Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Venice, Tuscany, Rome, Milan – Italy isn't just about great places. It also boasts gorgeous, lilting, and rhythmic Italian baby names. After all, who can resist the beautiful-sounding Carmela or Allesandro? Italian names either have Latin origin or are Italian versions of monikers originating in other countries. Italian names roll off the tongue like a melody and often stand apart due to their distinctiveness. Generally, Italians have firm rules regarding naming. The first son, for instance, is named after the paternal grandfather, whereas the second son is named after the maternal grandfather. As for the females, the first daughter is named after the paternal grandmother, and the second daughter is named after the maternal grandmother. The subsequent children can be named after parents, aunts, uncles, deceased relatives, or saints. This all-pervasive convention has led to many Italian families with children of similar ages having the same names. Typical male and female Italian names end in vowels a, e, i, and o. Some classic examples are Adreano, Adela, Assissi, and Cammie. Many Italian names also have deep biblical roots, often paying homage to revered saints or local patrons. Those named after a saint celebrate twice: their actual birth date and their onomastico – the day in the General Roman Calendar honoring their saint. Certain Italian names are also aligned with the child's birth season. Pasquale or Pasqua herald Easter, while Natale, Natalina, Nicole, or Nicola emerge during Christmas (1). This nomenclatural interplay weaves a rich cultural fabric, fusing faith and temporal cadences. From traditional Evelina to modern Amalia, we have compiled a list of beautiful Italian girl and boy names with meanings. Explore the list to find meaningful monikers that complement your child's personality.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Rafaele |  |  Girl | God heals |
| Rafaello | |  Boy | Italian version of Rafael, healed by God |
| Raffa | |  Unisex | Healed; God has healed |
| Raffaele | | Girl | God has healed |
| Raffaella | | Girl | God has healed |
| Raimondo | | Boy | A mighty protector |
| Raul | | Boy | Wolf counsel; Strong defender |
| Ravenna | | Girl | A big, black bird; A raven |
| Ravinia | | Girl | Name of an Italian city |
| Reana | | Girl | Queen; Goddess |
| Rebecca | | Girl | To tie; To bind |
| Rella | | Girl | Angel; Messenger; God spoke |
| Remigio | | Boy | A person who is a rower |
| Remo | | Boy | One who is a rower; An oarsman |
| Renato | | Boy | Born Again; Reborn; Rebirth |
| Renatta | | Girl | A woman who was born again |
| Renella | | Unisex | Rebirth |
| Renna | | Unisex | Reborn; Joyous song; Small; Mighty |
| Renz | | Boy | A Laurel; An award |
| Renzo | | Boy | The third son in the family |
| Ric | | Boy | A mighty, powerful and strong ruler of men |
| Ricardo | | Boy | Powerful ruler |
| Riccarda | | Girl | A woman who rules strongly and powerfuly |
| Riccardo | | Boy | Powerful ruler; Strong ruler; Mighty ruler |
| Ricco | | Unisex | Strong, powerful, ruler |
| Rietta | | Girl | Little sweet one; Pearl |
| Riga | | Girl | A variation of the Greek Rigas |
| Rin | | Unisex | A cold, severe and dignified person |
| Rina | | Girl | Greens from the village; Melted or dissolved |
| Rinal | | Unisex | Goddess of wealth and wisdom |
| Rinaldo | | Boy | One whose power is in his wisdom |
| Rino | | Boy | Short form of names ending in rino; Council |
| Riviera | | Girl | The bank of the river |
| Rizzo | | Unisex | One with curly hair |
| Roberto | | Boy | Bright famous one; Bright fame; A variant of Robert |
| Rocca | | Girl | Rest; Feminine form of Rocco |
| Rocco | | Boy | One who rests |
| Rocko | | Boy | Roaring; Battle cry; Crow; Rook |
| Rocky | | Boy | Rest |
| Roco | | Boy | To be resting |
| Rolando | | Boy | He who is the most famous and legendary of all men |
| Roma | | Boy | Man from Rome; Roman |
| Romano | | Boy | A man who was born in Rome |
| Romare | | Boy | A person who is from Rome |
| Romario | | Boy | One who is a pilgrim to Rome |
| Rome | | Unisex | One who has made a pilgrimage to Rome; From Rome; Citizen of Rome |
| Romeao | | Boy | One who comes from the ancient city of Rome |
| Romeeka | | Girl | A girl who is from an ancient city of Rome |
| Romeo | | Boy | From Rome; Pilgrim to Rome |
| Romia | | Unisex | From the city of Rome |
| Romie | | Unisex | A citizen of Rome |
| Romolo | | Boy | One who founded Rome |
| Romon | | Boy | A Boy whose home is Rome |
| Romula | | Girl | One who is a Roman woman |
| Romy | | Unisex | Dew of the sea; A variant of Rosemary |
| Roque | | Boy | Crow; Rook |
| Roreto | | Boy | An Italian place name |
| Rosa | | Girl | Rose; Dew |
| Rosabella | | Girl | Beautiful as a rose |
| Rosabelle | | Girl | A woman who is a beautiful rose |
| Rosaelia | | Girl | The rose of a God |
| Rosalba | | Girl | She who is like a white rose |
| Rosaleah | | Girl | A Roman citizen |
| Rosana | | Girl | A woman as graceful as a rose |
| Rosangela | | Girl | A woman who is like an angel rose |
| Rosangelica | | Girl | An angelic rose |
| Rosaria | | Girl | A lady of the rosary |
| Rosario | | Boy | A young man of the rosary |
| Rosene | | Girl | A rosy-looking young girl |
| Rosetta | | Girl | A small, little, but beautiful rose |
| Rosette | | Girl | A petite woman who is like a little rose |
| Rosi | | Girl | She who looks exactlly like a rose |
| Rosia | | Girl | To resemble a rose |
| Rosina | | Girl | Famous or renowned rose |
| Rossana | | Girl | She who brings the brightness of a dawn |
| Rossano | | Boy | A man who brings the dawn's light |
| Rossi | | Unisex | Red-haired; Red |
| Rovina | | Unisex | Destroyer; Ruin |
| Rudolpho | | Boy | One who is known as a famous wolf |
| Rufina | | Girl | A woman who is of red hair |
| Rufino | | Boy | A man who has red hair |
| Ruggero | | Boy | A worrior with a famous spear |
| Ruggiero | | Boy | A famous fighter with a spear |
| Russo | | Boy | Traditional Sicilian surname; A red one |
| Sal | | Boy | One who is a savior |
| Salomone | | Boy | Italian name; Peacekeeper |
| Salone | | Unisex | Peace |
| Salvatore | | Boy | Savior; Rescuer; Deliverer |
| Salvatrice | | Girl | A woman who aids in times of difficulty |
| Samanta | | Girl | The name of God; God has heard your prayer |
| Samuel | | Boy | Name of God |
| Samuele | | Boy | The God has heard your words |
| Samuell | | Boy | You were heard by the God |
| Samuella | | Girl | A woman whose prayer has been heard by God |
| Sancia | | Girl | Connected with God |
| Sandrino | | Boy | Defender of the people |
| Sandro | | Boy | Human race's protector |
| Sansone | | Boy | A son of the Sun |
| Santa | | Girl | One who is a saint |
| Santino | | Boy | Little saint |
Italian baby names blend Latin roots and international adaptations, often stemming from biblical sources. These names hold deep connections to saints and follow strict naming conventions. Consequently, it's common for Italian children of similar ages to share names. In light of this, we have presented an array of charming Italian girl and boy names with their meanings in the above list. Scroll through the list to find a suitable name that effortlessly projects your faith and aspirations behind selecting a name for your child.
Infographic: Irresistible Italian Names To Grace Your Baby
Italian baby names are tantalizing, giving your child a hint of Mediterranean refinement. Our infographic presents a diverse array of charming Italian names. Each name is accompanied by its profound significance, helping you better appreciate the name.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do Italian baby names reflect the country's culture, history, and religious and spiritual significance?
Many Italian baby names are based on or inspired by Catholic figures and saints or influential characters in Italian culture and history. This connection to culture and history helps preserve and continue the legacy of such names. Some names inspired by saints include Laura, Marco, Roberto, Rocco, and Viviana. Names based on prominent artists are Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raffaello, and Giovanni.
2. What are some unique Italian baby names not commonly heard outside of Italy?
Some unique Italian names that are not very popular outside of Italy are Agnella, the feminine form of Agnello meaning 'lamb'; Ambra, a variant of amber which refers to the yellow gemstone; and Fausta, the feminine form of Faustus meaning 'auspicious,' or 'lucky.'
3. Are there any traditional Italian baby naming conventions?
Italian baby names usually consist of a given name (nome) followed by a surname (cognome). Traditionally, babies inherit their father's family name, but an Italian court has ruled that both parents' surnames can be inherited [2]. It is common for a portion of the name to come from a name day, a day to celebrate their baptismal name shared with a Biblical character or saint. These name days are determined by the General Roman Calendar [3].
4. What are some famous or notable people with Italian names and what do their names mean?
Leonardo, a name borne by the world-renowned painter and scientist Leonardo da Vinci, means 'brave lion.' Dante Alighieri was a philosopher, poet, and writer; his name means 'enduring.' Giacomo, a name borne by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini known for his operas. The name is a variant of Jacob which means 'he who supplants.'
5. What nicknames or pet names can be derived from Italian baby names?
Sandro, Ale, Alex, and Andy are pet forms of the name Alessandro. Cat, Cate, Cathy, and Rina are some nicknames for Caterina. Nicknames for Isabella are Isa, Bella, Isabel, Belle, Libbie, Libby, Sabella, and Ibbie.
References
- The bellissima style of Italian names.
https://casa-belvedere.org/the-bellissimo-style-of-italian-names/ - Double-barrelled name law in Italy – a work in progress.
https://www.ibanet.org/double-barrelled-name-law-italy - Liturgical Calendar.
http://www.gcatholic.org/calendar/2023/General-A-en.htm
