Italian Place Names for Babies

Emilia

Feminine variation of Emil, Latin

"rival"

Emilia is the feminine form of the Roman clan name Aemilius, which derived from the Latin aemulus , meaning "rival." In Shakespeare’s Othello , Emilia is the wife of Iago and confidante of Desdemona.…

Florence

Latin

"flourishing, prosperous"

Florence is back, returning to the US Top 1000 girl names in 2017 after a nearly 40 year absence. Other English-speaking countries have been quicker to welcome Florence back into fashion. The name…

Capri

Italian from Greek or Latin

"wild boar; goats"

Chosen by the late Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa for their youngest daughter, Capri is the name of an Italian island, lending it a light, bright and sunny feel. Derived from either the Greek…

Siena

Italian place-name

Siena is a soft and delicate Tuscan town name given a big fashion boost by lovely young actress/gossip column staple Sienna Miller. A real up-and-comer.

Milan

Italian place name or Slavic

"the middle of the plain; gracious, dear; union"

In many Slavic and other European countries, Milan is purely a boys’ name , but in the US, it's also popular for girls – no doubt inspired by the fashionable Italian city. It entered the Top 1000 for…

Lucca

Spelling variation of Luca; Italian place name

This spelling is more unisex than either Luca or Luka, perhaps because it is also an Italian city name. However, it fell for both genders in 2021, as the Disney movie Luca sent that spelling…

Marta

Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian, Slavic

"lady"

Sharper and steelier than Martha, but with the same underused vintage appeal.

Paola

Italian and Spanish variation of Paula

"small"

Paola is the Latinate version of Paula. Its intriguing sound could make it more appealing than the English standard.

Ravenna

Italian place-name

Ravenna is a lovely, untouristed Italian place-name just waiting to be discovered. Renowned for its fantastic Byzantine mosaics, it's a city that has a rich historic and artistic heritage. Part of…

Roma

Italian place-name

Never as popular as Florence; today's parents might prefer Venezia, Verona, or Romy. It is also a Hindu name meaning "one with shiny hair" and is another name for the goddess Lakshmi. In Roman…

Rome

Place name, Latin, Greek

"to flow or hurry; strength"

The name of this historic European city is more distinct than Paris and London but sounds similar enough to the rising Romy and well-established Ramona and Rosemary that it doesn't feel totally out…

Sicilia

Place name

"from Sicily"

The Italian and Sicilian name for the Island of Sicily, named for the ancient tribe, the Sicels. Sometimes used as an alternative form of Cecilia ("blind"), its connection to the place gives it a…

Sicily

Place-name

Sicily is a lilting Italian place-name that sounds like the elegant British Cicely -- which you might consider a plus or a minus.

Venice

Italian place-name

This name of one of the most romantic cities in the world could easily find its way onto an American baby girl's birth certificate.