Italian Names

Emanuela is the feminine form of Emanuel, derived from the Hebrew name Immanuel meaning 'God is with us.' This beautiful name carries significant religious heritage, appearing in biblical text as a prophetic name. Emanuela is more common in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian-speaking countries than in English-speaking regions. The name has a flowing, romantic quality with its five syllables and melodic ending. Emanuela offers the friendly nicknames Ema, Manu, Ela, or Nella. The name projects elegance and spiritual depth, making it appealing to parents seeking a name with both historical significance and feminine grace. Despite being less common in the United States, its international recognition gives it sophisticated cross-cultural appeal.

Emanuela

Graziella, an Italian form of Grace, is another Latin version that adds spice. Consider Graziella as a distinctive alternative to either Grace or Gabriella.

Graziella

Nicola, an elegant Latinate feminization of Nicholas, has long been standard issue for English girls but for some reason has never voyaged across the Atlantic, which we consider a pity, especially as Nicole's standing has waned.
 
 In Britain, Nicola first appeared around 1940, started rising in the fifties and by the mid-1970's had reached third place on the popularity list, after which it began to be replaced by Nicole.

 Nicola is a masculine name in Italy: one historic bearer Nicola Pisano was a renowned and influential thirteenth century sculptor. Classic Nicola still ranks well within the Top 100 boy names in Italy, although it is trending steadily downwards like its English equivalent.

 In his novel The Well Beloved, Thomas Hardy spelled it Nichola. Nicoletta or Nicolette, which was the name of an enchanting princess in the medieval French romance Aucassin et Nicolette, is a more feminissima version.

Nicola

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

Agostino

A Latinate name with a lot of dash and bravado. 

Corrado

The first syllable of Laura in Italian rhymes with now, so Lauretta does not really sound like the decidedly midcentury Loretta thought most English speakers will pronounce it that way. Still, this <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/505/italian-names-for-girls">Italian names for girls</a> feels more closely related to the classic beauty Laura and somehow more charming and unusual.

Lauretta

This elegant, minimally-spelled name could be a variant of Rosanna/Roseanna. But it's also the Portuguese version of Roxana, with all the meaning and history of the name, but none of the "Roxanne" associations.

Rosana

Amadea is a strong and musical feminine form of Amadeus, as in Mozart. In more conservative times, Amadea might have seemed too strange for use on a contemporary baby, but by today's sensibility, it makes a good update for Amanda or Amy.

Amadea

Amaranta is the unusual and intriguing Latinate form of the Greek botanical name Amarantha, which connects to an eternal mythical figure.  An excellent choice for the parent who wants an A name but wishes to move beyond the usual complement of names from Amelia to Annabel.

Amaranta

Ricco is a masculine name with Italian and Germanic origins. It's a variant spelling of Rico, which derives from the Germanic 'ric' meaning 'powerful,' 'ruler,' or 'wealthy.' In Italian, 'ricco' directly translates to 'rich' or 'wealthy.' The doubled 'c' gives the name a distinctly Italian flair. While not among the most common names, Ricco has maintained steady usage across Italian-speaking regions and has seen periodic popularity in other European countries and the United States. The name conveys strength, abundance, and prosperity. Its short, punchy sound with the strong 'k' consonant gives it a bold quality. Ricco suggests someone with confidence, charisma, and perhaps good fortune in life.

Ricco

A Beretta is a gun, so named because of the Italian firearms manufacturer that makes it.  And now Beretta is also a badass baby name, used in the middle for daughter Breeze by Bristol Palin baby daddy Levi Johnston.  What a Tripp.

Beretta

This Latinized form of a name that's well used in Italy and Spain is sometimes heard, oddly enough, in Ireland.

Alphonsus

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.

Cassio

Derived from the Italian word amico, this friendly name can also be stylized as D'Amico. It has been appearing in the US stats since the early 70s, used in small numbers.

Damico

Retro nickname Rocky with a spelling twist that feels both very modern (think Indi, Rori, Remi, Beni) but also totally in tune with its vintage vibes (think Joni, Patti, Terri, Toni). Chosen by Rihanna & A$AP Rocky for their daughter in 2025, as an obvious nod to her dad's professional name, it may see more use in coming years.
 
The meaning of the name varies, depending on where you wish to trace its roots. On one hand, it could be a word name, simply referring to a rocky, pebbly place; it could equally come from Rochelle, also meaning "rock". Alternatively, there's Italian Rocco, whose meaning is sometimes listed as "rook, crow" or as "rest, repose". In the case of Rihanna & A$AP Rocky's daughter, it may be inspired by A$AP Rocky's birth name, Rakim, meaning "merciful, kind".

Rocki

Giordano is an Italian masculine name derived from the Latin name Jordanus, meaning 'flowing down' or 'descending,' referring to the Jordan River. It gained prominence in Italy during the Renaissance period, with notable bearers including the philosopher Giordano Bruno. The name combines historical gravitas with melodic Italian charm. While consistently used in Italy throughout the centuries, it remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, giving it an air of distinction and uniqueness. Giordano has maintained steady popularity in Italy, where it's appreciated for its strong sound and cultural heritage.

Giordano

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

Ilario

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.

Isaia

This Old Norse girl name has a lovely meaning and a familiar yet distinctive sound.

Edda

Federica is the Latin version of Frederica, one of those formerly stuffy <a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">female names</a> -- think Josephine and Eleanor -- that feels fresh and elegant again. And Federica has more energy without that first r.

Federica

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 15)

Italian Names for Girls and Boys