There’s something effortlessly beautiful about Italian baby names with meanings, don’t you think? They feel lyrical and beautiful and let’s be real, they are really fun to say. (Geticulation oftentimes feels required.) Italian names are romantic, yet grounded; traditional, but still fashionable. Basically, they’re the best of both worlds — just like a good pasta dish.
Who Would Like Italian Baby Names?
Well… probably anyone who loves a little melody in their baby’s name. Italian names have this warm, musical quality that makes them feel instantly lovable. Even the shorter ones — like Nico or Lia — feel soft and sing-songy.
I feel like Italian names just put stronger enunciation on a lot of the syllabels that gives them a unique sound and it’s very easy to tell they are Italian. If you’re drawn to names that feel romantic, elegant, or even a little dramatic (in the best way), you’ll find a ton to love in this list.
And it’s not just about sound. Italian baby names often come with really meaningful origins, so I’m making sure to break down all the meanings as well. Many have ties to religion, especially Catholicism, and carry messages of strength, light, grace, or peace.
Also, Italian names tend to age really well. Francesca sounds just as lovely on a little girl as it does on a grown woman. Marco or Giovanni? Totally baby-appropriate but also strong and timeless for adulthood. The longer Italian names also have a lot of cute nick-name variations. Like Gio, Mark, and Franny.
So if you’re drawn to beauty, heritage, and meaning — this list of Italian baby names is just for you. I’ve broken them down into girl names, boy names, and gender-neutral names, all with their meanings, to make it easy to find the perfect one.
Italian Girl Names
- Alessia — defending warrior.
- Aria — air or melody.
- Bianca — white, pure.
- Camila — attendant at a religious ceremony.
- Chiara — bright, clear.
- Delfina — dolphin.
- Donatella — given by God.
- Elena — bright, shining light.
- Elisa — God is my oath.
- Emilia — rival or industrious.
- Fiorella — little flower.
- Francesca — from France or free one.
- Ginevra — white shadow or fair.
- Giulia — youthful.
- Ilaria — cheerful, happy.
- Isabella — God is my oath.
- Laura — laurel, honor, victory.
- Livia — blue or envious.
- Lucia — light.
- Luna — moon.
- Maddalena — from Magdala.
- Marcella — warlike.
- Maria — beloved or bitter.
- Mariella — little Mary.
- Mattea — gift of God.
- Noemi — pleasantness.
- Ornella — flowering ash tree.
- Paola — small or humble.
- Renata — reborn.
- Rosa — rose.
- Rosalia — rose garland.
- Sabrina — legendary princess.
- Serena — tranquil, serene.
- Silvia — from the forest.
- Simona — listener.
- Sofia — wisdom.
- Stella — star.
- Susanna — lily.
- Tatiana — fairy queen or princess.
- Tiziana — honorable.
- Valentina — strong, healthy.
- Vera — true.
- Veronica — she who brings victory.
- Vincenza — conquering.
- Viola — violet flower.
- Vittoria — victory.
- Zita — little girl or saint.
- Carlotta — free woman.
- Angela — angel or messenger.
- Gabriella — God is my strength.
- Allegra — joyful, lively.
- Luciana — light.
- Elettra — shining, radiant.
- Beatrice — she who brings happiness.
- Arianna — most holy.
- Fiore — flower.
- Caterina — pure.
- Gemma — precious stone.
- Mirella — to admire.
- Bruna — brown-haired.
Italian Boy Names
- Alessandro — defender of mankind.
- Andrea — manly, brave.
- Antonio — priceless, inestimable.
- Bruno — brown-haired.
- Carlo — free man.
- Cesare — long-haired, emperor.
- Dante — enduring.
- Davide — beloved.
- Domenico — of the Lord.
- Edoardo — wealthy guardian.
- Elio — sun.
- Emilio — rival or eager.
- Enzo — ruler of the house.
- Ettore — loyal, steadfast.
- Fabio — bean grower.
- Fabrizio — craftsman.
- Federico — peaceful ruler.
- Filippo — lover of horses.
- Francesco — Frenchman or free man.
- Gabriele — God is my strength.
- Gennaro — January-born.
- Giacomo — supplanter.
- Giorgio — farmer, earthworker.
- Giovanni — God is gracious.
- Giulio — youthful.
- Giuseppe — God will add.
- Guido — guide or leader.
- Ignazio — fiery one.
- Leonardo — brave lion.
- Lorenzo — from Laurentum.
- Luca — bringer of light.
- Luigi — famous warrior.
- Marcello — little warrior.
- Marco — warlike.
- Mario — male, virile.
- Matteo — gift of God.
- Maurizio — dark-skinned.
- Michele — who is like God?.
- Niccolò — victory of the people.
- Nico — people’s victory.
- Orlando — famous throughout the land.
- Paolo — small or humble.
- Pasquale — born at Easter.
- Pietro — rock.
- Raffaele — God has healed.
- Renato — reborn.
- Riccardo — brave ruler.
- Roberto — bright fame.
- Romano — from Rome.
- Salvatore — savior.
- Sandro — defender of men.
- Sebastiano — venerable.
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. Sergio — attendant, servant.
54. Simone — he has heard.
55. Stefano — crowned.
56. Tommaso — twin.
57. Umberto — bright warrior.
58. Valentino — strong, healthy.
59. Vincenzo — conquering.
60. Zeno — gift of Zeus.
Gender-Neutral Italian Baby Names
- Luca — light or bringer of light.
- Nico — victory of the people.
- Andrea — manly (used as a boy’s name in Italy but gender-neutral elsewhere).
- Elia — God is my God.
- Ari — lion or eagle.
- Gio — short for Giovanni or Giovana, means “God is gracious”.
- Sandro — short for Alessandro or Alessandra.
- Teo — gift of God.
- Ale — short for Alessandro or Alessia.
- Michele — who is like God?.
- Fiore — flower.
- Toni — priceless or worthy of praise.
- Rafa — God has healed.
- Leo — lion.
- Simi — listener.
- Vale — short for Valentina or Valentino.
- Lauri — laurel.
- Gale — cheerful.
- Neri — black, dark-haired.
- Remi — oarsman.
- Gili — joy or eternal youth.
- Vivi — alive, lively.
- Matti — gift of God.
- Tavi — good or beloved.
- Fede — short for Federico or Federica, means “faith”.
- Zani — God is gracious.
- Eli — ascended or high.
- Gili — joy.
- Pace — peace.
- Zuri — beautiful.