Italian Names for Boys

A playful yet elegant form of Cesare (CHEH-za-reh), a rising choice in Italy and a variation of the Latin Caesar. 

Cesarino

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

A short and jaunty nickname form of elegant Anacleto, this name ultimately derives from Ancient Greek, from which it means "invoked". It may appeal to those who like Clay, Leo, Leto, Lando, and Cato.

Cleto

A virtue-adjacent name, Costanzo comes from the Late Roman name, Constans, making it a relation of Constance and Constantine. Currently more popular in its feminine form (Costanza), it appears in the title of a 16th century Italian fairytale ( Costanza / Costanzo).

Costanzo

Straightforward but very unusual choice, deriving from a place-name in Italy. Renon is a city in South Tyrol. Its German name is Ritten, possibly associated with either the German word for a knight or a mounted warrior or with the Germanic element ragin meaning "counsel, advice", connecting it to Reynold, Rinaldo, Reynaud, and Reinhardt.

Renon

An elaborate and arty sounding choice, Eleuterio comes from the Greek Eleutherius giving it the confident and spirited meaning of "free". Familiar in Spain in the first half of the 20th-century, it has been given to a handful of boys in the US over the years too.

Eleuterio

An Italian form of the strong, Old English name Harold, Eraldo is slightly gentler in sound. Familiar in Brazil in the 20th century, another form of the name is Aroldo. 




Eraldo

The Italian form of the saint name Hermegoras, Ermacora is a rare but less clunky option. Associated with the first bishop of Aquileia, Italy in the 3rd century, Ermacora blends the name of the messenger god Hermes with the Greek agora and can be interpreted as meaning "assembly of Hermes" or more literally as "marketplace by the boundary marker".
 
The name is more likely to be used as a surname than a given name, as in the case of footballer Frederico Ermacora and politician Felix Ermacora. Celebrated Italian solider and veteran, Ermacora Zuliani, was one first name bearer, however.

Ermacora

While its feminine counterpart Rosetta is far more popular, this botanical boy name is an established choice, with a touch of poetic flair and an obvious nature-connection. Joining the likes of Florian and Viorel as a flower name for a boy, it is used very occasionally in Italy and the Philippines (and sometimes as a girl name too!)


Rosetto

A playful and unexpected possibility, Presto may appeal to those who like Banjo and Lyric along with Rio, Pablo, and Arlo.
 
The name comes from a variety of sources, including an Old English surname meaning "brushwood headland"; from the Italian word presto describing a piece of music with a fast tempo; and as a Cornish form of Preston ("priest town"), in the style of Jago, Pascoe, or Kitto.
 
In English, it may be best linked to the idiom "hey presto", an exclamation used both on stage by magicians performing tricks and in general conversation when something good happens quickly and suddenly, as if by magic.

Presto

An Italian form of the Ancient Roman name, Herminius, Erminio was a familiar choice in Brazil during the 20th century, perhaps reflecting the silent nature of the H-  from the typical Portuguese spelling, Hermínio.  While the exact origins of the name are uncertain, it is likely it comes from the name of the Greek messenger god, Hermes, though another theory is that it comes from Ermanno, the Italian form of Herman ("warrior, soldier"). 


Erminio

A way to nicknames Timi and Tio, Eutimio derives from the the Ancient Greek name Euthymius, lending it the optimistic and aspirational meanings "generous, good-natured" and "in good spirits". Popular in Spain in the early 20th century, it has featured in the US stats over the years, as recently as 2010. 

Eutimio

A theatrical and poetic feeling choice with the cool, mystical meaning "iron, sword", Ferruccio derives from the Latin Ferrutius, itself a saintly choice. Notable bearers have included the founder and designer of a luxury car brand, Ferruccio Lamborghini, composer and musician Ferruccio Busoni, director Ferruccio Casapinta, and opera singer Ferruccio Furlanetto. 

Ferruccio

A floral name for boys which may appeal to those who like the summery, nature-related meaning but don't want anything too frilly or flowery in sound. Fiorino comes from the Latin Florinus and has a touch of flair and distinctiveness about it. 
 
Some may connect it to the Fiat Fiorino, a model of small vans, which takes its name from fiorino d'oro, an Old Italian coin, known as a Florin in English.

Fiorino

Currently more popular in its feminine form, Flaminia (a Top 200 choice in Italy), Flaminio is an Italian form of the Latin Flaminius. Nothing to do with flames, the name comes from flamen: a Roman priest devoted to a particular "official" deity.

Flaminio

A melodic and golden name that is most familiar in Brazil and the Philippines, along within its native Italy, Flaviano ultimately comes from the Roman Flavius, meaning "golden-haired", or simply "golden, yellow".  Notable bearers have included the 19th century Italian painter Flaviano Bucci, operatic singer Flaviano Labò, and cyclist Flaviano Vicentini, along with one of the youngest generals of the Philippine Revolution, Flaviano Yengko.

Flaviano

Floral and fanciful but solid and elegant too, Floriano is a variation of international feeling Florian. Ultimately from the Latin Florus, meaning "flower", it has been notably borne by Brazilian president Floriano Peixoto and footballer Floriano Vanzo. 

Floriano

A floral boy name without any frills, Floro is a rare variation of Florus, less familiar that Florian or the similar Florence, but potentially appealing to those looking for rare boy names ending in -o. The name is sometimes used in the Philippines, Columbia, and Peru, and more quietly still in Brazil, Mexico, and Italy. 
 
Ultimately derived from Latin, the name is pronounced FLAW-ro in Italian and FLO-ro in Spanish, and has been notably born by illustrator Floro Dery. The name shouldn't be confused with the Norwegian place name, Florø, which has a different origin (for Old Norse, meaning "flat ground" or "flood").

Floro

A name with a pleasing hue, Fulvio comes from the Latin fulvus used poetically to describe saturated bronze and gold, the coats of lions and eagles and the color of sand and earth. Considered the Italian and Spanish form of the Roman Fulvius, it has been borne by basketball player Fulvio de Assis, historian Fulvio Orsini, cross country skier Fulvio Valbusa, and poet Andrea Fulvio, just to mention a few.

Fulvio

An upbeat though slightly extravagant choice, Galeazzo is the Italian variation of Galahad, a name from Arthurian legend, borne by a pure-hearted knight who succeeds in finding the Holy Grail.
 
The exact origins of the name are unknown, but one possibility is that it comes from the Biblical Gilead, meaning "heap of witness". Other sources suggest it has its roots in Welsh, however, from which it may mean "hawk of summer" or "battle hawk". 
 
This form was used in Renaissance Italy, borne by painter Galeazzo Campi, the architect Galeazzo Alessi, and by a Duke of Milan who helped keep the Plague from the city. More recently, 20th century actor Galeazzo Benti and politician Galeazzo Ciano.

Galeazzo

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 11)

Italian Boy Names