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Rare Italian Names for Boys

Sophie Kihm
By Sophie Kihm
Updated Fri Feb 02 2024
Rare Italian Names for Boys

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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Italian Boy Names

Unique Boy Names

  1. Elio

    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  2. Aurelio

    • Origin:

      Italian; Spanish, variation of Aurelius

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  3. Orlando

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Roland

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  4. Dario

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Darius

    • Meaning:

      "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?
  5. Marcello

    • Origin:

      Italian and Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  6. Alessio

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Alexis

    • Meaning:

      "defender"

    • Description:

      Alessio, simpler than the related Alessandro, would be a welcome settler here.
  7. Luciano

    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of Lucian

    • Meaning:

      "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
  8. Saro

    • Origin:

      Armenian; Italian; Nigerian

    • Description:

      As a masculine name Saro has three origins:
  9. Elia

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Elijah, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  10. Francesco

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Francis

    • Description:

      Thanks to the inspiration of Pope Francis, Francesco has galloped to the front of the line to become the Number One boys' name in Italy. As Francesca has become a familiar and popular form of the name for girls in the wider world, so does the handsome Francesco have that potential for boys.
  11. Domenico

    • Origin:

      Spanish, Italian variation of Dominic, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "belonging to the Lord"

    • Description:

      Romantic and artistic Domenico is ripe for the picking as a relatively rare name that fits in with current favorites such as Leonardo and Emiliano.
  12. Carlo

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Charles, French

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      An energetic and friendly Italian classic, Carlo is popular in its native Italy, but also familiar across Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, France, and Brazil. A variation of the regal French and English classic Charles, it is ultimately derived from the Latin Carolus and the Germanic Karl, meaning "free man".
  13. Vincenzo

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Vincent

    • Meaning:

      "conquering"

    • Description:

      This classic yet poetic Italian name for boys, is a Top 50 choice in its native Italy, and has been climbing up the charts in the US and the UK too. It had sporadically made the US charts throughout the 20th century, but it has been consistently present since 2009.
  14. Vigo

    • Origin:

      Italian surname

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  15. Renzo

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Lorenzo

    • Description:

      Rakish nickname able to stand on its own.
  16. Massimo

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Maximus

    • Meaning:

      "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
  17. Amadeo

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "lover of God"

    • Description:

      Amadeo and Amedeo are both valid Italian forms of the Roman Amadeus, most famous as the middle name of the composer Mozart as well as the title of a movie about him. Mozart's name was actually the Greek Theophilus, but he transformed it to the Latin version. Amadeo is also used in Spain, where it was the name of a 19th century king who was born in Italy.
  18. Fiero

    • Origin:

      Italian word name

    • Meaning:

      "proud"

    • Description:

      Fiery sound and uplifting meaning, but it's also among the Top 100 dog names. Spelled Fiyero, it's the hero of the book and musical "Wicked."
  19. Camilo

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  20. Paolo

    • Origin:

      Italian, variation of Paul

    • Meaning:

      "small"

    • Description:

      Paolo is an irresistibly lush Italian name for boys, worlds more romantic than its spare English equivalent.