Goretti

This Italian surname makes an unlikely choice, but it has seen some use owing to its status as a saint's name. It was borne by Maria Teresa Goretti, who is remembered for forgiving her murderer on her deathbed. She died in 1902 at the age of eleven after she was stabbed for refusing a man's advances.

The name itself derives from the Italian form of Gregory, Gregorio, and could therefore share its Greek meaning of "watchful, alert, vigilant".

Appearing in the US charts for girls since 2003, following the release of the movie, Maria Goretti, it has been given to at least 37 girls since then. It has also been used in Rwanda, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Uganda, and Ireland.

In 2026, it was also used as the name of a January storm, this time named by the French forecaster, Meteo France.

Pronounced go-RET-ee.

As of October 2026, Goretti ranked #13794 for girls in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #11971 for girls in 2007.