♕Itⓐℓian ♀nⓐmes

  1. Giada
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "jade"
    • Description:

      Giada is a fresh spin on Jade, which has been quietly and stylishly used in English-speaking countries for several years now. Popular cook Giada De Laurentiis made this a possibility, then semi-subtly self-referenced when she named her daughter Jade.
  2. Gianna
    • Origin:

      Italian, diminutive of Giovanna or feminization of Gianni, forms of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      The Italian Gianna undoubtedly owes much of its popularity in the US to its status as an honor name for John. Before the importation of Gianna, there was no truly workable feminine form of John, so Gianna found widespread favor among American parents with Italian roots and far beyond.
  3. Ginevra
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Guinevere or Jennifer
    • Meaning:

      "white shadow, white wave"
    • Description:

      This lovely alternative for the Jennifer-lover ranks among the most popular girls' names in Italy. At this point in the US, the legions of Jennifers born in the 1970s are starting to become grandmas, so Ginevra might make an apt honor name for granny Jen.
  4. Gioia
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "joy"
    • Description:

      Prettier than Joy and just beginning to be used here.
  5. Giuditta
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Judith
    • Description:

      Italian accent glamorizes even Judith.
  6. Giulia
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Julia
    • Meaning:

      "youthful"
    • Description:

      An Italian version of an English classic beginning to be adopted by cutting-edge American parents, including Entourage's Debi Mazar.
  7. Giuseppina
    • Origin:

      Italian, feminine variation of Giuseppe
    • Description:

      One case where the English version -- Josephine -- is far preferable.
  8. Ilaria
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Hilary
    • Meaning:

      "cheerful, happy"
    • Description:

      Hilary is now too connected to a single personality, but this version offers a fresh and interesting alternative.
  9. Lia
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of names ending in -lia or Italian variation of Leah
    • Meaning:

      "weary"
    • Description:

      Used throughout Europe and in Hawaii, Lia sounds just like its mother name Leah, but looks particularly pretty on paper. Sleek and simple, Lia is an internationally flexible choice that might also be short for such names as Amelia or Dahlia.
  10. Lucia
    • Origin:

      Italian, feminine variation of Lucius, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      Lucia is a lush, rich Latinate equivalent of Lucy, popular in Spain and throughout Latin America and also a cross-cultural favorite. You might be surprised to know that Lucia has ALWAYS ranked among the Top 1000 girl names in the US, though she's really taken off only since the turn of this century.
  11. Luciana
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Lucianus
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      Lushly elaborate name that makes Lucy more grownup and sensual. Carnie Wilson chose it for her daughter. Lucianus is an ancient Roman family name and Lucianus of Samosata was an early satirist. Heard most often in the Italian and Spanish cultures, Luciana is usually pronounced loo-chee-anna.
  12. Martina
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "warlike"
    • Description:

      Tennis-related name popular throughout Europe that's never caught fire here.
  13. Mia
    • Origin:

      Italian word name or Scandinavian short form of Maria
    • Meaning:

      "mine or bitter"
    • Description:

      Mia originated as a short form of Maria, which ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Miryam. In modern times, Mia has been used as a nickname for names including Amelia, Emilia, and Miriam. Mia is also an Italian and Spanish word meaning 'mine.'
  14. Nicola
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "people of victory"
    • Description:

      Nicola, an elegant Latinate feminization of Nicholas, has long been standard issue for English girls but for some reason has never voyaged across the Atlantic, which we consider a pity, especially as Nicole's standing has waned.
  15. Oriana
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "dawn"
    • Description:

      Oriana is a dashing medieval name, with a meaning similar to Aurora. At this point, though, Oriana is much more unusual than Aurora and makes a unique choice if you're searching for names that mean new beginnings or dawn.
  16. Ornella
    • Perla
      • Origin:

        Spanish variation of Pearl
      • Description:

        Consistently popular Latina gem name; good choice for those who can't shake Pearl's grandmotherly vibe.
    • Renata
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "reborn"
      • Description:

        Widely used across Europe as a common baptismal name symbolizing spiritual rebirth, Renata, in this country it has an operatic image via Italian-born divas Renata Tebadi and Renata Scotti.
    • Romina
      • Origin:

        Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "from the land of the Christians"
      • Description:

        This pretty name found in Spanish-speaking countries shares the diminutive of Romy—also spelled Romi—with Rosemary. It joined the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2015.
    • Rosalba
      • Origin:

        Latin, from the phrase rosa alba
      • Meaning:

        "white rose"
      • Description:

        One of many Spanish elaborations of Rosa.