Italian Names

An elaborate diminutive of Angelo or Ángel, this form may appeal to those who prefer long, intricate names. Pronounced as ang-jeh-LEE-no in Italian and as ang-kheh-LEE-no in Spanish, it is notably borne by Spanish footballer Angeliño (born José Ángel Esmorís Tasende). Sixteen boys were called Angelino in the US in a recent year. 

Angelino

A name that relates to Concepcion and the Virgin Mary, but feels a good deal more secular. 

Concetta

Stylish and dramatic, a la Donatella Versace. 

Donatella

As classic as it comes in Italy — Filippo was once common during the Renaissance, and today remains in the Top 25.  

Filippo

Lorenza

The sixth letter of the Greek alphabet, popularized by Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones -- Zeta was her grandmother's first name.  Zeta can also refer to the letter Z, the last in the Roman alphabet, or be a spelling variation of Zita, a name with several possible origins and meanings.

Zeta

Playful but with plenty of substance, Bartolo is an Italian short form of the grand Bartholomew which could lead you to further nicknames Bo and Tolly. Also used in Spanish, a notable bearer is Bartolo Longo, a former Satanist priest who returned to Catholicism and dedicated his life to his faith and charity. He was canonized as a saint in 2025 by Pope Leo XIV, which could renew interest in the new. 

Bartolo

Honora and Honoria are two ways of softening the severity of Honor, while retaining its righteous meaning. They were predominant until the Reformation, when the Puritans adopted the abstract virtue names, and were introduced to Britain by the Normans.
 Honoria Blake is a character in the Dickens novel Bleak House.
 The Irish form of the name is Onora. A variant spelling is Honorah.

Honora

The iconic rock group Duran Duran named themselves after the villain of the classic sci-fi movie "Barbarella," Dr. Durand Durand.  One bit of free advice: if your last name is Duran, don't name your son Duran.

Duran

You can't get more Italian than this name of the daddy of legendary twins Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome. A noted bearer is acclaimed Italian journalist and novel and short story writer Italo Calvino, author of Invisible Cities and <em?If on a winter's night a traveler. Trivia tidbit: Calvino was actually one of his <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/673/middle-names">middle names</a>.

Italo

Luciella is a feminine name that serves as an elegant elaboration of Lucia, ultimately derived from the Latin 'lux' meaning 'light.' This delicate name combines the luminous quality of its root with feminine suffixes, creating a name that sounds both classic and uncommon. Popular primarily in Italian-speaking regions and among families with Italian heritage, Luciella offers the cute nicknames Lucy or Ella while maintaining a more distinctive formal option. The name evokes images of radiance and brightness while carrying the graceful, flowing quality characteristic of Italian feminine names. Though relatively rare in English-speaking countries, Luciella represents a beautiful alternative to more common light-themed names like Lucy, Lucia, or Lucille.

Luciella

This is the Italian way to say Venice -- Ven-ETZ-ee-a -- but you might also opt for the softer Venetia or Venice itself.

Venezia

This lovely name is all but unknown outside Italy but fits perfectly in with the fashions for vowel-starting names that are elaborately feminine.  Might make a distinctive alternative to Angelina or Arianna.  Downside: People will inevitably mistake it for Adriana.

Abriana

Army plus meaner equals an unappealing name. 

Armina

This international color name, close enough to the English to be easily understood in the US or other English-speaking countries, ranks among the top names for girls in Italy.

Azzurra

Primo is number one among the Latin birth-order names--Octavius et al--and the one most likely to be used in these days of smaller families. It has that jaunty 'o' ending and Italian flavor that many modern parents like so much. And what little boy wouldn't appreciate being prime?
 Italian author Primo Levi, known for his writings on the Holocaust, is a famous bearer.

Primo

A fresher, feistier Italian variant of Marcia.

Marzia

Santa has an appealing sound, or maybe that's sleigh bells we hear?  It's difficult to separate the Italian girls' name Santa from the association to Mr. Claus, king of Christmas.  The German diminutive Senta -- or Snow or even Christmas -- might be an easier name to handle.

Santa

Cecilio is derived from Caecilius, an Ancient Roman surname that was likely originally bestowed upon someone who was blind.
 
Today you might expect Cecilio to a fashionable first name in part due to the prevalence of the related name Cecilia, but it was given to only 18 babies in 2021.

Cecilio

Agata is an Agatha form widely used throughout Europe.  And the hard t may be more appealing to your ear than the th sound.

Agata

Italian names are among the most romantic and melodious in the world. The top Italian baby names in the US today are Isabella for girls and Leonardo for boys.

 include Mia, Aria, Luna, Bella, and Gianna. Along with Leonardo,

 in the US Top 200 include Antonio, Emiliano, Giovanni, and Luca. 

 include Ginevra, Aurora, Francesco, and Alessandro. Contemporary Italian parents also like some non-Italian names for their babies. The German Alice and Emma along with the Hebrew Sara and Noemi are popular for girls. For boys, the Hebrew Nathan and the international favorite Liam are widely-used.

 include descriptions of the person’s character and destiny based on their name, claiming that a child named Donato will be sweet and impressionable, for instance, while Ilaria is optimistic and sociable.



Browse our full list of Italian baby names here.

Italian baby names for boys and girls including popular names and unique names of Italian origin, with meanings and popularity. (Page 14)

Italian Names for Girls and Boys