Chiara is a lovely and romantic Italian name that's familiar but not widely used here: a real winner. You might consider Chiara instead of Claire, Clara, Cara, or even Keira.

Dramatic and worldly, Cosimo was chosen by singer Beck and his wife, Marissa Ribisi, for their son. Now that Cosima has emerged as a starbaby favorite, twin brother Cosimo could join her.

Italianate variation of Cosette, from Victor Hugo's Les Misérables.

This name of an old Hollywood nightclub still retains a spark of glamour.

Carina is a pretty delicately feminine name whose fall from popularity is not helped by its similarity to hurricane name Katrina or slang victim Karen.

If you’re a fan of the annual animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you’ll recognize the name of Rudolph’s beautiful doe sweetheart, pronounced cla-REES—uncomfortably close to the Silence of the Lambs pronunciation. Clarice was the name of the wife of Lorenzo de' Medici, and Clarice Cliff was a famed British ceramics artist. Though a Top 300 name from 1906 to 1934, modern parents might prefer the more delicate Clarissa.

Carlotta has a large measure of finger-snapping charm and substance — despite being a not too pleasant character in The Little Mermaid. Carlotta is also the diva/prima donna in The Phantom of the Opera, and there was an Empress Carlotta of Mexico.

Cassio is a notable Shakespearean name that's a member of the ever-more-popular Cassius family of names. Cassio was Othello's young, good-looking, and flirtatious lieutenant.

An energetic and friendly Italian classic, Carlo is popular in its native Italy, but also familiar across Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, France, and Brazil. A variation of the regal French and English classic Charles, it is ultimately derived from the Latin Carolus and the Germanic Karl, meaning "free man".

A more romantic form of old school Clement, which ranks in the Top 100 boy names in Chile. Clemente, like Clement, derives from the Late Latin name Clemens, the name of 14 popes and several saints.

Expansive, sunny Italian word name.

Cinzia is a feminine Italian name derived from Cynthia, which ultimately comes from Greek mythology where it was an epithet of Artemis, the goddess of the moon, who was born on Mount Cynthus. This elegant name carries the cultural richness of Italian heritage while maintaining connections to ancient mythological roots. Though relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Cinzia is more familiar in Italy and Italian communities worldwide. It offers a melodic, sophisticated alternative to the more common Cynthia, with its distinctive 'z' sound adding a unique flair. The name suggests refinement, creativity, and cultural sophistication.

Cristina is one case where the streamlined version feels more alluring. Cristina is found more often than Christina in many European countries and cultures, including Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking Latin and South America.

If your ancestry is Italian, you may want to consider this elegant twist on a classic.

We are hearing more of such heavenly names as Celeste and Celia, which opens the door to the range of lovely variations rarely heard before. Celestina is one of them, though given the more accessible options, it may be gilding the lily.

A name that relates to Concepcion and the Virgin Mary, but feels a good deal more secular.

Naples-born Enrico Caruso was one of the greatest opera singers of all time. Recordings of his powerful singing voice are still in circulation today, nearly 100 years after his death.

Carmela has been most famous recently as the name of Tony Soprano's TV wife, played by Edie Falco. The spellings Carmela and Carmella are both used in Latin cultures including Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, and are used nearly equally in the US, given to a total of about 300 baby girls last year.

Concettina is a feminine name of Italian origin, functioning as an affectionate diminutive of Concetta. The root name Concetta derives from the Italian word 'concetto' meaning 'concept' or 'idea,' and is associated with the Roman Catholic feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. The suffix '-ina' adds a sense of endearment and smallness to the original name. Concettina is primarily used in Italian families and communities, particularly those with southern Italian heritage such as Sicily and Naples. While less common in contemporary naming, it was more prevalent among Italian-American families in the early to mid-20th century. The name carries cultural connections to Italian heritage, Catholicism, and traditional naming patterns that honor religious concepts.