Italian Names that Start With B
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 01 2024
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- Beatrice
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"she who brings happiness; blessed"Description:
Beatrice is back. Stored in the attic for almost a century, the lovely Beatrice with its long literary (Shakespeare, Dante) and royal history is being looked at with fresh eyes by parents seeking a classic name with character and lots of upbeat nicknames, like Bea and Bee.
- Bianca
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"white"Description:
Bianca, the livelier Italian and Shakespearean version of Blanche, has been chosen by many American parents since the 1990s, just as Blanca is a favorite in the Spanish-speaking community. Its meaning of white relates to snow, making it one of the prime names for winter babies.
- Bambi
Origin:
Diminutive of Bambina, ItalianMeaning:
"child; baby girl"Description:
Although Disney's cute deer was a male, Bambi has always been used for girls. It first appeared on the charts in 1943, the year after the Disney movie was released. Bambi featured in the Top 1000 from 1954-1964 — a decade where girl names ending in I, like Lori and Teri, were big — and again from 1977-1982.
- Bella
Origin:
Diminutive of Isabella, ItalianMeaning:
"beautiful"Description:
Everything ella, from Ella to Bella to Arabella, is red hot right now. Bella is one of the most, well, beautiful girl names starting with B. It carried a hint of a nice Old World grandmotherly veneer, until it became attached to Twilight's Bella Swan.
- Bria
Origin:
Diminutive of Briana or GabriellaMeaning:
"hill, high; God is my strong man"Description:
Sweet and sparky but maybe a little bit stuck in the 90s for some, Bria is a nickname-y style choice with various origins.
- Bruna
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"brown"Description:
Possibility for a dark-haired babe.
- Bello
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"handsome, beautiful"Description:
Bello is as handsome as Bella is beautiful, but rarely heard outside the Italian community. With its energetic 'o' ending, it could be ripe for export.
- Biaggio
Origin:
Italian variation of BlaiseMeaning:
"one who stutters or lisps"Description:
Surprising relative of the French saints' name Blaise, which is definitely easier on the English ear than vowelsome Italian version. Also spelled BIAGIO.
- 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.
- Beretta
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
A Beretta is a gun, so named because of the Italian firearms manufacturer that makes it. And now Beretta is also a badass baby name, used in the middle for daughter Breeze by Bristol Palin baby daddy Levi Johnston. What a Tripp.
- Brando
Origin:
Italian variation of BrandMeaning:
"firebrand, sword"Description:
Screen legend Marlon's surname has loads more swagger than his first. A little Brando might have to endure references to his famous namesake, though his peers may just assume its linked to popular Brandon, with the stylish -o ending of Milo, Arlo, and Hugo.
- Brio
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"vivacity, zest"Description:
Musical term with a lot of energy.
- Baldassare
Description:
Baldassare is a traditional Italian masculine name derived from the Babylonian name Balthazar (or Belshazzar), which means 'Baal protects the king' in ancient Assyrian. In Christian tradition, Baldassare is associated with one of the Three Wise Men or Magi who visited the infant Jesus. The name carries connotations of wisdom, nobility, and spiritual seeking. Common in Italy since medieval times, particularly in southern regions, Baldassare has remained a classic though not extremely common choice. The name often appears in Italian art, literature, and music, including the renowned composer Baldassare Galuppi. Outside Italy, the name retains its distinctive Italian flair and historical gravitas. While challenging for non-Italian speakers to pronounce at first glance, the name carries a distinguished heritage that appeals to parents seeking names with historical depth and cultural significance.
- Belvedere
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"beautiful view"Description:
Derived from Italian bello "beautiful" and vedere "view", Belvedere is a dramatic name that was used for a cartoon hound dog in George Webster Crenshaw's comic strip by the same name, which ran from 1962 to 1995.
- Beniamino
Description:
Beniamino is the Italian form of Benjamin, a masculine name with deep biblical roots. Derived from the Hebrew name Binyamin, meaning 'son of the right hand' or 'son of the south,' it carries connotations of favor and blessing. In the Bible, Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel. Beniamino maintains the melodious quality characteristic of Italian names, with its rhythmic five syllables and musical ending. While common in Italy, Beniamino remains relatively rare in English-speaking countries, making it an exotic yet recognizable choice. The name offers the friendly nickname options Beni or Mino. Beniamino conveys warmth, cultural richness, and a connection to Italian heritage, appealing to parents seeking a distinguished name with historical significance.
- Biagio
Description:
Biagio is a masculine Italian name derived from the Latin 'Blasius,' which has roots in the Latin word 'blaesus' meaning 'lisping' or 'stammering.' Despite this etymology, the name has been honored for centuries due to its association with Saint Blaise (San Biagio in Italian), a 4th-century Armenian bishop and martyr who is venerated as the patron saint of throat ailments. Traditionally popular in Italy, particularly in southern regions like Sicily and Calabria, Biagio has a melodic quality characteristic of Italian names. Though uncommon outside of Italian communities, it retains strong cultural connections and family significance for those of Italian heritage. The name has a distinctive charm with its blend of strength and musicality.
- Bice
Origin:
Italian, diminutive of BeatriceMeaning:
"she who brings happiness"Description:
Though Beatrice has the lovely Italian pronunciation bay-uh-TREE-chay, Bice has the problematic BEE-chay -- a bit too close to a word that would cause playground probs in the US. Italian cross-country skier Bice Vanzetta won two bronze medals at the Winter Olympics of 1992 and 2994.
- Brunetta
Description:
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.
- Bosco
Origin:
Italian and FrenchMeaning:
"wood, forest"Description:
Saint John Bosco is well-known to Catholic School children, but Bosco is perhaps better known as a chocolate syrup.
- Benjamino
Description:
Benjamino is a masculine name that represents an Italian elaboration of Benjamin, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'son of the right hand' or 'son of my days.' The Italian suffix '-ino' adds an affectionate, diminutive quality to the biblical classic. While Benjamin is widely used across many Western countries, Benjamino is considerably rarer, primarily found in Italian families or those with Italian heritage. The name carries a musical, romantic quality characteristic of Italian naming traditions. Benjamino blends biblical gravitas with Mediterranean charm, offering a distinctive alternative to the more common Benjamin. This elaborate form might appeal to parents seeking a name with cross-cultural appeal that honors Italian ancestry while maintaining biblical connections.
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