Rare Italian Names for Boys
Updated Fri Feb 02 2024
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These rare Italian names for boys are heard more often in Rome, Italy than Rome, New York, but are eminently usable here as Italian names continue to grow in favor. Some of the top boy names in Italy are ripe for American discovery — Nicolo and Giulio, Alessio and Vincenzo.
Along with Nicolo and Alessio, other Italian names that are rare in the US but common in Italy include Pietro, Elia, Emanuele, Jacopo, Giorgio, Domenico, and Raffaele. Classic Italian choices that would easily translate on an American child include Federico, Adriano, Francesco, and Marcello. If you love Italian names but want to go beyond Luca and Leonardo, explore this list of our favorite rare Italian names for boys, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
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- Elio
Origin:
Italian, SpanishMeaning:
"sun"Description:
Elio is a sunny and spirited Italian and Spanish name that makes a great crossover prospect, which could catch on as Enzo has. Elio is also currently popular in France, ranking in the Top 250.
- Aurelio
Origin:
Italian; Spanish, variation of AureliusMeaning:
"the golden one"Description:
Aurelio is an energetic Italian name rarely heard in the US, with an attractive aura. As the female version Aurelia gains greater notice, we expect to hear more from Aurelio too. In fact, Aurelio has recently entered the Top 1000 in the US in 2022. Next to follow might be latinate versions Aurelius and Aurelian.
- Alessio
Origin:
Italian variation of AlexisMeaning:
"defender"Description:
Alessio, simpler than the related Alessandro, would be a welcome settler here.
- Orlando
Origin:
Italian variation of RolandMeaning:
"famous throughout the land"Description:
Orlando, the ornate Italianate twist on the dated Roland, with a literary heritage stretching back to Shakespeare and before, has appealing book-ended o's, and is open to combination with almost any last name, a la British actor, Orlando Bloom.
- Valentino
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"strength, health"Description:
A dashing, dramatic and romantic Italian surname, associated with early movie heartthrob Rudolph, and later with Italian fashion designer Valentino (Garavani). Also the name of an early Roman saint, whose feast day marks the beginning of spring. Ricky Martin chose it for one of his twin boys.
- Luciano
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of LucianMeaning:
"light"Description:
A vibrant, operatic choice with plenty of flair and plenty of familiarity too. Popular in Italy, Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil, it also ranks in the Top 500 in France and the US. Operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti and football manager Luciano Spalletti are two notable bearers
- Carlo
Origin:
Italian variation of CharlesDescription:
Energetic Italian classic that would blend with a surname of any ethnicity.
- Dario
Origin:
Italian variation of DariusMeaning:
"possessing goodness"Description:
More creative and artsy than Mario. Dario is starting to edge up the US popularity list after languishing near the bottom of the Top 1000 over the last four decades. Is that inspired by Dario's popularity in Italy, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland?
- Renzo
Origin:
Diminutive of LorenzoDescription:
Rakish nickname able to stand on its own.
- Ciro
Origin:
Italian variation of CyrusDescription:
This name of an old Hollywood nightclub still retains a spark of glamour.
- Marcello
Origin:
Italian and SpanishMeaning:
"young warrior"Description:
Based on the ancient name Marcellus, drawn from Mars the god of war, Marcello -- it's pronounced mar-chell-o -- is one of the most lush and attractive Latin names.
- Zacheo
Origin:
Italian variation of ZacharyDescription:
Zacheo is an Italian last name that is occasionally seen as a first name. Also used in Brazil (where it can be pronounced Za-shey-o), it could prove a little-known (to English speakers) alternative to Zachary.
- Massimo
Origin:
Italian variation of MaximusMeaning:
"the greatest"Description:
Massimo is a Latin charmer and while it might feel like a big name for a baby (or anyone, really), it has a touch of gentleness about it too, owing to the S sounds. A charismatic member of the Maximus/Magnus family, Massimo means "greatest" and has been a enduring favorite in Italy, where it has remained in the Top 100 over the last two decades
- Elia
Origin:
Italian variation of Elijah, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah is God"Description:
A multicultural appellation, found in Hebrew, Italian, and Zuni, this likable name made famous by director Elia Kazan's only problem is the feminine a ending. But then again, that never hurt Joshua.
- Vigo
Origin:
Italian surnameMeaning:
"settlement"Description:
Vigo is both an Italian and Spanish surname and a Scandinavian first name. As a place name, it's found in Spain, Italy, England – and Indiana.
- Vincenzo
Origin:
Italian variation of VincentMeaning:
"conquering"Description:
This classic yet poetic Italian name for boys, is a Top 50 choice in its native Italy, and has been climbing up the charts in the US and the UK too. It had sporadically made the US charts throughout the 20th century, but it has been consistently present since 2009.
- Cosimo
Origin:
Italian variation of CosmoMeaning:
"order, beauty, universe"Description:
Dramatic and worldly, Cosimo was chosen by singer Beck and his wife, Marissa Ribisi, for their son. Now that Cosima has emerged as a starbaby favorite, twin brother Cosimo could join her.
- Francesco
Origin:
Italian variation of FrancisDescription:
Thanks to the inspiration of Pope Francis, Francesco has galloped to the front of the line to become the Number One boys' name in Italy. As Francesca has become a familiar and popular form of the name for girls in the wider world, so does the handsome Francesco have that potential for boys.
- Brio
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"vivacity, zest"Description:
Musical term with a lot of energy.
- Nicolo
Origin:
Italian form of NicholasMeaning:
"people of victory"Description:
Nicolo is a more lively variation of Nicholas and one of the most attractive Italian names for boys. A name with a long, distinguished Italian history of its own, it also boasts the charming nickname Nico.