♕Itⓐℓian ♀nⓐmes

Young Canadian pop singer Alessia Cara has given this spicy-sounding name a new lease on life, propelling it into the Top 1000 in 2016. It was one of the fastest rising girl names of the year in 2016, then again in 2023. As a form of Alexander, Alessia could make a wonderful honor for any of Alexander's variants—Alexandra, Alexis—or as an alternative to Alexa, now best known as Amazon's AI voice.

In music, the term allegro means "quickly, lively tempo," which makes this quintessential Bohemian ballet dancer's name all the more appealing. Allegra is one of the most distinctive yet accessible girl names starting with A.

A spiritual name of Italian origin, Annunziata refers to the angel Gabriel visiting the Virgin Mary to tell her of the upcoming birth of Jesus. Annunciata is an alternative spelling, while diminutive Nunzia is more commonly used.

The smooth, attractive Ariana is on the rise along with the fame of pop princess Ariana Grande. Also famous is twin spelling Arianna, which is associated with Greek-born online presence Arianna Huffington. Both Ariana and Arianna are widely used names and are equally acceptable spellings.

Assunta is a feminine Italian name derived from the Latin word 'assumpta,' meaning 'taken up' or 'elevated.' The name has strong Catholic associations, specifically referring to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven—a significant feast day celebrated on August 15th. Girls born around this feast day were traditionally given this name in Catholic Italian families. Assunta has been used for centuries in Italy and among Italian diaspora communities, though it remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries. The name carries a sense of devotion and religious heritage, connecting bearers to Italian cultural traditions. While less frequently given to newborns today even in Italy, Assunta maintains its cultural significance and timeless connection to religious heritage.

Melodic and unusual, and she will outgrow any bib jokes.

Carlotta has a large measure of finger-snapping charm and substance — despite being a not too pleasant character in The Little Mermaid. Carlotta is also the diva/prima donna in The Phantom of the Opera, and there was an Empress Carlotta of Mexico.

Chiara is a lovely and romantic Italian name that's familiar but not widely used here: a real winner. You might consider Chiara instead of Claire, Clara, Cara, or even Keira.

Cinzia is a feminine Italian name derived from Cynthia, which ultimately comes from Greek mythology where it was an epithet of Artemis, the goddess of the moon, who was born on Mount Cynthus. This elegant name carries the cultural richness of Italian heritage while maintaining connections to ancient mythological roots. Though relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Cinzia is more familiar in Italy and Italian communities worldwide. It offers a melodic, sophisticated alternative to the more common Cynthia, with its distinctive 'z' sound adding a unique flair. The name suggests refinement, creativity, and cultural sophistication.

This obscure antiquated name is finding new life thanks to The Witcher series, whose heroine is named Princess Cirilla, nickname Ciri. The feminine form of Cyril, Cirilla has now surpassed the original Cyrilla in usage, given to 40 baby girls in the US in 2021 vs. only 10 called Cyrilla. We eonder how many parents will call their daughters Ciri.

The obscure yet not unappealing name of a legendary heroine of Rome. The ancient Clelia escaped an Etruscan invader by swimming across the Tiber River.

A name that relates to Concepcion and the Virgin Mary, but feels a good deal more secular.

Less electric and more serene than Electra which comes with a lot of tragic and psychoanalytical baggage, Elettra is the Italian form that ranks in the Top 200 in the Italian charts. Nicknames Etta, Lettie, and Elle make this doubly appealing.

Fiammetta, from the Italian word for flame, has both femininity and fire. Fiammetta could make a good alternative to more conventional Italian girls' names like Giovanna.

See PHILOMENA.