615+ Italian Names for Girls and Boys

As parents go searching for alternatives to the unstoppable Mateo/Matteo duo, Mattia stands out as a worthy option. Same handsome, alluring feel, for a fraction of the popularity. Buy now!

A definite improvement over the English Humbert, Umberto has nevertheless been rarely heard outside the Italian community.

The name of the great Italian Renaissance sculptor known as Donatello (but born DONATO), is one that could easily emigrate to modern America, just like sister DONATELLA.

In Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, the friend who persuades Romeo to go to the party where he meets Juliet. Alas.

This is an outside possibility for opera-lovers, with the additional eco/color factor.

This sleek Italian name was raised from the dead by Mexican Mozart in the Jungle star Gael Garcia Bernal, who chose it for his son (he also has a daughter named Libertad). For athletic inspiration, Lazaro Alvarez, boxing for Cuba, is the three-time world champion lightweight boxer. Lazarus and root name Eleazar are both also destined for comebacks.

This name of the patron saint of Naples would make an apt choice for a New Year's baby, or one with Neapolitan roots.

Stylish and dramatic, a la Donatella Versace.

In Italy, a common melding of two popular names, heard in the US as well.

Agata is an Agatha form widely used throughout Europe. And the hard t may be more appealing to your ear than the th sound.

A fresher, feistier Italian variant of Marcia.

Lighter Latin version of Anselm.

As classic as it comes in Italy — Filippo was once common during the Renaissance, and today remains in the Top 25.

Like many a popular name, Ornella is a theatrical creation. Italian playwright Gabriele d'Annunzio created this name for his dramatic heroine in the 1904 play La Figlia di Iorio. Ornella is a feminization of the orno or ornello, which is the Italian word for the Fraxinus Ornus, a type of tree which produces such sweet sap that it was compared to biblical manna.

Federica is the Latin version of Frederica, one of those formerly stuffy female names -- think Josephine and Eleanor -- that feels fresh and elegant again. And Federica has more energy without that first r.

An Italian spin on the current European darling Leon, though the final e makes it a tad feminine to the American sensibility.

Mafalda is nearly unknown in the English-speaking world, despite an appearance in Harry Potter. Indeed, it does have a witchy feel. Matilda itself is preferable, or her French form Mathilde, Spanish Matilde, or abbreviation Maud.