Italian Names

ALLEGRA is a delicate ballet-dancer name; ALLEGRO, which means a fast-paced movement in music, is stronger and more vibrant.

Allegro

An international form of Louis from the Venetian region of Italy, Alvise has is a name with plenty of flair and a note of creativity and artiness about it. Familiar in Italy, it has appeared in the Top 200 in recent years.
 
Notable bearers include the 15th century painter Alvise Vivarini (also known as Luigi), politician and social media personality Alvise Pérez, and actor Alvise Rigo.

Alvise

Derived from the Ancient Greek name Anacletus, Anacleto is used in Brazil, the Philippines, Brazil, and Italy among other Italian and Spanish speaking countries.  Meaning "invoked", it has a sharp yet elegant sound and may appeal as an alternative to Antonio and Aneglo.


Anacleto

Literally taken from an Italian word meaning "good", Buona could be seen as a bold and ambitious word and virtue name. Also the name of an American restaurant chain, it may appear as part of other names such as Buonaparte or Buonaccorsa.

Buona

The Italian variation of the celestial, 70s-favorite Angela, with a slightly different sound that might make it feel far more distinctive in to American ears.

Angiola

Popular in Italy where it ranks in the Top 200, Annachiara is a distinctive smoosh name, blending international Anna with sparky Chiara. Together, they form the meanings "grace and light" or "clear and graceful", which could be interpreted as spiritual or secular. 
 
Notable bearers include influencer Annachiara Zoppas and fashion editor Annachiara Biondi.

Annachiara

Brunetta is a feminine name of Italian origin, functioning as a diminutive form of Bruna, which means "brown" or "dark-haired." The name has medieval roots and traditionally referred to a woman with dark features, particularly brown or black hair. The suffix "-etta" adds a sense of endearment and femininity, common in Italian naming patterns. While never achieving widespread popularity outside of Italy, Brunetta has a melodic, romantic quality typical of Italian female names. It carries a vintage charm with its flowing syllables and musical pronunciation. The name might appeal to parents with Italian heritage or those seeking a distinctly feminine name with Latin roots that remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries.

Brunetta

Elegant and sparky at the same time, Annina is an elaborate Italian form of the international Anna. A sweet and unexpected way to get to nicknames Annie or Nina, the name was briefly popular in Sweden in the 2000s. Meaning "grace" (from Hebrew), Annina is notably borne by designers Annina Pfuel  and Annina Vogel — and more recently, it was chosen by Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank	for their daughter's middle name, born in 2026.

Annina

A spiritual name of Italian origin, Annunziata refers to the angel Gabriel visiting the Virgin Mary to tell her of the upcoming birth of Jesus. Annunciata is an alternative spelling, while diminutive Nunzia is more commonly used. 
 
One notable bearer is journalist and politician Annunziata Rees-Mogg.

Annunziata

A romantic and elaborate form of the popular Antonio, popular in Italy back in the 90s — and during the Renaissance period too. With playful shortform Nello and grounded Anton too, it has been borne by the 15th-century Italian painter Antonello da Messina, by singer Antonello Venditti, and actor Antonello Fassari. 
 
While feminine form Antonella is a familiar choice in the US, Antonello remains rare, given to around 20 boys since the 2000s.

Antonello

A rare Italian name with the familiar sounds of Arden, Arlo, Adriano, and Arturo, it has a dashing and confident meaning, which may appeal to those who enjoy virtuous choices like Brave, Courage, and Venture. It shares a root with the word ardent.

Ardito

Brune

Brio is a musical term with great verve and energy, with possibilities as a first name on the heels of such choices as Cadence, Allegra, and Rio. 

Brio

Although the international Arman is traditionally a male name, we have heard it used for girls.

Arman

Torquano Tasso likely invented this name for the magical enchantress who beguiles the crusaders in his celebrated poem Jerusalem Delivered. Armida is also the eponymous heroines of operas by Handel and Rossini and the name of an American actress, Armida Vendrell. 
 
As an invented name, its meaning is not certain, however, it may well be based on Amada or Amata ("beloved"), Armanda ("army woman"), Arminia ("whole, universal"), Artemisia or Artemidora ("gift of Artemis"), or Amadea ("loved by God").

Armida

Brigida is a feminine name with ancient roots, derived from the Celtic name Brighid, meaning "exalted one" or "high one." In Irish mythology, Brighid was a goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft. The name gained widespread use through Saint Brigid of Kildare, one of Ireland's patron saints. Brigida is the Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian form of the name, while Bridget is more common in English-speaking countries. Though not frequently used in the United States, Brigida remains moderately popular in countries with Latin-based languages. The name carries connotations of strength, wisdom, and spiritual devotion, appealing to parents seeking a name with both historical depth and multicultural appeal.

Brigida

Fanciful and elegant, Atanasio is a rare option that could work as an elaborate alternative to the more popular Antonio, Alessio, or Alonso. It is the Spanish and Italian form of the Greek Athanasius, the name of a 4th-century saint with the cool meaning "immortal".
 
Baseball player Tony Perez was born Atanasio while Atanasio Girardot was a Colombian revolutionary and military officer during the Colombian and Venezuelan wars of Independence. There's also painter Atanasio Bimbacci and musician Atanasio Bello Montero.

Atanasio

Just like its counterpart Athena, Atena has been on the rise in its native Italy, ranking in the Top 150 in a recent year. Derived from Greek, Athena is the goddess of wisdom, warfare, handicrafts, and courage, also associated with intelligence, owls, and olives. 



Atena

A stylish, multicultural option, Azzi may be considered a variation of the Italian Azzo, meaning "noble" or an Arabic name relating to the element azza meaning "to be powerful" or "to be cherished". As such, it may be related to Izz ad-Din (or Azzeddine), meaning "glory of religion", Azahara meaning "to shine", or Azza meaning "young gazelle".
 
Another possibility is that it is simply an English nickname for the likes of Azalea, Asia, Azia, or Azaria. 
 
It is notably borne by Azzi Fudd, basketball star and girlfriend to Paige Buecker, also a basketballer. Her parents chose the name in honor of Jennifer Azzi, a basketball player her mother admired. In both cases, the name is pronounced AY-zee, though A-zee would work too.

Azzi

As with the English-language cartoon Blondie, more a description than a name. 

Bionda

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 30)

Italian Names for Girls and Boys