the paternal grandfather and the second male child is named after the maternal grandfather. The same rule applies for female children. It is also a custom to name children after a saint on whose feast day the baby was born. Though these traditions may not be followed by everyone nowadays, the act of circulating the same names in Italian families have given rise to some very popular names.
When it comes to Italian names, you need to concentrate on their pronunciation, which is a bit different from English pronunciations. Typically, ‘I’ in Italian is pronounced like a long ‘E’, while ‘GE’ sounds like ‘JEH’. However, most of the names are popular because of their meanings.
Italian Names for Boys
Italian Names | Meaning |
Alberto | Nobel, bright, famous |
Aldo | Noble |
Alessandro | Defender of mankind |
Angelo | Angel, Messenger |
Antonio | Priceless, Invaluable |
Ambrosi | Immortal, undying |
Anacleto | Called, back, Invoked |
Baldassare | Lord protect the King |
Battista | Baptist |
Bruno | Of/having Brown-colored hair, complexion, or clothing |
Bellino | Handsome, beautiful, lovely |
Bonaventura | Good fortune, good luck |
Carlo | Man |
Carmine | Vineyard, Garden, orchard |
Clemente | Gentle and Merciful |
Cosimo | Order, Beauty, Harmony |
Daniele | God is my judge, God has judged, My judge is God |
Davide | Beloved |
Durante | Enduring, steadfast, firm |
Elmo | Helmet, protection, worthy to be loved |
Emanuele | God is with us, We are with God |
Enrico | Ruler of the Household, Home ruler |
Feleti | Peace |
Gabriele | God is my might, strong man of God |
Georgio | Earth Worker, farmer |
Gian | Gift from God, God is gracious |
Guglielmo | Desire, will, protection, protector |
Gustavo | Staff of the Gods, Royal Satff |
Ignazio | Fire, unknowing |
Ilario | Happy, Cheerful |
Ippolito | Horse freeer |
Isaia | God is salvation, salvation of God |
Kosma | Universe, order |
Leo | A lion |
Leonardo | Like a lion |
Lazzaro | God has helped, God is my help |
Luigi | Famous warrior, famous fighter |
Macario | Blessed, happy |
Martino | From the God, Mars |
Matteo | Gift of God |
Maurizio | Moor, dark-skinned |
Napoleon | Son of the mist, of the new city |
Nico | Victorious people |
Nerio | Water |
Nestore | Return, home-coming |
Orlando | Famous country/land |
Othello | Wealth |
Ottavio | Eighth |
Palmiro | Pilgrim |
Paolo | Small, humble |
Prospero | Prosperous |
Raffaele | God has healed |
Rocio | Dew drops |
Renato | Reborn |
Sandro | Defending men |
Santino | Sacred, little saint |
Silvestro | A forest, from the woods/forest |
Taddeo | Uncertain, given of God |
Tancredo | Thoughtful counsel |
Teodosio | God’s gift |
Teofilo | Friend of God |
Ugo | Intelligence, heart, spirit |
Ulisse | Walker, to be angry |
Umberto | Color of earth, bright home, famous giant |
Valentino | Healthy, strong |
Ventura | Good fortune |
Vincente | Conquering, winning |
Vittorio | Conqueror, victor |
Vito | Life, vital, life-giver |
Italian Names for Girls
Italian Names | Meaning |
Aniella | Little lamb |
Aria | Lion, intelligence of an eagle |
Bella | My God is a vow, beautiful |
Belladonna | Beautiful woman |
Bia | Fair, white, pure |
Brigida | The exalted one, strong |
Cara | Friend, dear, beloved |
Catarina | Pure, clear |
Daniela | God is my judge, God had judged |
Donna | Lady |
Elletra | Brilliant, shining |
Eufemia | Fair speech, well-spoken |
Favianna | Hopeful |
Fia | Flame, flickering fire, arising from the dark |
Fiorella | Flower, blossom |
Gemma | Jewel, precious stone |
Giada | Precious green stone, Jade |
Gioconda | Happy, jovial |
Gracja | Grace, charm |
Immacolata | Immaculate |
Isabella | My God is a vow, God is my oath |
Loretta | laurel, pure |
Lucrezia | Gain, benefit |
Madonna | My lady |
Margherita | Pearl, bitter |
Mercede | Reward, mercy, grace |
Natalie | Christ’s birthday |
Nerina | Water, sea nymph |
Niccola | Victory of the people |
Palmira | Pilgrim, city of palms |
Perla | Pearl |
Rachele | Ewe, innocence of a lamb |
Renata | Reborn |
Rosabel | Beautiful rose |
Rosaria | Rosary |
Severine | Wise, prudent |
Sienna | Reddish orange-brown |
Teofila | Friend of God, loved by God |
Verdiana | Young, fresh |
Violetta | Violet color/flower |
Vittoria | Victory, to conquer |
Zeta | Girl, little girl, olive |
These are some of the most popular names that I have come across. I hope you are able to find the perfect name for your little prince or princess from this list. Best of luck!