Italian Names that Start With G
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 01 2024
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- Gia
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Gia is a cute if slight name that calls to mind stylish sisters Mia, Lea, Pia, Tia, and Nia. One of the most familiar Italian baby names in the US, Gia is a short form of Gianna, which in turn is a diminutive of Giovanna, the feminine form of Giovanni, the Italian equivalent of John—all of them meaning "God is gracious."
- Gianna
Origin:
Italian, diminutive of Giovanna or feminization of Gianni, forms of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
The Italian Gianna undoubtedly owes much of its popularity in the US to its status as an honor name for John. Before the importation of Gianna, there was no truly workable feminine form of John, so Gianna found widespread favor among American parents with Italian roots and far beyond.
- Gemma
Origin:
Italian, Catalonian, SpanishMeaning:
"precious stone"Description:
Gemma is a jewel of a name, an Italian classic that was very popular in 1980s England, but has only recently been started to be used here; it entered the list in 2008.
- Gabriella
Origin:
Italian feminine variation of GabrielMeaning:
"God is my strength"Description:
Gabriella is the feminine form of Gabriel, a name derived from the Hebrew Gavri’el. Gavri’el is composed of the elements gever, meaning "strong," and ’el, referring to God. Gabriella is used among a variety of cultures in the US, including Italian Americans, Latinos, and in the Jewish community. Gabriela is the Spanish spelling.
- Giovanni
Origin:
Italian variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Giovanni is a venerable Italian classic that suddenly sounds fresh and cool. Ubiquitous in Italy, it has countless notable namesakes, from writer Boccaccio to designer Versace (nn Gianni).
- Gabriela
Origin:
Italian and Spanish, feminine variation of GabrielMeaning:
"God is my strength"Description:
This strong yet graceful feminine form of Gabriel is a modern favorite. The double L spelling is given to more than three times as many girls as the Gabriela version.
- Ginevra
Origin:
Italian variation of Guinevere or JenniferMeaning:
"white shadow, white wave"Description:
Arty and elegant, Ginevra is one of the most popular girls' names in Italy at the moment, ranking at #3 in a recent year. Ultimately from the Arthurian Guinevere, it's a relative of Jennifer, meaning "white wave, white shadow" or "white phantom".
- Giuseppe
Origin:
Italian variation of Joseph, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"Description:
This form of Joseph is an enduring classic in Italy where it remains in the Top 20. In the States it's been hovering under the radar for decades, but its spirited, distinctive-yet-familiar sounds might help it catch on, as Giovanni has
- Galileo
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"from Galilee"Description:
The name of the great Renaissance astronomer and mathematician, Galileo would make a distinctive hero-name for the son of parents involved in those fields. Deriving from Latin and Hebrew, it refers to someone from Galilee, a Biblical place name associated with Jesus's miracles in the New Testament.
- Giada
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"jade"Description:
Popular in its native Italy, Giada has been quietly and stylishly used in English-speaking countries for several years now. Television cook Giada De Laurentiis made this a possibility — then semi-subtly self-referenced when she named her daughter Jade.
- Gianni
Origin:
Italian, diminutive of Giovanni, variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Gianni, the Italian equivalent of Johnny, sounds more substantial and fresh. Like many names starting with "Gian", it is on a rising trend (for both boys and girls, though it leans more male). TV star Jill Hennessey's son is named Gianni Mastropietro.
- Giovanna
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of GiovanniDescription:
Like Galilea and Livia, one of the Italian names that fashionable American parents—with or without Italian roots—have started to choose for their daughters. It has endured ups and downs since entering the popularity charts in 1991.
- Gioia
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"joy"Description:
Prettier than Joy and just beginning to be used here.
- Giulia
Origin:
Italian variation of JuliaMeaning:
"youthful"Description:
An Italian version of an English classic beginning to be adopted by cutting-edge American parents, including Entourage's Debi Mazar.
- Guido
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"guide, leader"Description:
Guido was very popular in Renaissance Italy, with many namesakes including painter Fra Angelico (born Guido di Pietro) and mathematician Guido Fubini. Guy Fawkes, of gunpowder plot fame, sometimes used this version. Nowadays it's unfairly overlooked, but in the current trend for snappy international names ending in -o, this cultured gem deserves more use.
- Giuliana
Origin:
Italian variation of JulianaMeaning:
"youthful"Description:
Italian names like Gianna, Giovanna, Ginevra, Giulia, and Giuliana are being used increasingly by trendy baby namers — whether they have Italian roots or not. The Gi standing in for the more conventional J at the beginning seems to automatically make a name more appealing to some, perhaps because it gets you to nickname Gigi.
- Giancarlo
Origin:
Combination of Gian and Carlo, Italian variations of John and CharlesDescription:
In Italy, a common melding of two popular names, heard in the US as well.
- Gino
Origin:
Italian, diminutive of EugenioDescription:
Stalwart Italian classic, completely at home in this country.
- 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.
- Genevra
Description:
Genevra is a feminine name with roots in the Latin name Juniperus, meaning "juniper tree." It's a variation of Geneva and Ginevra, sharing etymology with the name Jennifer. This elegant name combines classic heritage with a distinctive flair. Though relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Genevra maintains an air of sophistication and timeless appeal. The name carries connections to Lake Geneva in Switzerland and has literary associations through various historical texts. Its rarity makes it an appealing choice for parents seeking a name with traditional roots but without being overly popular. Genevra offers the friendly nickname options of Gen, Nevra, or Evie.
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