Rare Italian Names for Boys
Updated Fri Feb 02 2024
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These rare Italian names for boys are heard more often in Rome, Italy than Rome, New York, but are eminently usable here as Italian names continue to grow in favor. Some of the top boy names in Italy are ripe for American discovery — Nicolo and Giulio, Alessio and Vincenzo.
Along with Nicolo and Alessio, other Italian names that are rare in the US but common in Italy include Pietro, Elia, Emanuele, Jacopo, Giorgio, Domenico, and Raffaele. Classic Italian choices that would easily translate on an American child include Federico, Adriano, Francesco, and Marcello. If you love Italian names but want to go beyond Luca and Leonardo, explore this list of our favorite rare Italian names for boys, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
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- Elio
Origin:
Italian, SpanishMeaning:
"sun"Description:
Elio is a sunny and spirited Italian and Spanish name that makes a great crossover prospect, which could catch on as Enzo has. Derived from the Roman Aelius and the Greek Helios, it has an appealing summery meaning and a similar sound to stylish choices, like Elliott, Elias, Leo, and Eli.
- Orlando
Origin:
Italian variation of RolandMeaning:
"famous throughout the land"Description:
Orlando, the ornate Italianate twist on the dated Roland, with a literary heritage stretching back to Shakespeare and before, has appealing book-ended o's, and is open to combination with almost any last name, a la British actor, Orlando Bloom.
- Aurelio
Origin:
Italian; Spanish, variation of AureliusMeaning:
"the golden one"Description:
Aurelio is an energetic Italian name rarely heard in the US, with an attractive aura. As the female version Aurelia gains greater notice, we expect to hear more from Aurelio too. In fact, Aurelio has recently entered the Top 1000 in the US in 2022. Next to follow might be latinate versions Aurelius and Aurelian.
- Alessio
Origin:
Italian variation of AlexisMeaning:
"defender"Description:
Alessio, simpler than the related Alessandro, would be a welcome settler here.
- Cosimo
Origin:
Italian variation of CosmoMeaning:
"order, beauty, universe"Description:
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.
- 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?
- Luciano
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of LucianMeaning:
"light"Description:
A vibrant, operatic choice with plenty of flair and plenty of familiarity too. Popular in Italy, Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil, it also ranks in the Top 500 in France and the US. Operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti and football manager Luciano Spalletti are two notable bearers
- Camilo
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"young ceremonial attendant"Description:
The increasing popularity of Camila may have pushed this underrated Spanish name into the Top 1000 — though it remains far less popular than its feminine counterpart. A perfect familiar-but-rare choice.
- Lucio
Origin:
Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese variation of LuciusMeaning:
"light"Description:
About 100 baby boys were named Lucio in the US last year, a number we expect to increase with the growing popularity of all names in the Lu family. It's a family united by sound, with three main branches.
- Massimo
Origin:
Italian variation of MaximusMeaning:
"the greatest"Description:
Massimo is a Latin charmer and while it might feel like a big name for a baby (or anyone, really), it has a touch of gentleness about it too, owing to the S sounds. A charismatic member of the Maximus/Magnus family, Massimo means "greatest" and has been a enduring favorite in Italy, where it has remained in the Top 100 over the last two decades
- Vigo
Origin:
Italian surnameMeaning:
"settlement"Description:
Vigo is both an Italian and Spanish surname and a Scandinavian first name. As a place name, it's found in Spain, Italy, England – and Indiana.
- Ciro
Origin:
Italian variation of CyrusDescription:
This name of an old Hollywood nightclub still retains a spark of glamour.
- Marcello
Origin:
Italian and SpanishMeaning:
"young warrior"Description:
Based on the ancient name Marcellus, drawn from Mars the god of war, Marcello -- it's pronounced mar-chell-o -- is one of the most lush and attractive Latin names.
- Carlo
Origin:
Italian variation of Charles, FrenchMeaning:
"free man"Description:
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".
- Sandro
Origin:
Diminutive of Alessandro, ItalianMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
Lengthy, romantic Alessandro gives us the friendly and casual nickname Sandro, which works just as well as an independent name. It’s a popular international name, having ranked in Italy, France, Portugal, and Switzerland in recent years.
- Cassio
Origin:
Italian variation of CassiusMeaning:
"hollow"Description:
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.
- Amadeo
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"lover of God"Description:
Amadeo and Amedeo are both valid Italian forms of the Roman Amadeus, most famous as the middle name of the composer Mozart as well as the title of a movie about him. Mozart's name was actually the Greek Theophilus, but he transformed it to the Latin version. Amadeo is also used in Spain, where it was the name of a 19th century king who was born in Italy.
- Vico
Origin:
Italian surname nameDescription:
An unusual name with some real high-low appeal: It was the first name of a bully on The Fosters and the last name of the great Enlightenment philosopher Giambattista Vico. It has many of the merits of Nico and Vito, both far more common.
- Remo
Origin:
Italian variation of Remus, meaning unknownDescription:
Virtually unknown in the U.S., yet with its jaunty o ending and similarity to the stylish (yet unrelated) Remy, Remo may find some new followers.
- Brio
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"vivacity, zest"Description:
Musical term with a lot of energy.
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