615+ Italian Names for Girls and Boys

Name that's virtually unknown here but has a lovely meaning and a simple sound and spelling.

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

Leonida is the modern Italian form of the name of the ancient Spartan king. Though names that end in a or the a sound are usually feminine, there are several examples popular in recent years -- Luca, Joshua, Noah -- that make this more plausible for a boy.

The fashion for elaborate girly-girl names, especially those that end with -ella or -ana, has put this distinctive Latin favorite into play.

Religious name long common in Italy, as is the diminutive Santino. In the Cornwall region of England, it's a traditional diminutive for Alexander.

One of the newer geographical site names, it has the advantage of sounding like a real girl's name because of its jen beginning and feminine a ending.

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.

Raffaella is the Italian form of the lovely name Raphaela, the female version of the angel's name Raphael, gorgeous in any spelling or international variation. Raffaella is one of the most appealing Italian baby names for girls.

Le Pew. We don't think so, although it's a megacommon nickname name in Latino countries.

There are many more substantial Italian choices.

A cool and breezy nature name with a stylish sound, used by Volkswagen for one of its cars.

Onetime superstar name (Number 4 in the seventies) that's now in steep decline. Today's feminine is more likely to be some form of Michaela...or Makayla.

Standard Latin classic.

See THOMAS.

Romantic Italian choice.

One of the few Italian forms less attractive than the original, this time because it will forever be mistaken with the feminine version.

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