Italian Names

A feminine form of Martin, this strong and zestful sounding name is popular in Argentina, Chile, Spain, and Italy, where it ranks in the Top 30. Also familiar in Czechia, the UK, Slovakia, and Switzerland, it has never made it big in the US, and fell out of the charts back in the 2000s.

Ultimately associated with Mars, the Roman god of war and with the 3rd century patron saint of Rome, it has also been borne by two notable tennis players, Martina Navratilova and Martina Hingis.

This original form of the name -- the more familiar Sylvia spelling came later -- seems more modern now.

Elisa is one of the most appealing of this contingent of Elizabeth-related names. In the US, Eliza is much more stylish these days, but Elisa is very popular internationally — especially in Europe and Latin America.

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

Sharper and steelier than Martha, but with the same underused vintage appeal.

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.

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.

Guido was very popular in Renaissance Italy, with many namesakes including painter Fra Angelico (born Guido di Pietro) and mathematician Guido Fubini. Guy Fawkes, of gunpowder plot fame, sometimes used this version. Nowadays it's unfairly overlooked, but in the current trend for snappy international names ending in -o, this cultured gem deserves more use.

Yet another winning international form of Peter.

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.

If Frederick feels too heavy, the Spanish and Italian has more energy. It's a long-term Top 20 name in Italy, and has neat nicknames like Fredo in Italian and Fede in Spanish. Famous bearers include the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca and the Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. Further back in history, it was the name of a fifth-century Visigoth leader, the brother of Theodoric II.

This elegant variation carries the same core meaning as Margaret while featuring the distinctive Italian pronunciation and spelling. The name has historical significance in Italy, where Saint Margherita of Cortona is a respected religious figure and Queen Margherita is the namesake of the Margherita pizza.

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.

More dramatic, worldly, and energetic spin on Gregory.