Rare Italian Names for Boys

  1. Paolo
    • Origin:

      Italian, variation of Paul
    • Meaning:

      "small"
    • Description:

      Paolo is an irresistibly lush Italian name for boys, worlds more romantic than its spare English equivalent.
  2. Elia
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Elijah, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah is God"
    • Description:

      A multicultural appellation, found in Hebrew, Italian, and Zuni, this likable name made famous by director Elia Kazan's only problem is the feminine a ending. But then again, that never hurt Joshua.
  3. Renzo
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Lorenzo
    • Description:

      Rakish nickname able to stand on its own.
  4. Ettore
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Hector
    • Meaning:

      "holds fast"
    • Description:

      Has a lot more charm than the ancient Hector.
  5. Lucio
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese variation of Lucius
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  6. Domenico
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Italian variation of Dominic, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  7. Saro
    • Origin:

      Armenian; Italian; Nigerian
    • Description:

      As a masculine name Saro has three origins:
  8. Ciro
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Cyrus
    • Description:

      This name of an old Hollywood nightclub still retains a spark of glamour.
  9. Clemente
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Portuguese, Italian
    • Meaning:

      "mild, merciful"
    • Description:

      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.
  10. Renato
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Italian
    • Meaning:

      "reborn"
    • Description:

      Elegant and worldly.
  11. Giorgio
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of George
    • Meaning:

      "farmer"
    • Description:

      Giorgio as is rich in meaning and history as George, but with more Italian flair. It's a consistent Top 50 hit in Italy, and with Italian boy names like Gianni and Lorenzo rising through the charts, could be another one to add to the mix.

      The best-known modern bearer is fashion designer Giorgio Armani.

  12. Vincenzo
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Vincent
    • Meaning:

      "conquering"
    • Description:

      This classic yet poetic Italian name for boys, is a Top 50 choice in its native Italy, and has been climbing up the charts in the US and the UK too. It had sporadically made the US charts throughout the 20th century, but it has been consistently present since 2009.
  13. Agostino
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Augustine
    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"
    • Description:

      Agostino is the Italian form of this increasingly popular ancient name.
  14. Brando
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Brand
    • Meaning:

      "firebrand, sword"
    • Description:

      Screen legend Marlon's surname has loads more swagger than his first. A little Brando might have to endure references to his famous namesake, though his peers may just assume its linked to popular Brandon, with the stylish -o ending of Milo, Arlo, and Hugo.
  15. Federico
    • Origin:

      Italian and Spanish variation of Frederick, German
    • Meaning:

      "peaceful ruler"
    • Description:

      If Frederick feels too heavy, the Spanish and Italian has more energy. It's a long-term Top 20 name in Italy, and has neat nicknames like Fredo in Italian and Fede in Spanish. Famous bearers include the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca and the Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. Further back in history, it was the name of a fifth-century Visigoth leader, the brother of Theodoric II.
  16. Urso
    • Origin:

      Italian from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "bear"
    • Description:

      Cool bearlike option, though Orson might be easier to embrace.
  17. Aureliano
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "gold"
    • Description:

      Italian variation of Aurelius.
  18. Emanuele
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Emmanuel, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God is with us"
    • Description:

      A fresh, Italianized take on the Hebrew classic Emmanuel. But beware of the similarities to the feminine name Emmanuelle.
  19. Nicolo
    • Origin:

      Italian form of Nicholas
    • Meaning:

      "people of victory"
    • Description:

      Nicolo is a more lively variation of Nicholas and one of the most attractive Italian names for boys. A name with a long, distinguished Italian history of its own, it also boasts the charming nickname Nico.
  20. Enzio
    • Description:

      Enzio is a masculine name with Italian origins, possibly derived from the Germanic name Heinz or Heinrich, meaning 'home ruler.' Historically significant through Enzio (or Enzo) of Sardinia, the illegitimate son of Emperor Frederick II in the 13th century. The name carries an exotic flair with its distinctive 'z' sound and Italian resonance. Enzio projects strength and charisma, embodying a sophisticated European sensibility. While Enzo has gained popularity in recent years, Enzio remains a less common variant, offering uniqueness while maintaining the appealing sound. Parents drawn to Italian names with historical depth yet contemporary appeal might find Enzio particularly attractive for its balance of uniqueness and accessibility.

The Nameberry App Is Live

Nameberry app screenshot
Find your perfect baby name together in our iPhone app, now available on the App Store.
  • Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
  • Names you match on are saved to your shared list
  • Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
  • Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
  • Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
Download on the App Store
Nameberry app screenshot