Italian Names for Boys

Tristano is the Italian form of Tristan, a name with Celtic origins meaning 'tumult' or 'outcry.' Steeped in romantic tradition, Tristano evokes the legendary tale of Tristan and Isolde, bringing associations of passionate love and tragic romance. This melodic name has a sophisticated European flair that appeals to parents seeking something distinctive yet historical. While more common in Italy and other Mediterranean countries, Tristano remains relatively rare in English-speaking regions. The name's musical quality and romantic literary connections make it appealing for parents drawn to names with artistic and cultural depth.

Tristano

Surprising relative of the French saints' name Blaise, which is definitely easier on the English ear than vowelsome Italian version.  Also spelled BIAGIO.

Biaggio

Roreto is a handsome Italian place-name that is reminiscent of and might be shortened to the Irish Rory.  

Roreto

Timeo is a Top 100 name in France but is virtually unknown in the English-speaking world.  Appearing briefly in the New Testament and related to Timon, a Shakespearean name, Timeo is a valid possibility for parents looking for an unusual name with cross-cultural cred.

Timeo

A zippy Italian choice, derived from a Sabine-Latin family name whose meaning is unknown, Tazio is a relation of Tatiano and Tatiana. Other sources suggest it might also be used as a short form of the names of Eustazio ("stable"), Lutazio ("a wrestling") and Anastasio ("resurrection") or possibly, though rarely, as a variant of Taddeo ("gift of god").
 
The name maybe pronounced in different ways: tatt-syo if it's taken as a stand-alone option, or tah-zee-o, if used as a short form.
 Notable bearers of the name include racing driver Tazio Nuvolari and footballer Tazio Roversi.

Tazio

Given to a small handful of boys each year since 2016, Italian surname Rizzo could make an unexpected and sparky choice for a boy. Similar in sound to Reese, Rio, and Rico, parents may have been inspired by baseball player, Anthony Rizzo.
 
Derived from the word riccio, Rizzo means "curly-haired", it was given to 8 boys (and 5 girls) in 2024.

Rizzo

Familiar in France where it ranked in the Top 400 in a recent year, Orso is related to the English Orson, Swiss Urs, and astronomy-inspired Ursa. Derived from the Latin ursus, it is the Italian word for a male bear "bear", making this both a word name and an animal name. 
 
Historically borne by Orso Ipato, the third Doge (leader) of Venice in the 8th century, a more contemporary bearer is actor Orso Maria Guerrini.
 
With its cool -O ending, Orso might appeal as an alternative to Otto or Roscoe.

Orso

Ravello is an Italian town on the Amalfi Coast. It's a popular travel destination and was a favorite spot for many notable creatives, including Virginia Woolf, Greta Garbo, and Tennessee Williams. 
 
With its cool -o ending, sharp V sound, and slight similarity to Rafael, Ravello could work as a bold but not outrageous choice. In fact, two celebrities have already picked it: Woody Harrelson used it as the middle name of his daughter Makani in 2006, and British reality TV star Lucy Mecklenburgh gave it as a middle to her son Roman in 2020. 
 
The exact meaning of the name is unknown, but theories include that it emerged from the Latin rebello meaning "revolt" or "wage war" or from the Italian rivellino (likely derived from Latin), referring to a type of fortification also known as a ravelin.

Ravello

This Italian version of the ancient Roman Livius, with an unenviable meaning, is popular in France and make a fresh spin on Oliver or Levi. In the US, this is a very rare name -- it was given to only five baby boys in 2024 -- with big potential thanks to its similarily to Livia and Olivia.

Livio

The Italian form of the classic Biblical name, appearing in the Old Testament as the second son of Adam and Eve, Abele also doubles up as a word name, referring to the white poplar tree. From its Hebrew roots, it means "breath", while the name of the tree ultimately comes from the Latin albus meaning "white".
 
As an Italian name, it would be pronounced as a-BEH-leh and has been notably borne by mountaineer Abele Blanc. As a nature name, it is said as uh-BIHL, uh-BAYL, or as AY-bl (like Abel in English), depending on region.
 
It is also the name of a small village in Belgium.

Abele

Zippy and cool, Alfeo is a charming Italian choice with the potential nicknames Alfie and Feo. It is a form of the Biblical name Alphaeus which appears in the New Testament, borne by the father of the apostles Levi and James. 
 
This form is sometimes considered the Spanish variation too, while an alternative spelling is Alfio.

Alfeo

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

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

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

The feminine form, Lucrezia, is currently far better known than this romantic variation of the ancient Roman Lucretius, but it holds plenty of potential as a way to nicknames Luc and Luca or as an alternative to Lorenzo.

Lucrezio

A poetic and arty diminutive of Bruno, Brunello appears in the Italian epic Orlando by Boiardo and Ariosto (written in the 15th and 16th centuries respectively). A way to nicknames Bru, Bo, Nello, and Bruno itself, it is also the name of the rather fancy wine, Brunello di Montalcino.

Brunello

A playful name with an animal meaning, Catello derives from the Roman Catellus, ultimately from the Latin catulus. While it is typically translated to mean "puppy", it is sometimes used to refer to young animals in general too.
 
The name is predominantly used in its native Italy, notable bearers being Olympic rower Catello Amarante I, 8th century saint and bishop, Catello di Castellammare, and footballer Catello Cimmino.

Catello

Lilting and handsome, Celino can be used as a short form of Marcelino, or as the Spanish and Italian variant of the Ancient Roman name Caelinus. A rare choice that saw moderate use in Brazil in the 1940s and 50s, it is much less popular than its feminine counterpart, Celina, or its longer form Marcelino. 
 
If considered a variation of Caelinus, the name can mean "heavens" or "heavenly". As a short form of Marcelino, it is connected to Mars, the Roman god of war, giving it the more figurative meaning "little warrior".
 
The pronunciation of the name varies, depending on language and location. In Italian, it would be heard as cheh-LEE-no, while in European Spanish, it's theh-LEE-no. In Latin American, however, seh-LEE-no is most common, and likely how English speakers would say it too.

Celino

The Italian variation of the Ancient Roman name, Scipio, Scipione was predominantly used during the Italian renaissance period. Meaning "walking stick" or "staff" in Latin, it is associated with the Roman general Scipio Africanus, known as a conqueror of Africa in ancient times. 
 
The Scipione form has a number of famous bearers, including historian and philosopher Scipione Ammirato, mathematician Scipione de Ferro, and the geologist Scipione Breislak. Also worn by a number of cardinals and bishops, the Italian prince Scipione Borghese, and a 20th century painter known mononymously as Scipione, it has musical ties too, being the title of an opera by George Frideric Handel.

Scipione

Italian names for baby boys are becoming increasingly popular among parents of all ethnicities, in part because many of them feature the oh-so-stylish final letter "O." This has contributed to the rise of such Italian names for boys as Matteo and Leonardo.

Italian names for boys in the US Top 1000

 include Emiliano, Aldo, Dante, Enzo, Luca, Maximo, Rocco, Romeo, and Santino. 

 that are becoming more popular include Cassio, Piero, and Giorgio.

 in Italy include Leonardo — currently ranking Number 1 in its native land — Alessandro, Francesco, and Giuseppe. Some non-Italian names popular for boys in Italy include Christian, Nathan, and the international favorite Liam.

See if any of the charming names in our list of 

 might work for your son. The Italian boy names and meanings below are ranked according to their current popularity on Nameberry.

Italian boy names including meanings and popularity, with male names of Italian origin used in Italy, the US, and around the world. Includes top Italian boy names such as Enzo and Luca along with rare Italian names for baby boys. (Page 10)

Italian Boy Names