Italian boy names

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

This Latinate name would have no problem fitting into an American classroom. It has made frequent appearances in the US Top 1000 over the last several decades. Borne by several Spanish saints, it boasts both a rhythmic sound and popular o-ending.

The handsome Italian variant of Caesar, a name synonymous with Julius, leadership, emperors, and salad, Cesare offers a form with plenty of flair. A rising choice in Italy where it recently made the Top 50, it is pronounced with three syllables: CHEH-za-reh (or CHEH-za-ray among English speakers).

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.

Has a lot more charm than the ancient Hector.

The name of the great Renaissance astronomer and mathematician would make a distinctive hero-middle-name for the son of parents involved in those fields.

One of several Latin names starting with E that would work and play well with others in any family.

Ilario's merry, jovial sound reflects a shared root with the word hilarious.

Adriano is a dashing Italian name which gets around the possible gender confusion of Adrian.

This Italian form of Benedict sidesteps the Benedict Arnold association that still clouds the English version.

As commonly heard in Rome, Italy, as Steve is in Rome, New York. With the accent on the first syllable, Stefano has a lot of charm.

Was there ever a name that rolled more appealingly off the tongue? Vittorio calls to mind the glory days of Italian cinema, featuring names like Vittorio de Sica and Vittorio Gassman. 

Isaia is a masculine name with ancient biblical roots, representing a variant of Isaiah. Derived from the Hebrew 'Yesha'yahu' meaning 'God is salvation', it refers to the important prophet from the Old Testament. This particular spelling, Isaia, is common in Italian, Romanian, and some Eastern European languages. The name carries spiritual significance across multiple cultures and religions, particularly in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. While less common than Isaiah in English-speaking countries, Isaia has maintained consistent usage in Southern and Eastern Europe. The name combines religious heritage with a melodic quality, featuring flowing vowel sounds. Its international character makes it recognizable across different cultures while maintaining its distinctive spelling.

The name of the great Italian Renaissance sculptor known as Donatello (but born DONATO), is one that could easily emigrate to modern America, just like sister DONATELLA.

This sleek Italian name was raised from the dead by Mexican Mozart in the Jungle star Gael Garcia Bernal, who chose it for his son (he also has a daughter named Libertad). For athletic inspiration, Lazaro Alvarez, boxing for Cuba, is the three-time world champion lightweight boxer. Lazarus and root name Eleazar are both also destined for comebacks.

For anyone seeking a more unusual version of Alexander, this is a real winner.

Agostino is the Italian form of this increasingly popular ancient name.

Daniele is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, representing the Italian, French, and Portuguese version of Daniel, meaning 'God is my judge.' While primarily used for boys in these European cultures, it's important to note that in English-speaking countries, this spelling might be confused with the feminine 'Danielle.' The name carries biblical significance through the prophet Daniel, known for wisdom and dream interpretation. With its melodic three-syllable pronunciation (dah-nee-EH-leh), it offers a sophisticated European flair to the classic name. Daniele remains consistently popular in Italy and has moderate usage in other Mediterranean and Latin countries. Its international character makes it appealing for families with Italian or European heritage or those seeking a name that works well across different languages.

A fresh, Italianized take on the Hebrew classic Emmanuel. But beware of the similarities to the feminine name Emmanuelle.