Italian Names

Male Names
  • Adriano (Latin) - From Hadria [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Alberto (Germanic) - Noble + bright, famous [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    Spanish, Portuguese and Italian form of Albert.

    The name is borne by former President of Peru Alberto Fujimori, who is currently on trial for human rights abuses and charges of corruption. Other bearers include former US Attorney-General A

  • Aldo (Germanic) - Old; elder [English, German, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]

    Male equivalent of Alda. From the Germanic element 'ald', 'old'.

  • Alessandro (Greek) - Defending men [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Italian form of Alexander.

    Alessandro de' Medici was the first de' Medici to be the Duke of Florence, and was the grandson of Lorenzo the Magnificent. He was assassinated by his cousin Lorenzino de' Medici.

    Other bearers incl

  • Alfredo (English) - Elf counsel [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    Portuguese, Spanish and Italian form of Alfred.

    The name has been borne by various South American Presidents: Alfredo Stroessner - President of Paraguay from 1954 to 89, Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso - President of Cuba from 1921 to 25, Alfredo P

  • Alonso (Germanic) - Noble and ready/prompt; all struggle [English, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]

    Short form of Alfonso

  • Angelo (Greek) - Messanger [English, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]

    Italian and Spanish form of the Greek name Angelos.

    Angelo is a character in Shakespeare's 'Measure for Measure'.

  • Antonio (Latin) - N/A [English, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]

    A Spanish form of the name Antonius (Anthony). The Portuguese form is spelt António.

    Notable bearers include Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi, actor Antonio Banderas, and Italian composer Antonio Salieri.

  • Armando (Germanic) - Man in the army. [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    Italian, Portuguese and Spanish form of Hermann.

    The name is borne by Scottish comedian Armando Iannucci.

  • Arsenio (Greek) - Virile [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    Italian, Portuguese and Spanish cognates of Arsenios.

  • Arturo (Gaelic) - Possibly bear or stone [English, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]

    Italian and Spanish form of Arthur.

    The name was borne by Italian musician and conductor Arturo Toscanini.

  • Aurelio (Latin) - Golden [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]
  • Bernardo (Germanic) - Bear brave; brave like a bear [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    Italian, Spanish and Portuguese form of Bernard.

  • Carlo (German) - Free man [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Carmine (Hebrew) - Garden; orchard [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Danilo (Hebrew) - God is my judge [English, Italian, Portuguese, Serbian and Spanish speaking countries]
  • Dante (Latin) - Enduring, obstinate [English and Italian speaking countries]

    The Italian poet and author of "The Divine Comedy" which outlines the nine circles of Hell is known as Dante, though he was born Durante.

    Dante Gabriel Rossetti was an English Pre-Raphaelite painter.

  • Dario (Persian) - Maintain well [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Dino (Italian) - N/A [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Italian nickname for names containing -dino.

  • Eliseo (Hebrew) - My God is salvation [English, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]
  • Emilio (Latin) - Rival; emulating [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    Derived from the old Roman family name Aemilius.

    Emilio Estevez is an actor who was famous as being part of the 1980s 'Brat Pack', and appeared in films such as 'The Breakfast Club' and 'St Elmo's Fire'. More recently, he has worked as a di

  • Ernesto (Germanic) - Earnest, serious [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]
  • Eugenio (Greek) - Well born [English speaking countries]
  • Francesco (Latin) - From France [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Gerardo (Germanic) - Strength of the spear [English and Spanish speaking countries]
  • Giancarlo (Hebrew) - God is gracious [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Blending of the names Gian and Carlo.

  • Gianni (Hebrew) - God is gracious [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Giovanni (Hebrew) - God is gracious [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Giuseppe (Hebrew) - He will enlarge [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Gregorio (Greek) - Watcher [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Leandro (Greek) - Lion man [English and Spanish speaking countries]

    Spanish, Portuguese and Italian variant of Leander.

  • Leonardo (Germanic) - Strong as the lion [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    Famous bearers include Italian Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci - most famous for his painting the 'Mona Lisa' but also a skilled architect, inventor, scientist, musician and writer. It's more recent popularity may be attributed to actor Leonardo Di

  • Leopoldo (Germanic) - Bold people [English and Spanish speaking countries]

    This is the variant used in Spain, Portugal and Italy.

  • Lorenzo (Latin) - Man from Laurentum [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Lorenzo de' Medici was the ruler of Florence during the Italian Renaissance. His grandson was also named Lorenzo, and was the father of French queen Catherine de' Medici.

    Lorenzo's Oil is used as a treatment for ALD (Adrenoleukodystrophy).

  • Luca (Greek) - Man from Lucania [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Italian form of Luke.

  • Luciano (Latin) - Light [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Marcello (Latin) - Little Marcus [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Italian cognate of Marcellus.

  • Marco (Latin) - From the god Mars [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    Spanish, Italian and Portuguese form of Mark.

    Marco Polo was a Venetian trader and explorer who was one of the first Westerners to travel the Silk Road to China and and visit the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire. "Marco Polo" is also the na

  • Mariano (Latin) - From the god Mars [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Italian form of Marianus, a Roman family name, which was itself derived from the Roman name Marius.

  • Mario (Latin) - From the god Mars [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    Italian, Spanish and Portuguese cognate of Marius.
    It is extremely popular, being taken as the masculine form of Maria, and therefore associated with the cult of the Virgin Mary.

  • Massimo (Latin) - The greatest [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Italian form of Maximus.

  • Matteo (Hebrew) - Gift of God [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Italian variant of Matthew.

  • Orlando (Germanic) - Famous country [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Italian form of Roland. A character in Shakespeare's play 'As You like It' bears this name, as does a city in Florida.
    Orlando appeared as a central character in a sequence of verse romances from the XVth century onwards, including Orlando Furioso

  • Oswaldo (German) - Uncertain, possibly divine power [English, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]
  • Raul (Germanic) - Wolf council [English and Spanish speaking countries]
  • Renzo (Latin) - Man from Laurentum [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Short form of Lorenzo.

  • Rico (French) - Strong power; hardy power [English, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]

    Nickname for Ricardo and Federico. In use as a surname as well.

  • Rigoberto (Germanic) - Bright wealth, splendid for his wealth [English, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]

    Of Tuetonic origin, Rigoberto was the name of a 7th century Archbishop of Rheims, France.

  • Roberto (Germanic) - Bright fame [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    Roberto Cavalli is a fashion designer.

  • Rocco (Germanic) - Battle cry; rest [English and Italian speaking countries]

    From the Latinised Rochus; in origin a Germanic name. It could be from either the Gothic 'hrukjan', Old German 'rohôn', 'to shout' - so 'battle cry' or from the Germanic 'hrok' - 'rest'.

  • Rodolfo (Germanic) - Famous wolf; wolf fame [English and Spanish speaking countries]
  • Salvatore (Italian) - Saviour; rescuer [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Italian variation of Salvador

  • Santino (Italian) - Sacred [English speaking countries]

    Endearment of Santo

  • Santos (Spanish) - Saints [English speaking countries]
  • Stefano (Greek) - Crown [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Italian version of Stephen.

  • Ulberto (Germanic) - Bright mind; intelligent [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Umberto (German) - Famous giant [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Valentino (Italian) - Healthy, strong [English speaking countries]
  • Vincente (Latin) - Conquering [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]
  • Vincenzo (Latin) - Conqueror [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Vito (Latin) - Life [English speaking countries]
Female Names
  • Alessandra (Greek) - Defending men [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Alessandra is the Italian form of Alexandra.

    The name is borne by Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio and right-wing Italian politician Alessandra Mussolini.

  • Alessia (Greek) - Defender [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Angelina (Greek) - Messenger [English, German, Italian, Polish and Russian speaking countries]

    Angelina Jolie is an American actress. The name is also shared by the character Angelina Ballerina - a dancing mouse.

  • Antonia (Latin) - N/A [Dutch, English, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish speaking countries]

    Antonia is the name of the main character in WIlla Cather's landmark American novel, "My Antonia."

  • Arianna (Greek) - Very holy one [English and Italian speaking countries]

    L'Arianna is a lost opera by composer Claudio Monteverdi. Arianna Huffington is an author and columnist.

  • Beatrice (Latin) - Voyager through life [English, French, German and Italian speaking countries]

    Italian and French form of Beatrix, which is probably a form of the early Christian name Viatrix, altered to incorporate the Latin 'beatus' (blessed).

    Beatrice is a character of Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing". It was also the n

  • Belinda (Latin) - Beautiful serpent [English speaking countries]

    The origin and meaning of Belinda is still uncertain, but it very likely comes from the Germanic lindi meaning "serpent" and Latin bellus meaning "beautiful."

    Belinda loses a lock of her hair in Alexander Pope's satirical poem "The Rape of

  • Bella (Hebrew) - My God is a vow [English speaking countries]

    Short form of '-bella' names such as Isabella or Annabella. It is also the Italian and Spanish feminine adjective for 'beautiful'.

    'Bella' was the name of a 2006 film by Alejandro Gomez Monteverde.

    Bearers include American po

  • Bianca (Italian) - White; fair [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Italian feminine adjective for 'white', from bianco.

    Shakespeare used this name in 'The Taming of the Shrew', for a character who cannot marry until her sister Kate does, and 'Othello', for a courtesan .

    Model and human ri

  • Cara (Gaelic) - Friend [English speaking countries]
  • Carina (Latin) - Beloved [English speaking countries]

    Most probably a form of Cara; which means beloved. It could also be a form of Catherine through Carin in which case it would mean 'pure'.

  • Carissa (French) - Caress [English speaking countries]
  • Carla (German) - Man [English speaking countries]
  • Carolina (German) - Free man [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    Feminine form of the Latin Carolus, from the name Charles.
    It is now the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese cognate of the name.

    The states of North and South Carolina in the USA were named after King Charles I of England.

  • Claudia (Latin) - Disabled [English, German, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]

    St Claudia was supposedly the mother of the second pope, Linus. Claudia Schiffer is a German supermodel, and Claudia Winkleman is a British TV presenter. The real first name of 'Lady Bird' Johnson (wife of US President Lyndon Johnson) was Claudia.

  • Cristina (Latin) - Follower of Christ [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    A variant of Christina, used predominantly by those of Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish origin.

  • Daniela (Hebrew) - God is my judge [English, German, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]

    Daniela Hantuchová is a Slovak tennis player. In the US, the name is particularly popular in California, where it was #60 in 2006. In Spain it was #19.

  • Elena (Greek) - Wicker, reed, shoot; torch; basket [English, Italian, Spanish and Swedish speaking countries]

    Elena is the Spanish and Italian form of Helen.

    Bearers include the Infanta Elena of Spain, eldest daughter of King Juan Carlos and tennis players Elena Dementieva and Elena Baltacha.

    The name is particularly popular in Spa

  • Elisa (Hebrew) - My God is a vow [English, Finnish, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    Short form of Elisabeth.

  • Francesca (Latin) - From France [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Francesca has been in use since the Middle Ages and is still a common name in many places, including Italy, Britain, and the United States.

  • Gabriella (Hebrew) - God is my might [English, Hungarian and Italian speaking countries]

    Lady Gabriella Windsor is the daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, and is a member of the British royal family. The main female character in Disney's 'High School Musical' is Gabriella Montez.

  • Gemma (Latin) - Jewel [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Whilst not that unusual in the UK (and also used in Italy and Spain), Gemma is very rare in the US. The name derives ultimately from the Latin feminine noun 'gemma', meaning a jewel or precious stone. The word was also used for a bud or a jewelled cup.

  • Gianna (Hebrew) - God is gracious [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Gianna is a nickname for Giovanna.

  • Giovanna (Hebrew) - God is gracious [English and Italian speaking countries]
  • Isabella (Hebrew) - My God is a vow [Dutch, English, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]

    There have been various queens named Isabella. Isabella of Castile laid the foundations for the unification of Spain, with her husband Ferdinand of Aragon. They reconquered Granada, and patronised Christopher Columbus on his first voyage to America. She w

  • Lia (Italian) - Uncertain, possibly from Rosalia [English speaking countries]

    Shortened form of names ending in -lia, such as Rosalia, but also Cornelia, Julia etc. In the English speaking world it could be an alternate spelling for Leah.

  • Liliana (Latin) - Lilies [English, Italian and Polish speaking countries]

    Liliana may be derived from Lilia (from the Latin for "lilies").

    It may also be a modern combination of Lily and Anna; or related to Elizabeth, from the Hebrew meaning "God's oath".

  • Lorena (Latin) - Man from Laurentum [English speaking countries]
  • Lucia (Latin) - Light [English, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]

    Saint Lucia is an island in the Caribbean. It was named after Saint Lucy (Lucia) of Syracuse.

    Saint Lucia enjoys a high degree of popularity in Scandinavian countries, where her feast day is celebrated every December 13th. Her connection

  • Luciana (Latin) - Light [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    Luciana is a main character of Shakespeare's play "The Comedy of Errors".

  • Marcella (Latin) - Little Marcus [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Latin feminine of Marcellus, a diminutive of Marcus. In regular use in the English-speaking countries since the 1860s.

    The most famous Marcella is probably "the most beautiful creature ever sent into the world", in Don Quixote by Cervantes.

  • Maria (Hebrew) - Bitter [Catalan, Dutch, English, Estonian, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish and Armenian speaking countries]

    Latin form of Mary.
    It arose as a back-formation from the early Christian Greek name Mariam, which was taken as a Latin accusative case, and is ultimately derived from Hebrew Miryam.

    In the English-speaking world, Maria was the writ

  • Marina (Latin) - From the god Mars [Bulgarian, English, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Serbian, Spanish and Russian speaking countries]

    A feminine form of the Roman family name Marinus.

    The name is derived from Marius (from the god Mars), but is identical to the Latin adjective 'marinus' meaning "of the sea", and therefore commonly associated to it.

    Marina is

  • Marisa (Hebrew) - N/A [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    20th century elaborated form of Maria, with the feminine suffix -isa abstracted from such names as Lisa or Louisa.
    It may also have been influenced by the Dutch pet form Maryse, or the Latin created name Maris.

  • Marta (Aramaic) - Lady [English, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish and Armenian speaking countries]
  • Martina (Latin) - From the god Mars [Czech, English, German, Italian, Romanian and Spanish speaking countries]

    Feminine form of Martinus. The name is popular throughout Europe.

  • Matilda (Germanic) - Powerful battler [English, Italian, Portuguese and Swedish speaking countries]

    Latinized form of Mathilda.

    Matilda of Flanders was Queen consort of the Kingdom of England and the wife of William the Conqueror.

    "Matilda," by Roald Dahl, is a children's book about a girl with extraordinary mental powers.<

  • Mattea (Hebrew) - Gift of God [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Feminine form of Matteo, the Italian cognate of Matthew.

  • Maura (Latin) - Moor [English, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]

    Of Celtic origin, perhaps derived from the Gaelic 'mohr' (great).
    It is also used as an Anglicized form of Máire.

    Alternatively, Maura is a feminine form of the Latin Maurus (dark-skinned).

  • Micaela (Hebrew) - Who is like God? [English, Italian and Portuguese speaking countries]
  • Monserrat (Latin) - Rough or jagged mountain [Catalan and English speaking countries]

    Place name referring to a range of Spanish mountains that was considered holy. The name Montserrat is used by the Catalans, and this is a derivative of that name.

  • Montserrat (Latin) - Rough or jagged mountain [Catalan and English speaking countries]

    Place name referring to a range of Spanish mountains that was considered holy. This name is heavily used by the Catalans.

  • Natalia (Italian) - Christ's birthday [English, Italian, Polish, Spanish and Russian speaking countries]

    The original form of the English name "Natalie," Natalia is derived from the Italian "natale," meaning "birthday." The term refers specifically to Christ's birthday - the Italian phrase for "merry Christmas" is "buon natale!", literally "good birthday!"

  • Paola (Latin) - Small; humble [English, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]
  • Paulina (Latin) - Small; humble [English, Italian, Polish and Spanish speaking countries]
  • Perla (Italian) - Pearl [English, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]
  • Regina (Latin) - Queen [English and Polish speaking countries]

    This name is very popular in southern Poland.

    Regina was one epithet of the Roman goddess Juno. It is also the name of a city in Saskatchewan, Canada.

  • Roberta (Germanic) - Bright fame [English speaking countries]
  • Rosa (Latin) - Rose [Dutch, English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    Rosa is the Latin name and the name of the genus of the rose plant.

    Rosa Parks was an African-American civil rights leader, who famously refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. This sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, wh

  • Rosanna (Latin) - Rose [English speaking countries]

    Combination of Rose and Anna.

  • Sandra (Greek) - Defending men [English and Estonian speaking countries]
  • Serena (Latin) - Composed; peaceful; cheerful [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Derived from the Latin "serenus"

    Serena Williams is an American tennis player.

    The Nissan Serena is a minivan or people carrier.

  • Siena (Italian) - From the name of the city [English speaking countries]
  • Silvia (Latin) - Wooded; forest [English and Italian speaking countries]

    From legend, Rhea Silvia was the mother of Remus and Romulus, the founders of Rome.
    St Silvia was the mother of Pope Gregory the Great.

  • Sophia (Greek) - Wisdom [English, German, Greek and Italian speaking countries]

    The name Sophia is derived from the Greek word for "wisdom." In early religious and philosophical texts, characters who personified wisdom are referred to as "Sophia figures."

    Famous bearers include actress Sophia Loren, Sophia Myles and

  • Susana (Hebrew) - Lily; rose [English speaking countries]
  • Teresa (Greek) - Harvester [English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    The exact meaning of Teresa is unknown, but it is likely to be from either the Greek word meaning "to harvest", the Greek word meaning "summer", or from the Greek island of Thera.

    This is a very popular Catholic name.

    St Tere

  • Valentina (Latin) - Healthy, strong [English, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]
  • Valeria (Latin) - To be healthy, strong [English speaking countries]

    A number of early Christian saints were named Valeria. Valeria is also the name of a character in Shakespeare's "Coriolanus." Many Americans became familiar with this name through the TV show "A Model Life," in which one of the contestants was named Val

  • Vanna (Italian) - She who sifts [English speaking countries]
  • Vannah (Hebrew) - God is gracious [English speaking countries]
  • Veronica (Greek) - Victory bringer [English, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian and Spanish speaking countries]

    Veronica is a genus of plants, the common name being speedwell.

    Though not mentioned in any of the four Gospels, St Veronica was supposed to have given a handkerchief to Jesus as he carried the cross. The face of Jesus later appeared on th

  • Virginia (Latin) - Maiden [Danish, English, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish and Swedish speaking countries]

    The American state of Virginia was named after English Queen Elizabeth I - known as the 'Virgin Queen' because she never married.

    Virginia Woolf was an English novelist and Virginia Wade is a Wimbledon winning tennis player.

  • Viridiana (Italian) - Young; fresh [English speaking countries]
Gender Neutral Names
  • Andrea (Greek) - Man, warrior; manly [Danish, English, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    A feminine name in the English speaking world, but used for boys in Italy.

    Examples of it being used as a female name include Irish singer Andrea Corr, and author Andrea Levy.

    Male Andreas include singer Andrea Bocelli, pain

  • Anita (Hebrew) - Grace; favour [English, Finnish, Hindi, Italian and Spanish speaking countries]

    Both used for females and males. As a female name Anita is derived from Anna and used in among other languages, English, Finnish, Spanish and Italian.
    As a male name it is Sanskrit in origin and used in the Hindu culture for boys.

  • Anna (Hebrew) - Grace; favour [Bulgarian, Catalan, Czech, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Slovak and Armenian speaking countries]

    In a greater part of the world seen as a Latinate form of Hannah and used on females.

    On the Indian subcontinent it is considered masculine and derived from the Sanskrit, meaning 'grain'. There was also a king of East Anglia named Anna.

  • Kara (Gaelic) - Friend [English and Turkish speaking countries]

    As a female name, Kara is derived from Cara - which has roots in Gaelic and Italian. As a male name it is Turkish.

    Kara refers to several geographical places.

    It is a character in the novel 'Benim Adým Kýrmýzý' by the Turki

  • Michele (Hebrew) - Who is like God? [English, French and Italian speaking countries]

    Michele is the Italian form of boys name Michael.

    Michèle is the feminine form of French name Michel, also related to Michael. It is also used in the English-speaking world (with or without the accent). It is pronounced 'mee-SHELL'.

  • Nicola (Greek) - Victory of the people [English and Italian speaking countries]

    Masculine in Italian, feminine in English.