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 | |
---|---|---|---|
Duran | Boy | A firm and enduring human being | |
Durant | Boy | An unbending person; Enduring one | |
Durante | Boy | One who is inaccessible | |
Ealda | Girl | Majestic creatures who rule | |
Eama | Girl | One who comprises of the whole universe | |
Edda | Girl | One with a clear vision; Great grandmother inheritance | |
Edgardo | Boy | A wealthy man who is known for riches | |
Editta | Girl | A rich gift; a very efficient present | |
Edmonda | Girl | The clean one who is like a guardian | |
Edmondo | Boy | A highly successful and productive being | |
Edoardo | Boy | Rich guardian; they are responsible and efficient | |
Eduardo | Boy | The holder of rich property | |
Edvige | Girl | Contention and strife | |
Edwaldo | Boy | A loving and prosperous guardian | |
Egidio | Boy | A shield bearer; name of a brave kid | |
Eidita | Girl | Wealthy; joyous and responsible person | |
Elara | Girl | Spear-shaft; Hazelnut | |
Elda | Girl | One who is born warrior | |
Eleanora | Girl | Light which is shining and bright | |
Elena | Girl | Bright one | |
Elenore | Girl | One who is filled with light and bright | |
Eleonora | Girl | Shining bright light coming from above | |
Elettra | Girl | A healer who really likes to cure people | |
Eleua | Girl | The one who is intelligent and is majestic | |
Elia | Girl | My God is Yahweh | |
Eligio | Boy | A very private yet interesting person | |
Elio | Boy | The sun | |
Eliodoro | Boy | They are the gift sent from Sun | |
Elisa | Girl | My God is an oath; My God is fullness | |
Elisabetha | Girl | A bountiful God figure on Earth | |
Elisabetta | Girl | God is bountiful and helpful | |
Eliseo | Boy | God is salvation | |
Elmo | Boy | Beloved; Helmet; Protection | |
Eloisa | Girl | Healthy; Wide | |
Elpidio | Boy | Hope | |
Elvera | Girl | White; Truth | |
Emanuele | Boy | God is with us | |
Emberto | Boy | One who is a bright warrior | |
Emerlinda | Girl | The whole universe is soft or tender | |
Emidio | Boy | Of Saint Emegdius | |
Emilia | Girl | Rival; To emulate; Excel | |
Emiliana | Girl | Someone who wants to excel | |
Emiliano | Boy | Someone who is industrious and has the zeal to work hard | |
Emilio | Boy | Someone who tries to emulate; A rival | |
Emily | Girl | Hardworking; Dilligent; Industrious person | |
Emma | Girl | Whole; Universal | |
Ennio | Boy | A famous poet during Roman civilization. | |
Enric | Boy | The head of the household | |
Enrica | Girl | A ruler of her house | |
Enrico | Boy | One who rules the home | |
Enrique | Boy | Ruler of an estate; Home ruler | |
Enriquez | Boy | A person who owns large estates and rules them | |
Enza | Girl | Consecrated; Abundance | |
Enzio | Boy | A ruler at home | |
Enzo | Boy | Ruler of an estate or a house | |
Erald | Boy | Rule | |
Erasto | Boy | Beloved; Highly loving | |
Ercole | Boy | Gift | |
Ermanno | Boy | A mighty defender | |
Ermelinda | Girl | Soft; Whole; Universal | |
Ermelinde | Girl | Something which is soft and tender; Whole; Universal | |
Erminio | Boy | The Greek God for speed and good luck. | |
Ersilia | Girl | A Roman mythological figure | |
Esta | Girl | Someone from the east | |
Este | Boy | An Italian word meaning someone from the East | |
Ettore | Boy | Someone steadfast | |
Etzio | Boy | Eagle | |
Eufemia | Girl | To speak; To declare; Words of good omen | |
Eufemme | Girl | Good omen | |
Eufemmia | Girl | Good omen | |
Eugenio | Boy | Nobility; High born | |
Euilaun | Boy | Nobility; High born | |
Eustachio | Boy | A very famous saint | |
Evaluna | Girl | Life of the moon; Living moon | |
Evangelista | Unisex | Bringer of good news; Gospel writer | |
Ezio | Boy | One who is like an eagle | |
Fabia | Girl | A woman who is a bean farmer | |
Fabian | Boy | Bean farmer; Noble | |
Fabiana | Girl | A little woman who farms beans | |
Fabiano | Boy | A man who grows beans | |
Fabio | Boy | Bean | |
Fabricio | Boy | A man who is very crafty | |
Fabrizia | Girl | A woman with crafty hands | |
Fabrizio | Boy | Craftsman | |
Fantino | Boy | A form of Fantinus; A baby boy | |
Farfalla | Girl | She is like a butterfly | |
Fausta | Girl | A lucky one | |
Faustine | Girl | A fortunate woman | |
Faustino | Boy | A little lucky man | |
Fausto | Boy | Man of luck | |
Favio | Boy | A man of wisdom and understanding | |
Faviola | Girl | A woman of wisdom and bravery | |
Fedele | Boy | A faithful man | |
Fedella | Girl | A woman who is faithful and true | |
Federica | Girl | A Queen who rules peacefuly | |
Federico | Boy | A ruler who rules in peace | |
Federigo | Boy | One whose ruling brings peace | |
Feli | Unisex | Lucky; Happy | |
Felice | Girl | A fortunate and happy lady | |
Feliciana | Girl | A fortunate lady | |
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.
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