Italian Boy Names
- Vitus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"life"Description:
No-no appelation of a child saint and martyr whose name is a term for the nervous condition known as Saint Vitus' Dance. Its one recommending feature is that it's among the elite group Boy names that mean life.
- Stefano
Origin:
Italian variation of StephenMeaning:
"garland, crown"Description:
As commonly heard in Rome, Italy, as Steve is in Rome, New York. With the accent on the first syllable, Stefano has a lot of charm.
- Agostino
Origin:
Italian variation of AugustineMeaning:
"great, magnificent"Description:
Agostino is the Italian form of this increasingly popular ancient name.
- Silvio
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese form of SilviusMeaning:
"wood, forest"Description:
A shiny and sylvan choice, this sleek yet spirited name feels familiar yet is rarely used.
- Benvolio
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"good wisher; peacemaker, benevolent"Description:
A kindly, virtue-adjacent name, it appears in Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, borne by the peacemaker friend who persuades Romeo to go to the party where he meets Juliet. Alas. A bold choice but with familiar nicknames Ben, Lio, and Bo.
- Maximo
Origin:
Spanish variation of Maximus, LatinMeaning:
"greatest"Description:
With the ubiquitous Max heard at every playground across the US, international versions have been gaining traction in an attempt to provide a fresh avenue to the highly sought nickname. This Spanish iteration has been in the US Top 1000 since the early 2000s and is currently trending upwards.
- Amadeo
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"lover of God"Description:
Amadeo and Amedeo are both valid Italian forms of the Roman Amadeus, most famous as the middle name of the composer Mozart as well as the title of a movie about him. Mozart's name was actually the Greek Theophilus, but he transformed it to the Latin version. Amadeo is also used in Spain, where it was the name of a 19th century king who was born in Italy.
- Nino
Origin:
Italian, diminutive of Giannino and of AntoninoDescription:
Old-school Italian names that shortens a wide range of longer names, making it feel much more popular than it is on its own.
- Mattia
Origin:
Italian variation of MatthewMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
As parents go searching for alternatives to the unstoppable Mateo/Matteo duo, Mattia stands out as a worthy option. Same handsome, alluring feel, for a fraction of the popularity. Buy now!
- Giulio
Origin:
Italian variation of JuliusDescription:
Giulio is a Top 50 name in Italy, and we think Giulio is a good candidate to follow, especially now that Giovanni and Gianni are in up in the US charts. It's an interesting alternative to popular cousins Julian and Julius. And of course the most famous Giulio of all is the Emperor, Giulio Cesare.
- Santo
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"saint, holy"Description:
Religious name long common in Italy, as is the diminutive Santino. In the Cornwall region of England, it's a traditional diminutive for Alexander.
- Faro
Origin:
Italian word nameMeaning:
"lighthouse"Description:
Names ending with O are popular, but this one is almost unheard-of. Faro has the advantages of being easy to spell and pronounce (unless it's confused with Pharaoh), and a bright meaning. Ultimately it comes from Pharos, the island where the great Lighthouse of Alexandria was built, and there's a district and city in Portugal called Faro. Be aware: it's also the name of a gambling card game, highly popular in the nineteenth century before poker took over.
- Urso
Origin:
Italian from LatinMeaning:
"bear"Description:
Cool bearlike option, though Orson might be easier to embrace.
- Lazaro
Origin:
Italian variation of Lazarus and EleazarMeaning:
"God is my helper"Description:
This sleek Italian name was raised from the dead by Mexican Mozart in the Jungle star Gael Garcia Bernal, who chose it for his son (he also has a daughter named Libertad). For athletic inspiration, Lazaro Alvarez, boxing for Cuba, is the three-time world champion lightweight boxer. Lazarus and root name Eleazar are both also destined for comebacks.
- Daniele
Description:
Daniele is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, representing the Italian, French, and Portuguese version of Daniel, meaning 'God is my judge.' While primarily used for boys in these European cultures, it's important to note that in English-speaking countries, this spelling might be confused with the feminine 'Danielle.' The name carries biblical significance through the prophet Daniel, known for wisdom and dream interpretation. With its melodic three-syllable pronunciation (dah-nee-EH-leh), it offers a sophisticated European flair to the classic name. Daniele remains consistently popular in Italy and has moderate usage in other Mediterranean and Latin countries. Its international character makes it appealing for families with Italian or European heritage or those seeking a name that works well across different languages.
- Verdi
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"green"Description:
This is an outside possibility for opera-lovers, with the additional eco/color factor.
- Adriano
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"man from Adria"Description:
Adriano is a dashing Italian name which gets around the possible gender confusion of Adrian.
- Leone
Origin:
Italian variation of Leo or LeonMeaning:
"lion"Description:
An Italian spin on the current European darling Leon, though the final e makes it a tad feminine to the American sensibility.
- Sisto
Description:
Sisto is a masculine name of Italian and Spanish origin, derived from the Latin name Sixtus, meaning 'sixth.' The name has historical significance in Catholic tradition, as six popes have taken the name Sixtus (or Sisto in Italian). The most famous was Pope Sixtus V, who played a crucial role in the Counter-Reformation and in the development of Baroque Rome. While relatively uncommon outside of Italy and Spanish-speaking regions, Sisto has a strong, distinctive sound with its crisp consonants. The name carries an air of classical dignity and Mediterranean charm. For families with Italian or Hispanic heritage, Sisto represents a connection to cultural roots while offering a less common alternative to popular names.
- Pepe
Origin:
Spanish variation of JosÉDescription:
Le Pew. We don't think so, although it's a megacommon nickname name in Latino countries.