Rare Italian Names for Boys
Updated Fri Feb 02 2024
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These rare Italian names for boys are heard more often in Rome, Italy than Rome, New York, but are eminently usable here as Italian names continue to grow in favor. Some of the top boy names in Italy are ripe for American discovery — Nicolo and Giulio, Alessio and Vincenzo.
Along with Nicolo and Alessio, other Italian names that are rare in the US but common in Italy include Pietro, Elia, Emanuele, Jacopo, Giorgio, Domenico, and Raffaele. Classic Italian choices that would easily translate on an American child include Federico, Adriano, Francesco, and Marcello. If you love Italian names but want to go beyond Luca and Leonardo, explore this list of our favorite rare Italian names for boys, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
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- Elio
Origin:
Italian, SpanishMeaning:
"sun"Description:
Elio is a sunny and spirited Italian and Spanish name that makes a great crossover prospect, which could catch on as Enzo has. Elio is also currently popular in France, ranking in the Top 250.
- Aurelio
Origin:
Italian; Spanish, variation of AureliusMeaning:
"the golden one"Description:
Aurelio is an energetic Italian name rarely heard in the US, with an attractive aura. As the female version Aurelia gains greater notice, we expect to hear more from Aurelio too. In fact, Aurelio has recently entered the Top 1000 in the US in 2022. Next to follow might be latinate versions Aurelius and Aurelian.
- Luciano
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of LucianMeaning:
"light"Description:
A vibrant, operatic choice with plenty of flair and plenty of familiarity too. Popular in Italy, Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil, it also ranks in the Top 500 in France and the US. Operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti and football manager Luciano Spalletti are two notable bearers
- Orlando
Origin:
Italian variation of RolandMeaning:
"famous throughout the land"Description:
Orlando, the ornate Italianate twist on the dated Roland, with a literary heritage stretching back to Shakespeare and before, has appealing book-ended o's, and is open to combination with almost any last name, a la British actor, Orlando Bloom.
- Renzo
Origin:
Diminutive of LorenzoDescription:
Rakish nickname able to stand on its own.
- Marcello
Origin:
Italian and SpanishMeaning:
"young warrior"Description:
Based on the ancient name Marcellus, drawn from Mars the god of war, Marcello -- it's pronounced mar-chell-o -- is one of the most lush and attractive Latin names.
- Alessio
Origin:
Italian variation of AlexisMeaning:
"defender"Description:
Alessio, simpler than the related Alessandro, would be a welcome settler here.
- Dario
Origin:
Italian variation of DariusMeaning:
"possessing goodness"Description:
More creative and artsy than Mario. Dario is starting to edge up the US popularity list after languishing near the bottom of the Top 1000 over the last four decades. Is that inspired by Dario's popularity in Italy, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland?
- Carlo
Origin:
Italian variation of CharlesDescription:
Energetic Italian classic that would blend with a surname of any ethnicity.
- Valentino
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"strength, health"Description:
A dashing, dramatic and romantic Italian surname, associated with early movie heartthrob Rudolph, and later with Italian fashion designer Valentino (Garavani). Also the name of an early Roman saint, whose feast day marks the beginning of spring. Ricky Martin chose it for one of his twin boys.
- Cosimo
Origin:
Italian variation of CosmoMeaning:
"order, beauty, universe"Description:
Dramatic and worldly, Cosimo was chosen by singer Beck and his wife, Marissa Ribisi, for their son. Now that Cosima has emerged as a starbaby favorite, twin brother Cosimo could join her.
- Ciro
Origin:
Italian variation of CyrusDescription:
This name of an old Hollywood nightclub still retains a spark of glamour.
- Camilo
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"young ceremonial attendant"Description:
The increasing popularity of Camila may have pushed this underrated Spanish name into the Top 1000 — though it remains far less popular than its feminine counterpart. A perfect familiar-but-rare choice.
- Massimo
Origin:
Italian variation of MaximusMeaning:
"the greatest"Description:
Massimo is a Latin charmer and while it might feel like a big name for a baby (or anyone, really), it has a touch of gentleness about it too, owing to the S sounds. A charismatic member of the Maximus/Magnus family, Massimo means "greatest" and has been a enduring favorite in Italy, where it has remained in the Top 100 over the last two decades
- Cassio
Origin:
Italian variation of CassiusMeaning:
"hollow"Description:
Cassio is a notable Shakespearean name that's a member of the ever-more-popular Cassius family of names. Cassio was Othello's young, good-looking, and flirtatious lieutenant.
- Lucio
Origin:
Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese variation of LuciusMeaning:
"light"Description:
About 100 baby boys were named Lucio in the US last year, a number we expect to increase with the growing popularity of all names in the Lu family. It's a family united by sound, with three main branches.
- Paolo
Origin:
Italian, variation of PaulMeaning:
"small"Description:
Paolo is an irresistibly lush Italian name for boys, worlds more romantic than its spare English equivalent.
- Sandro
Origin:
Diminutive of Alessandro, ItalianMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
Lengthy, romantic Alessandro gives us the friendly and casual nickname Sandro, which works just as well as an independent name. It’s a popular international name, having ranked in Italy, France, Portugal, and Switzerland in recent years.
- Elia
Origin:
Italian variation of Elijah, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah is God"Description:
A multicultural appellation, found in Hebrew, Italian, and Zuni, this likable name made famous by director Elia Kazan's only problem is the feminine a ending. But then again, that never hurt Joshua.
- Vigo
Origin:
Italian surnameMeaning:
"settlement"Description:
Vigo is both an Italian and Spanish surname and a Scandinavian first name. As a place name, it's found in Spain, Italy, England – and Indiana.