40 Most Popular Italian Baby Names

Check out the most popular Italian baby names for girls and boys.

40 Most Popular Italian Baby Names

If your baby comes from Italian descent, it’s no wonder you want to give him or her a name that pays homage to your ancestry.

But giving your baby an Italian name can also signify your love for the country and its cuisine, architecture, history and art. And someday, who can say that young baby Florencia won’t end up living and working in Italy?

For a little inspiration to get you started, here are the most popular Italian baby names for girls and boys based on the country's latest official statistics.

Francesco

Francesco, the original name that inspired both "Francis" and "Frank," is the most popular Italian male name. It literally means "French person," an unusual meaning considering its commonality in Italy. However, the word "French" in this case takes on its original meaning from the Latin, "free one."

Young and not-so-young fans of “Cars 2” can also recall the character, Francesco Bernoulli. It is also the name shared by the Italian writer Francesco Berni and the composer Francesco Cavalli.

Sofia

The Italian Sofia is a version of the original Greek name, "Sophia," meaning "wisdom, skillful." The name has been common in England since James I named his daughter Sophia in the 17th century.

In its various forms, including Sophia, Sofia and Sophie, this was the most popular name in the United States between 2000 and 2017. Director Sofia Coppola and actress Sofia Vergara, of “Modern Family” fame, are both popular examples of this beautiful name.

Edoardo

In Italian, Edoardo means "rich guardian." Boys named Edoardo are destined to defend their own wealth, which doesn't necessarily mean money. One can be rich in friends and experiences, and Edoardo will guard everything he holds dear with loving care.

Edoardo is also the name of a member of the British royal family, Count "Edo" Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi, husband of Princess Beatrice, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II.

Vittoria

Vittoria, the Italian iteration of the popular name Victoria, is currently the 10th most popular Italian girl's name. Unsurprisingly, it means "victorious" or "triumphant."

Vittoria, along with the cute diminutive Tori, might just find herself kicking the competition's butt with surprising ease.

Leonardo

Leonardo is inspired by the Old French language and also Old High German, "Lewenhart." The two elements come together to mean “lion heart.” While it didn’t really gain traction until the 19th century, the name has since become the second most popular Italian boy's name.

Famous namesakes include painter Leonardo da Vinci and actor Leonardo di Caprio. The more anglicized version of the name is Leonard, with many ’60s folk music fans naming their offspring after Leonard Cohen.

Giulia

The Italian version of the name Julia derives from the Latin masculine names Julio and Julius. It has remained among the top 150 names for girls in the United States for the past 100 years.

There are many destinations and landmarks in Italy that may inspire parents to name their child Giulia, including Capella Giulia (a chapel in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome), Santa Giulia (a former monastery in Lombardy) and Valle Giulia (a valley near Rome). Other famous Giulias include Giulia Botti, an Italian triathlete and ski mountaineer, and Giulia Novelli, an Italian opera singer.

Giuseppe

Giuseppe is an old Italian form of the name Joseph, meaning "to grow or praise." While Joseph is very popular in the states, Giuseppe has hardly surfaced at all.

More parents select the similar-sounding name Giovanni, but we think Giuseppe and its nickname, Beppe, make for a unique and sweet Italian baby name.

Giuseppe is also the name of an Italian composer, Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco, and Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian general and politician.

Anna

Anna is one of the most common Italian baby girl names, in part because it's popular across so many cultures. Derived from a Hebrew word meaning "grace," Anna was said to be the name of the Virgin Mary's mother, Saint Anna.

Anna is the name of one of the two leading ladies of Disney's "Frozen," and actress Anna Kendrick has added even more to the name's popularity. If you love the meaning of the name but aren't a fan of the sound, consider variations like Hannah, Annalise, Anika or Anya.

Alessandro

The Italian version of the name Alexander, the name Alessandro means "defender of man." Other languages have adopted the name as Alejandro, Alexandru and Alexandre.

The current head of design house Gucci is Alessandro Michele, with other famous namesakes including Alessandro Safina, an Italian tenor, and Italian football player Alessandro Sturba.

Aurora

Most commonly, this name makes reference to the Roman goddess of the dawn. It comes traditionally from Latin, though it is also popular in Russia and India. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, the name became more popular due to the Aurora cruiser playing a central role in this historical event.

The Sanskrit name, Aarushi, translates to the “first rays of the sun at dawn.” The name is closely related to the word Arusha, which first appears in the Rig Veda, a holy Indian text. Disney fans will also recall that Sleeping Beauty was named Aurora.

Nicolo

Nicolo is about as Italian as a boy's name can get. Nicolo comes from a Greek word meaning "people of victory."

A shorter, more rhythmic version of Nicholas, Nicolo has a fresh enough sound that it was selected by actor Stanley Tucci for his son.

For a nickname, try shortening it to Nico.

Chiara

Chiara, a unique Italian baby girl name, has a romantic sound and meaning: light and clear. If you'd prefer a more widely known name, consider Claire, Cara or Kiera, which all have similar meanings.

Santa Chiara is the Italian name of St. Clare, and the name currently ranks eighth in Italy. It's also a popular name in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Lorenzo

Both a common first name and surname, Lorenzo most easily translates to Laurence or Lawrence. An ancient Roman city in the south of Rome, Laurentum was the origin for the name, which translates as "originating from Laurentum."

It has since been considered to have more to do with the laurel wreath, a symbol of achievement and knowledgeability. Famous people named Lorenzo include football player Lorenzo Insigne and singer Lorenzo Antonio.

Alice

Not traditionally considered an Italian name, this moniker has European and British history primarily. The French adapted the German name "Adalheidis" (noble one) to Adelaide, which the English further modified to be Alys, Aeleis and then Alice.

The name became popular when Queen Victoria named her daughter Alice in 1843, followed by the publication of Lewis Carroll's classic novel, “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,” in 1865. It peaked in popularity in the U.S. in the 1880s but has clearly become quite popular in Italy.

Antonio

Antonio is a baby boy name with both Spanish and Italian ties. Meaning "priceless," Antonio was a favorite of the poet and playwright Shakespeare, who used it in five of his plays.

Antonio is a classic in Spanish-speaking countries, with a debonair tone that parents love. It can also be shortened to Tonio for a light, fun-to-say nickname.

While it's not in the top 100 baby names, it has remained in the top 1,000 since name records began in 1880.

Alessia

If you're looking for a powerful baby girl name, look no further. The Italian name Alessia means "defending warrior." While it was seldom heard of before the turn of the century, the rise of pop singer Alessia Cara gave the name a well-deserved reboot.

It's a perfect spin on more common, overused names like Alexa and Alyssa.

Mattia

Pronounced "Matt-ee-ah," this is the Italian form of the name "Matthias" from the German language. In other languages, it becomes Mattheus (Biblical Latin), Matthew (English), Mateja (Serbian) and Matthias (Swedish).

This is the name of the apostle in the New Testament who is chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, once his treason is realized.

Two Hungarian kings were also named Matthias. One of them (Matthius Corvinus) introduced major reforms to the kingdom in the 15th century.

Ginevra

Ginevra translates most easily to the English "Genevieve", "Guinevere" or "Jennifer." It also refers to the Italian form of "Geneva," the Swiss city.

The popularity of the name in Italy has risen dramatically in the past few decades, rising from No. 82 in 2002 to No. 5 in 2017. Leonardo da Vinci painted a famous portrait of Ginevra de Benci, a Florentine aristocrat. Harry Potter fans, however, will recognize the name from character Ginevra Weasley.

Fedrico

Federico, an Italian boy's name, is a flavorful spin on the harsher sounding Frederick. Both names mean "to rule with peace," and Federico has held its own on the top 20 most popular Italian boys names list for over two decades.

There are plenty of famous Federicos, including Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca and Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini.

Nicole

The familiar girl's name Nicole is derived from a Greek word meaning "people of victory." It's a feminine version of Nicholas, just like Nicolette and Nicola.

During the 1980s, Nicole made it to number four on the baby name charts, where it remained through the early '90s. Back then, it was considered a trendy, French-inspired name, but now it's common in many countries.

Andrea

The name Andrea originates from the Greek "Andros," meaning “manly,” and it can translate to Andre or Andrew. The name can be extended, usually in Greek, to Androgeos (man of the earth), Andronikos (man of victory) or Androcles (man of glory).

Famous inspirations include Andrea Bocelli, the opera singer, and Flemish physician Andrea Vesalius, the founder of modern human anatomy. Andrea is also a common female name in most cultures, even in Italy as of late.

Emma

Emma is derived from the German "ermen," meaning "whole." This root word has also inspired names like Emmeline and Emily. It was the name of King Ethelred II's wife, Emma of Normandy, making the name common in England.

It has consistently rated as one of the most common names in the United States, Britain, France, Sweden, Canada, Australia and Spain over the past decade. Famous Emmas include actress Emma Watson and Jane Austen's title character in both book and film.

Diego

Go Diego, go! The name Diego is likely a derivative of Santiago, a Spanish name meaning "supplanter."

While Diego was originally a Spanish name, it became so popular in Italy that it's now considered a multicultural name.

Diego was the name of a Sevillian saint, and renowned Mexican painter Diego Rivera was named after him.

Sara

Sara is one of the oldest girl's names in the books. Like many ancient names, Sara comes from a Hebrew word meaning "princess."

Sarah was the original spelling of the popular name, but Sara has a more modern feel to it.

Gabriele

Gabriele originates from the Normandy region of France as a surname derived from the given name Gavriel (meaning "God has given me strength").

Noteworthy people that inspire this choice of name include Italian footballer Gabriele Paoletti and Italian astronomer Gabriele Cattani. Those with a passion for numbers may also name their son after Gabriele Torelli, the Italian mathematician (un matematico italiano).

Giorgia

A Latin form of the masculine "George," this name has roots in the Greek word "georgos," which translates to “farmer or earth worker.” In other languages, the name becomes Gergana (Bulgarian), Georgina (Dutch), Georgette or Gigi (French), Gyorgyi (Hungarian) and Georgiana (Romanian).

Giorgia Todrani is known purely by her first name. An Italian singer, songwriter, radio host and record producer, she is best known for her signature soul and R&B sound.

Davide

The name Davide, pronounced "dah-VEED," is a boy's name of Hebrew origin that means "beloved." As a biblical name found in the Old Testament, David and all its variations are popular in countries with a prevalent Christian tradition.

Davide is a classic in Italy and Wales, although it's not quite as popular today as the similar name Daniel.

Bianca

Bianca was first made popular by the great Shakespeare, but Italians decided it was worth hanging on to. Bianca, like similar names Blanche and Blanca, means "white."

All three names are popular choices for babies born in winter since it matches the shade of freshly fallen snow to a tee.

Riccardo

Translating to the anglicized name of Richard, Riccardo can be both a first name and surname, meaning "powerful leader."

Famous namesakes include Riccardo Bacchelli, a writer, and Riccardo di Segni, chief rabbi of Rome. Fashion lovers will know the celebrated designer Riccardo Tisci, who has designed for Givenchy and Burberry.

Greta

This name is considered an abbreviated form of the name "Margaret," meaning “pearl.”

The celebrated Swedish actress Greta Garbo epitomized glamour and romanticism in the 1940s. Other famous inspirations include German dancer Greta Wrage von Pustau; Greta Podleski, a Canadian chef and TV host; and Greta Scacchi, an Italian-Australian actress.

Giovanni

Boys' names don't get much more Italian sounding than Giovanni. The name has been a classic in Italy for decades, meaning "God is gracious."

It's very common in Italy, but an increasing number of American and Italian-American parents are catching on to the name thanks to namesakes like writer Giovanni Boccaccio and Giovanni Versace.

If Giovanni feels too long, the shorter name Gianni is a great option.

Camilla

Camilla was originally an ancient Roman name that later rose to popularity in both Italy and Spain.

According to Roman mythology, Camilla was a huntress who could run so fast that she could sprint across a field without bending a single blade of grass.

Camilla has been used as a literary name for centuries. It also evolved into the name of a brightly colored flower called the camellia.

Matteo

The Hebrew translation of this classic Italian name is "gift of god." Matteo is translated to Matthew in other cultures or the female, Mattia. Famous inspirations include Matteo Tosatto, an Italian cyclist, or Matteo Renzi, an Italian politician.

A common name worldwide in its various forms, Matthew is considered a sacred name due to Matthew the Apostle who is one of the 12 apostles of Jesus and creator of the Gospel of Matthew.

Martina

Martina is a feminized version of the Latin name "Martinus," referring to the Roman god of war, Mars.

The internationally renowned tennis star Martina Navratilova raised the popularity of the name throughout Europe at the height of her fame in the 1980s. It also peaked in popularity in the U.S. at this time. Other famous namesakes include Amerian country singer Martina McBride and Martina Topley-Bird, a British singer.

Marco

Marco, like many Italian and Spanish names, has Latin origins. It means "warlike," describing boys who are athletic, driven, ambitious and fearless. It blends flawlessly with surnames of countless nationalities, making it a popular choice for bilingual babies.

It's also related to the name of a Roman god, Mars, and was the name of a Venetian explorer Marco Polo. The only downside is that jokes on the playground are bound to pop up whenever a rousing game of Marco Polo breaks out.

Arianna

It should come as no surprise that Arianna is one of the most popular Italian baby names. The smooth sounding name has Greek and Italian roots meaning "most holy." It can be spelled "Ariana" or "Arianna," with Arianna being the more popular iteration.

Arianna is the name of numerous characters in operas and, we'd be remiss not to mention Ariana Grande, the pop star known for her powerful vocals and provocative compositions.

Tommaso

The Italian version of Thomas, the roots of this name are in the Aramaic "teoma," meaning "twin."

As with Matthew, or Matteo, this name is shared by one of the 12 apostles in the Bible. Other popular Italians with the name include Renaissance painter Tommaso de Aleni, footballer Tommaso Arrigoni, prelate Tommaso Pasquale Gizzi and actor Tommaso Salvini.

Beatrice

Beatrice has origins in the Latin "Beatrix," which means "she who makes happy." The French and Italian form of the name is Beatrice, with a Spanish and Portuguese variation, Beatriz.

The name is popular in Romania, though less so in the United Kingdom and United States, where it ranked No. 691 for baby girls in 2012.

Those seeking inspiration can look to Beatrice Roberts, an American actress, or Beatrice Lanza, an Italian triathlete.

Luca

Luca is one of the oldest Italian names in the books. Meaning "man from Lucania," it's hard to believe that American parents once viewed Luca as too feminine-sounding. It first appeared on the U.S. name charts in 2000 and has remained popular ever since.

Both Hilary Duff and Colin Firth have sons named Luca, and Luca was also the name and title of a heartwarming 2021 Disney movie about a merboy who wants to live on land.

Mia

One of the most popular Italian names is the precious baby girl name Mia. Well-known in numerous countries, particularly Scandinavian ones, Mia means "mine." While that may sound possessive, it really just represents how priceless and beloved a new baby is to their parents.

The multicultural name has frequently been used as a nickname for Maria, Amelia and Miriam. Now it has now surpassed to become the most popular Italian baby girl name starting with M, partly thanks to actress Mia Farrow who starred on the nighttime soap opera "Peyton Place."

Feeling Inspired?

Many of the most popular Italian names have Latin, Greek and Roman origins with similar names appearing in other European cultures.

Whether the name refers purely to people or also to places, parents of non-Italian descent can take global inspiration when naming their child in the desire and hope that their children take an interest in both international culture, travel and history.