150 Italian names: Cool, classic and rare choices for your baby

Here's our list of Italian baby names to help inspire you...

Top 15 Italian boy names | Top 20 Italian girl names | Classic Italian baby names | Cool Italian baby names

Italian naming traditions

Italians have historic traditions that mean certain rules are usually followed when choosing a name for their children:

• The first male is named after their paternal grandfather
• The first female is named after their paternal grandmother
• The second male is named after their maternal grandfather
• The second female is named after their maternal grandmother

Any more children born thereafter would be named after other relatives, such as their parents, aunts and uncles. This can mean that quite often, there are numerous children with the same name in one extended family.

Italian names also follow the grammatical rules that most other Italian words do. With some exceptions, masculine names end in 'o' and feminine names end in 'a'. You will see many baby names following these grammatical rules in our list below.

Top 15 Italian boy names

Italian boy names don't make it into the top 100 most popular boy names in the United Kingdom so we looked at which Italian boy names are trending over in Italy instead. According to Italy's Istat, a web resource that keeps track of baby names in the country, these are the most popular names in Italy for 2022 (the most up-to-date findings so far). Boy names that top the charts in Italy boy include some lovely options that can be shortened into popular UK names such Leonardo, Franceso and Tommaso...

1. Leonardo

• Origin: Italian variation of Leonard
• Meaning: brave lion

2. Francesco

• Origin: Italian variation of Franciscus
• Meaning: free man

3. Tommaso

• Origin: Italian variation of Thomas
• Meaning: twin

4. Edoardo

• Origin: Italian variation of Edward
• Meaning: wealthy guard

5. Alessandro

• Origin: Italian variant of Alexander
• Meaning: defender of the people

6. Lorenzo

• Origin: Italian variant of Laurence
• Meaning: bold, spirited

7. Mattia

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: gift of God

8. Gabriele

• Origin: Italian variation of Gabriel
• Meaning: God is my strength

9. Riccardo

• Origin: Italian variation of Ricardo or Richard
• Meaning: powerful leader

10. Matteo

• Origin: Italian variation of Matthew
• Meaning: gift of God

11. Giuseppe

• Origin: Italian variation of Joseph
• Meaning: God will add

12. Federico

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: peaceful ruler

13. Samuele

• Origin: Italian variation of Samuel
• Meaning: told by God

14. Giovanni

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: God is gracious

15. Pietro

• Origin: Italian variation of Peter
• Meaning: rock

Top 20 Italian girl names

Unlike the boys, some Italian girls' names do make it onto the top 100 names in the United Kingdom including Isabelle, Cara and Bella. We also looked further down the list of the most popular names in the UK — using the data from the Office for National Statistics (for England and Wales), the National Records of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency — and have compiled the most popular names that have rich Italian heritage, starting with the most common choices.

16. Isabelle

• Origin: Italian/Spanish variation of Elizabeth
• Meaning: 'God is my Oath'

17. Aria

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: solo melody

18. Aurora

• Origin: Italian/Latin
• Meaning: dawn

19. Cara

• Origin: Italian/Latin
• Meaning: dearest; friend

20. Bella

• Origin: Italian/Spanish/Latin
• Meaning: beautiful

21. Lucia

• Origin: Italian. feminine form of Lucius
• Meaning: light

22. Beatrice

• Origin: Italian version of Beatrix
• Meaning: bringer of joy

23. Julia

• Origin: Italian feminine form of Roman family name Julius
• Meaning: youthful

24. Elena

• Origin: Italian/Spanish version of Helen
• Meaning: light

25. Francesca

• Origin: Italian feminine form of Francisco
• Meaning: from France; free

26. Gabriella

• Origin: Italian feminine form of Gabriel
• Meaning: 'God is my strength'

27. Valentina

• Origin: Italian/Latin
• Meaning: healthy; strong

28. Arianna

• Origin: Italian/Greek
• Meaning: most holy
• Also: Ariana

29. Gianna

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: 'God is gracious'
• Also: Geanna

30. Alessia

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: defender; defending warrior

31. Frances

• Origin: Italian feminine version of Francis
• Meaning: from France

32. Roma

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: after Rome

33. Kara

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: dearest; friend

34. Bianca

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: white

35. Camilla

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: helper to the priest

76 classic Italian names

If you love the idea of a name that will never go out of fashion then this is the list for you. These classic Italian names for boys and girls have been passed down from generation to generation and they are part of the rich, Italian culture. While they sound romantic and have a lovely lyrical feel to them these names are well-known in both Italy and the UK, so you'll have no worries about misspellings or other people struggling to pronounce them.

36. Adriano

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: man from Adria

37. Allegra

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: joyful, happy

38. Alfonso

• Origin: Italian and Spanish variation of Alphonsus
• Meaning: noble, ready

39. Alfredo

• Origin: Italian variation of Alfred
• Meaning: elf counsel

40. Amadea

• Origin: Italian, Latin
• Meaning: God's beloved

41. Amadora

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: gift of love

42. Amato

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: loved

43. Amore

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: love

44. Angelo

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: angel, messenger

45. Antonio

• Origin: Italian variation of Antonius
• Meaning: highly praiseworthy

46. Agnola

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: angel

47. Benvenuto

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: welcome

48. Bettina

• Origin: Italian/Latin variation of Elizabeth
• Meaning: God is my oath

49. Concetta

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: conceived

50. Caroline

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: free woman
• Also: Carolyn

51. Corrado

• Origin: Italian variation of Conrad
• Meaning: brave

52. Davide

• Origin: Italian variation of David
• Meaning: beloved

53. Domenica

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: belonging to the Lord

54. Donata

• Origin: Italian, Latin
• Meaning: gift

55. Donna

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: lady, woman

56. Eleonora

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: shining light

57. Enrica

• Origin: Italian veariation of Heimerich
• Meaning: home ruler

58. Enrico

• Origin: Italian variation of Henry
• Meaning: ruler of the home

59. Enzo

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: home ruler

60. Ermanno

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: brother

61. Ettore

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: loyal, steadfast

62. Federico

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: peaceful ruler

63. Ferdinando

• Origin: Italian variation of Ferdinand
• Meaning: bold voyager

64. Filippo

• Origin: Italian variation of Philip
• Meaning: friend of horses

65. Fiorella

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: little flower

66. Gemma

• Origin: Old Italian word for 'jewel’
• Meaning: precious stone; gem
• Also: Jemma

67. Geronimo

• Origin: Italian, Spanish
• Meaning: sacred name

68. Giacomo

• Origin: Italian variation of James
• Meaning: God protects

69. Giada

• Origin: Italian version of Jade
• Meaning: Jade

70. Giorgio

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: land worker

71. Giotto

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: God’s peace

72. Giovanna

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: God is gracious

73. Giuliano

• Origin: Italian variation of Julian
• Meaning: youthful

74. Giuseppe

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: God will add

75. Isacco

• Origin: Italian variation of Isaac
• Meaning: he will laugh, resilient joy

76. Italia

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: after Italy

77. Lilla

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: lilac

78. Luciana

• Origin: Italian, Spanish
• Meaning: light

79. Lucrezia

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: succeed, prosperity

80. Luigi

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: renowned warrior

81. Marco

• Origin: Italian variation of Mark
• Meaning: dedicated to Mars

82. Mareno

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: mare

83. Marsella

• Origin: Italian variation of Marcellus
• Meaning: warlike

84. Mariella

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: star of the sea

85. Marisa

• Origin: Italian/Latin
• Meaning: drop of the sea

86. Marsella

• Origin: Italian variation of Marcellus
• Meaning: warlike

87. Martina

• Origin: Italian/Latin
• Meaning: warlike

88. Massimo

• Origin: Italian, Spanish
• Meaning: biggest

89. Michele

• Origin: Italian variation of Michael
• Meaning: who is like God?

90. Orlando

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: famous land

91. Ottavio

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: eighth

92. Pamina

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: little honey

93. Paolo

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: small

94. Pasquale

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: born on Easter

95. Patrizia

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: noble

96. Piero

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: rock

97. Raffaele

• Origin: Italian variation of Raphael
• Meaning: God has healed

98. Roberto

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: bright fame

99. Rocco

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: rest, repose

100. Romeo

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: pilgrim to Rome

101. Rosabella

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: beautiful rose

102. Salvatore

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: saviour

103. Santina

• Origin: Italian, Latin
• Meaning: little saint

104. Santo

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: holy

105. Serafina

• Origin: Italian variation of Seraphina
• Meaning: fiery, burning

106. Stefano

• Origin: Italian variation of Stephanos
• Meaning: wreath, crown

107. Umile

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: humble

108. Valentino

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: strength

109. Vero

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: true

110. Violetta

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: purple

111. Vittorio

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: winner, conqueror

39 cool Italian names

When it comes to naming your baby, you don't have to follow the crowd. Perhaps something a little more cool or trendy suits your style and your family instead? The list below includes some unique Italian girl and boy names that are unusual and distinctive – just make sure to tell your family and friends how to pronounce your cool Italian-inspired baby name choice.

112. Alessia

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: defender

113. Angelo

• Origin: Italian variation of Angelus
• Meaning: angel

114. Arianna

• Origin: Italian, Greek
• Meaning: most holy

115. Avena

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: grower of oats

116. Azzurra

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: azure, sky blue

117. Bambi

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: baby girl
• Also: Bambie

118. Brando

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: sword, fireband

119. Caro

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: dear

120. Cesare

• Origin: Italian variation of Caesar
• Meaning: heads of hair

121. Ciro

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: sun

122. Daniele

• Origin: Italian variation of Daniel
• Meaning: God is my judge

123. Donte

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: lasting

124. Ennio

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: destined

125. Fabbro

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: blacksmith

126. Fabrizio

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: craftsman

127. Felice

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: lucky

128. Fiamma

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: flame

129. Franca

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: free one

130. Gia

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: God is gracious

131. Gianluca

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: God is gracious, light

132. Gioia

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: joy

133. Jovanne

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: God is gracious

134. Lazzaro

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: God has helped

135. Gregorio

• Origin: Italian variation of Gregory
• Meaning: vigilant, a watchman

136. Mano

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: hand

137. Mattia

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: gift of God

138. Milana

• Origin: Italian, Slovac
• Meaning: gracious, dear

139. Narciso

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: sleep

140. Niccolo

• Origin: Italian variation of Nicholas
• Meaning: victor of people
• Also: Nico

141. Ornella

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: flowering ash tree

142. Orsino

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: bear

143. Ravenna

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: raven

144. Renzo

• Origin: Italian, abbreviation of Lorenzo
• Meaning: third link

145. Sansone

• Origin: Italian variation of Samson
• Meaning: sun

146. Santino

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: little saint

147. Tullio

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: the one who leads

148. Umberto

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: renowned warrior

149. Valerio

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: strong, valiant

150. Viviana

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: lively

Pics: Getty Images

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