Italian Names
- Brando
Origin:
Italian variation of BrandMeaning:
"firebrand, sword"Description:
Screen legend Marlon's surname has loads more swagger than his first. But little Brando will forever have to endure jokes connected with the actor.
- Bruna
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"brown"Description:
Possibility for a dark-haired babe.
- Carina
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"dear little one"Description:
Carina is a pretty delicately feminine name whose fall from popularity is not helped by its similarity to hurricane name Katrina or slang victim Karen.
- Caterina
Origin:
Italian variation of KatherineDescription:
If your ancestry is Italian, you may want to consider this elegant twist on a classic.
- Chiara
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"light, clear"Description:
Chiara is a lovely and romantic Italian name that's familiar but not widely used here: a real winner. You might consider Chiara instead of Claire, Clara, Cara, or even Keira.
- Clemente
Origin:
Spanish, Portuguese, ItalianMeaning:
"mild, merciful"Description:
A more romantic form of old school Clement, which ranks in the Top 100 boy names in Chile. Clemente, like Clement, derives from the Late Latin name Clemens, the name of 14 popes and several saints.
- Corrado
Origin:
Italian variation of ConradDescription:
A Latinate name with a lot of dash and bravado.
- 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?
- Donatella
Origin:
Italian, feminine diminutive of DonatoDescription:
Stylish and dramatic, a la Donatella Versace.
- Donato
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"given by God"Description:
Widely used in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, has an air of generosity and could easily be adopted here.
- Elettra
Origin:
Italian variation of Latin ElectraMeaning:
"shining, bright"Description:
Less electric and melodramatic, more serene, than Electra. Isabella Rossellini's daughter (and Ingrid Bernman's granddaughter) is named Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann.
- Enzo
Origin:
Italian variation of Henry, also diminutive of Vincenzo and LorenzoDescription:
You may be surprised to know that Enzo is now a Top 100 boy name in the US and the UK, where it has been climbing straight uphill since the turn of this century.
- Ettore
Origin:
Italian variation of HectorMeaning:
"holds fast"Description:
Has a lot more charm than the ancient Hector.
- Fabiana
Origin:
Italian and Spanish feminine variation of FabianMeaning:
"bean grower"Description:
The fashion for elaborate girly-girl names, especially those that end with -ella or -ana, has put this distinctive Latin favorite into play.
- Fabrizio
Origin:
Italian form of the Latin family name FabriciusMeaning:
"craftsman"Description:
Romantic Italian choice.
- Flavio
Origin:
Italian, Spanish variation of Flavius, LatinMeaning:
"yellow, blond"Description:
Flavio is derived from Flavius, a surname used in Ancient Rome. These family names, or cognomens, were given to distinguish branches of the clan and were chosen based on a characteristic of an important bearer. In this case, the Flavius family patriarch was likely blond-haired.
- Gaetano
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"from the city of Gaeta"Description:
The progenitor of the English name Guy, Gaetano has a lot more gusto.
- Gianna
Origin:
Italian, diminutive of Giovanna or feminization of Gianni, forms of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
The Italian Gianna undoubtedly owes much of its popularity in the US to its status as an honor name for John. Before the importation of Gianna, there was no truly workable feminine form of John, so Gianna found widespread favor among American parents with Italian roots and far beyond.
- Giotto
Origin:
Italian variation of Godfrey or GeoffreyMeaning:
"pledge of peace"Description:
This appealing Italian name is associated with the great Florentine painter and architect Giotto di Bondone, a major force in the Italian Renaissance.
- Giovanna
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of GiovanniDescription:
Like Galilea and Livia, one of the Italian names that fashionable American parents—with or without Italian roots—have started to choose for their daughters. It has endured ups and downs since entering the popularity charts in 1991.