Italian Names that Start With D
- Dante
Origin:
Latin diminutive of DurantMeaning:
"enduring"Description:
Though closely associated with the great medieval Florentine poet Dante Alighieri -- who's so famous most people skip the last name -- it's not as much of a one-man name as you might think. Heck, it's not even a one-poet name, thanks to British pre-Rapahaelite Dante Gabriel Rosetti. Though especially well used in the Italian-American community, it would make a striking name for any little boy.
- Dario
Origin:
Italian variation of DariusMeaning:
"possessing goodness"Description:
More creative and artsy than Mario. Dario is starting to edge up the US popularity list after languishing near the bottom of the Top 1000 over the last four decades. Is that inspired by Dario's popularity in Italy, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland?
- Donna
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"lady"Description:
Literally meaning "lady" in Italian, Donna was the perfect ladylike housewife mom name on The Donna Reed Show in the fifties and sixties. And there were plenty of namesakes: Donna was in the Top 10 in 1964. These days we'd be more likely to associate it with the emanciatpated clothes of Donna Karen than as a baby name.
- Daniella
Origin:
Italian, Polish, Czech, feminine variation of DanielDescription:
Daniella, Daniela, and Danielle were among the hottest names for twenty years, but now, though still popular, they can no longer be considered stylish options, lagging behind the newer Ella, Stella, Bella, Gabriella, and Isabella.
- Domenico
Origin:
Spanish, Italian variation of Dominic, LatinMeaning:
"belonging to the Lord"Description:
Romantic and artistic Domenico is ripe for the picking as a relatively rare name that fits in with current favorites such as Leonardo and Emiliano.
- Delfina
Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of DelphineDescription:
The Spanish and Italian variation of the sophisticated French Delphine is also the word for "dolphin". A popular choice in Uruguay and Argentina, the name is rarely used in the US.
- Dominica
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of DominicMeaning:
"belonging to the Lord"Description:
Fashionably Continental and much fresher than Dominique, though it's been used since the Middle Ages. Dominica can be spelled any number of ways, from Dominika to Domenica, but we prefer this version.
- Dino
Origin:
Italian, diminutive of any name ending in -dinoDescription:
Italian heritage name. It's sweet and simple, but has fallen almost out of use since its heyday in the 1960s.
- Damiano
Description:
Damiano is a masculine Italian name derived from the Greek 'Damianos,' ultimately stemming from 'damao' meaning 'to tame' or 'to subdue.' With classical roots, it's the Italian form of Damian, a name associated with Saint Damian, a physician who, with his twin brother Cosmas, became the patron saint of doctors. Popular throughout Italy and gaining recognition internationally, Damiano carries a strong, sophisticated European sensibility. The name experienced modest usage in the United States among Italian-American communities and has seen occasional spikes in interest with Italian cultural influences. With its melodic three-syllable pronunciation and distinctive ending, Damiano offers a more elaborate alternative to the simpler Damian. The name suggests strength, refinement, and cultural heritage, appealing to parents seeking a name with both historical depth and contemporary appeal.
- Donatello
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"to give"Description:
The name of the great Italian Renaissance sculptor known as Donatello (but born DONATO), is one that could easily emigrate to modern America, just like sister DONATELLA.
- Donatella
Origin:
Italian, feminine diminutive of DonatoDescription:
Stylish and dramatic, a la Donatella Versace.
- Domenica
Origin:
Italian feminine form of DominicMeaning:
"belonging to the Lord"Description:
Much fresher and more energetic than Dominique.
- Duran
Origin:
Music nameDescription:
The iconic rock group Duran Duran named themselves after the villain of the classic sci-fi movie "Barbarella," Dr. Durand Durand. One bit of free advice: if your last name is Duran, don't name your son Duran.
- Donati
Origin:
Variation of Donato, LatinMeaning:
"given by God"Description:
Donati is a distinguished Italian surname that can easily work as a first. The last name Donati is a patronymic from an ancestral Donato or may be a plural of Donato.
- Durante
Description:
Durante is a masculine name of Italian origin, derived from the Latin 'durans' meaning 'enduring' or 'persistent.' Historically used in medieval Italy, it conveys qualities of strength, resilience, and longevity. The name gained some recognition through the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, whose full name was Durante degli Alighieri, and later through American entertainer Jimmy Durante. Despite its distinguished history, Durante remains relatively uncommon in most Western countries, giving it an air of uniqueness and old-world sophistication. The name carries a musical quality with its flowing syllables while maintaining masculine strength. It appeals particularly to parents with Italian heritage or those seeking a name with classical roots and a distinctive Mediterranean flair.
- 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.
- Donatelli
Description:
Donatelli is a masculine name of Italian origin, derived from the surname Donatelli or Donatello. It stems from the Latin name 'Donatus,' meaning 'given' or 'gifted,' often in a religious context as 'given by God.' The name carries cultural prestige through its association with the famous Renaissance sculptor Donatello. As a first name, Donatelli is quite rare, offering a distinctive option for parents seeking an Italian name with artistic and historical connections. The name has a melodious, flowing quality typical of Italian names, with its four syllables creating a rhythmic sound. Donatelli presents a bold choice that combines cultural richness with uniqueness while maintaining strong masculine characteristics.
- Damone
Description:
Damone is a masculine name with Italian origins, functioning as a variant of Damon or a diminutive form of Damian. The name Damon comes from Greek meaning 'to tame' or 'to subdue,' while Damian derives from the Greek 'Damianos,' meaning 'to tame' or 'to conquer.' The addition of the final 'e' gives Damone a melodic Italian flair. The name gained some recognition in America through Italian-American communities and was further popularized by singer Vic Damone (born Vito Rocco Farinola) in the mid-20th century. Damone carries a smooth, musical quality while maintaining masculine strength, offering a distinctive variation on more common classical names.
- Donte
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"lasting"Description:
Phonetic Dante.
- Dicembre
Description:
Dicembre is a feminine name derived from the Italian word for 'December,' the twelfth month of the year. This romantic language-inspired name brings to mind winter festivities, holiday celebrations, and the closing of the year. While month names like April, May, June, and August have been popular in English-speaking countries, Dicembre offers a more exotic alternative with its Italian flair. The name has a melodic, flowing quality with its four syllables and soft ending. Though uncommon in most countries, Dicembre might appeal to parents with Italian heritage or those seeking a distinctive calendar-inspired name. It could be especially meaningful for a child born in December, creating a personal connection to their birth month with an elegant, international twist.