1357 Admirable Italian Baby Names With Meanings

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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
Anselmo	Boy	Protected by God; A variant of name Ansel
Anthonie	Boy	Priceless; Inestimable; A variant of name is Anthony
Anthonius	Boy	Priceless; Inestimable; A variant of name is Anthony
Antonella	Girl	Priceless; First born
Antonello	Boy	Priceless; Inestimable; A variant of name is Anthony
Antonino	Boy	Priceless; Inestimable; A variant of name is Anthony
Antonio	Boy	Priceless; Of inestimable worth
Antonius	Boy	Priceless, Inestimable
Antuninu	Boy	Worthy of praise; Sicilian form of Antoninus
Anzia	Girl	Begin at; One-armed

Aprilia	Unisex	Spring-like; Pertaining to April
Aquinas	Boy	Clear or pure water
Areanna	Girl	The one who is holy and pure
Aria	Girl	Lioness; Air; Melody
Ariana	Girl	Pure; Holy
Arianna	Girl	Very holy; Silver; Melody
Aribella	Girl	Beautiful lioness of God
Arionna	Unisex	Name indicating brightness, creativity, and expressiveness
Aristide	Boy	The perfect kind; One who is the best type
Arlia	Unisex	Unique; Exotic

Arlo	Boy	Fortified hill
Arlotto	Boy	Vagabond; Tramp
Armando	Boy	Soldier; Army man
Armani	Girl	Warrior; Army man
Armina	Girl	Noble, Warrior maiden
Armino	Boy	Warrior; Teacher; Scholar
Arnoldo	Boy	Eagle ruler
Aroldo	Boy	army ruler
Arrigo	Boy	Army; Warrior; To rule; House owner; Variant of the name Amerigo
Arsenal	Unisex	A collection or supply of weapons or military equipment

Arsenio	Boy	Virile
Arsi	Boy	Virile; A variation of Arsenius
Arturo	Boy	Eagle; Guardian of the bear
Aryana	Girl	Most holy
Aryanna	Girl	Most holy
Asia	Girl	Rising sun from the east
Assisi	Girl	An Italian hill town
Assunda	Girl	Italaian version of Susan
Atina	Unisex	Wise; Strong; Noble
Attilio	Boy	Italian form of a grand Roman style family

Audenzia	Girl	Feminine version of Audenzio; One who dares; One who is fearless
Aurelio	Boy	Golden; The golden one
Aurora	Girl	Dawn
Avabella	Girl	Unique; Feminine; Possibly derived from multiple origins
Avelia	Girl	Bird-like; Strength; Desired
Avellino	Boy	A smart and strong individual
Avena	Girl	Oatmeal; The one who grows grains
Azzurra	Unisex	Sky blue; Azure
Baiardo	Boy	A foolhardy; one who is reddish brown
Baldassare	Boy	Baal protect the king

Bambina	Girl	Little girl; Baby girl
Bandit	Unisex	A person who steals or robs, often as part of a group or gang
Basilio	Boy	Noble; Royal; Kingly; Rose
Batista	Boy	Baptist; To Dip
Beatrice	Girl	Bringer of joy; Blessed one
Beffa	Boy	Deceit
Belinda	Girl	Bright Serpent
Belisencia	Girl	A sense of purity; Whiteness
Bella	Girl	Beautiful; Gift of God
Belladonna	Girl	Beautiful woman

Bellagio	Unisex	Beautiful land; Beautiful place to stay
Bellarosa	Girl	A beautiful rose
Bellefleur	Girl	A beautiful flower
Bello	Boy	Helper
Belvedere	Unisex	Beautiful view; Panoramic viewpoint
Benancio	Boy	Good fortune or blessed
Benedetta	Girl	Blessed or fortunate
Benedetto	Boy	Blessed; Similar to Latin Benedict
Beniamino	Boy	Right-hand Son; Similar to Benedict; Son of the Right Hand
Benito	Boy	Blessed; Well-spoken; A variant of Benedict

Benvolio	Boy	Derived from the Italian word benevolo; Goodwill; Benevolent
Bera	Boy	A Well; Declaring
Berenice	Girl	Bringing victory
Beretta	Unisex	Hooded cloak; Maker of a headgear
Beri	Boy	My Corn
Betina	Girl	My God is an oath
Beto	Boy	A blessed individual who loves experiences
Betony	Girl	A Victorian botanical name; The betony plant is also known as woundwort
Bettino	Boy	A person who is blessed
Biaggio	Boy	One who stammers

Biagio	Boy	One who Stutters
Bianca	Girl	Light; White; Pure
Bice	Girl	The diminutive form of Beatrice
Bina	Girl	Knowledge; Bee
Bingo	Unisex	A game of chance where players mark off numbers on cards as they are randomly called out
Bivatigirni	Girl	A woman who is a true and honest beauty
Blaca	Girl	A white and shining woman
Blondina	Girl	Someone with fair or light-colored hair
Blu	Unisex	The color blue
Bobina	Girl	A little flame that burns brightly

Bobine	Girl	She who is like a bright flame
Boh	Unisex	I don’t know
Bona	Girl	A woman who acts in a good manner
Bonavento	Boy	A surname meaning welcome
Bonaventura	Boy	To have good fortune in life
Bonaventure	Boy	Good fortune
Bonifacio	Boy	A man who has goof faith
Bosco	Boy	A name of Italian Saint
Brandi	girl	A fiery light set up as a warning
Brando	Boy	Sword; A weapon used at the time of wars

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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.

captivating italian baby names and their meanings (infographic)

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

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