"When I think of Italy, I picture Renaissance artwork, historic architecture, delicious cuisine, and trendsetting fashion. Italy evokes beauty and a more relaxed pace of life—la dolce vita. And it’s no secret people are drawn to the country and the culture, whether they have Italian ancestry or not—including when looking for Italian baby name ispirazione.
In fact, according to an analysis conducted by Italian language learning platform Preply, U.S. searches for “Italian baby names” increased by 22 percent since last year, and many of America’s top baby names have Italian roots. Plus, not only are Italian baby names beautiful, but many also have desirable meanings like strength, loyalty, and light. Italian-inspired names are a baby name trend that’s likely to continue into 2025 and beyond.
What to Know About Italian Baby Names
For those unfamiliar, Italian male names often end in -o or -e, and female names often end in -a, meaning the base version of a name can be made masculine or feminine—for example, Antonio and Antonia. This can be a great solution for those that want to use an Italian name but are unsure of the baby’s sex. An ending of -ina /-ino, -etto/-etta, or -ello/-ella turns a name into its affectionate diminutive form.
Most Popular Boy Names With Italian Origins
Preply’s analysis of cultural origin and name meaning showed that these are the top boy names with Italian origin used in America:
Mateo (#6 U.S. name popularity)
Officially, the most popular Italian boy’s name in the U.S., Mateo means “gift of God.” While this name has strong connections to Italian culture, it also shares links to the Spanish and Hebrew languages.
Sebastian (#13 U.S. name popularity)
While Sebastian has Greek and Latin roots, the Italian version, Sebastiano, is where this classic name gets its cultural link to Italy. Meaning “venerable” or “revered,” Sebastian comes from the name Sebaste.
Leo/Leonardo (#18/84 U.S. name popularity)
Short, strong, and effortlessly cool, Leo is often a nickname for the most popular boy name in Italy, Leonardo. Meaning “brave lion,” this name is shared with Renaissance figure Leonardo da Vinci and, of course, American actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
Luca (#24 U.S. name popularity)
Luca means “bringer of light,” which your little boy is sure to do. Disney/Pixar fans may also remember Luca as the titular character from the 2021 animated film. Rooted in Latin, it’s tied to the ancient region of Luciana in southern Italy.
Julian (#33 U.S. name popularity)
Julian means “youthful” or “downy,” and with ancient roots, this Italian name will never go out of style.
Angel (#63 U.S. name popularity)
Meaning “messenger” or the literal meaning “angel,” this name fits any new little blessing.
Roman (#66 U.S. name popularity)
Meaning “from Rome,” this name couldn’t be more Italian.
Adrian (#67 U.S. name popularity)
Meaning “rich,” this Italian boy’s name could be a fortuitous name to bestow upon a new little guy.
Enzo (#90 U.S. name popularity)
A name befitting a newborn who becomes the center of your world, Enzo means “home ruler.”
More Italian-Inspired Baby Boy Names and Their Meanings
- Aldo: This name is perfect if your firstborn is a boy since it means “elder.”
- Alessio: Meaning “defender of man,” this name gives your newborn a strong start in life.
- Alonzo: A fierce and memorable name meaning “ready for battle.”
- Carlo: For your new little guy, this name means “free man.”
- Dante: This strong name means “enduring,” so what could be a better fit for the new love in your life? One of the most well-known Italian poets is also Dante Alighieri.
- Dario: A classic name meaning “possessing goodness.”
- Elio: Elio has a light and airy feel and means “the sun.”
- Ettore: Unique and lovely, this name means “loyal.”
- Ezio: This nature-inspired name means “eagle.”
- Gianni: Short for Giovanni and the Italian version of Johnny, this classic Italian name is shared with designer Gianni Versace and means “God is gracious.”
- Marco: This fierce name means “warlike” and is shared with Italian figures Marco Polo and Marco Ricci.
- Mariano: This handsome moniker means “related to the god Mars.” Mars is the Roman god of war, and the month of March is named after him.
- Nico: Simple and strong, this Italian name means “people of victory” and also has Greek roots.
- Rocco: This effortlessly cool name comes from the German word for “rest” and is shared with Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s son.
- Romeo: This memorable name literally means “from Rome” and is known from William Shakespeare’s tragedy about young Italian lovers. It’s also a celebrity baby name thanks to David and Victoria Beckham’s middle son.
- Sante: Light and airy, this name means “holy” and is rooted in the Latin word “Sanctus.”
- Teo: Sweet and fitting, this short name means “Gift of God.”
The Most Popular Girl Names With Italian Origins
Three of the 10 most popular baby girl names in the U.S. are of Italian origin, according to Preply’s analysis:
Mia (#6 U.S. name popularity)
Officially, the most popular Italian girl’s name in the U.S., Mia is a modern favorite among parents. Meaning “mine” in Italian, it’s often considered a diminutive of Maria, a classic Italian name.
Isabella (#7 U.S. name popularity)
If you’re seeking a royal name with endless possibilities for adorable nicknames, Isabella is an ideal choice. The seventh most popular girl’s name in the U.S., Isabella is the Italian form of Isabel, has Hebrew roots, and means “My God is abundance” or “Devoted to God.”
Luna (#10 U.S. name popularity)
Luna continues to work its way up the popular baby name charts, now ranking as the 10th most popular girl’s name in America. It’s also common in Italy and means “moon.”
Sofia (#12 U.S. name popularity)
Sofia comes directly from the Greek word for “wisdom.” While this spelling ranks 12th in the U.S., the spelling Sophia is even more popular in America at number six. Yet Sofia has remained the top girl name in Italy since 2010, according to Istat data.
Gianna (#21 U.S. name popularity)
Gianna is the shortened form of Giovanna, which is the Italian equivalent of Joanna or Jane. It’s also considered the feminine version of the Hebrew name John and means “God is gracious.”
Aurora (#22 U.S. name popularity)
A celestial name meaning “dawn,” this name invokes the tranquility of the morning light and the fresh feeling of a new day. The Roman god of dawn is Aurora.
Aria (#24 U.S. name popularity)
In Italian, Aria means “air” or a solo vocal piece in the context of an Italian opera. The name also has various meanings in Hebrew, Greek, and Persian.
Emilia (#42 U.S. name popularity)
The Italian version of “Emily,” Emilia has Latin roots and means “rival,” a perfect pick for a strong little girl.
Elena (#47 U.S. name popularity)
Meaning “shining light” or “bright one,” this luminous name is shared with Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Elena Kagan.
More Italian-Inspired Baby Girl Names and Their Meanings
- Alessandra: This name means “defender” or “protector.”
- Alessia: A similar meaning to Alessandra but shorter.
- Amara: A sweet name meaning “everlasting.”
- Bria: With a name meaning “noble,” your little one will have a built-in moral compass.
- Camilla: This spirited name has ties to ancient Rome. And according to the experts at Nameberry, “In Roman myth, Camilla was a swift-footed huntress so fast she could run over a field without bending a blade of grass.”
- Carina: This delicate name means “dear” and “pure” and is the diminutive for the name Cara.
- Chiara: The perfect unique Italian girl name for a budding bright light, Chiara means “luminous.”
- Gabriella: This elegant and timeless name means “God is my strength.”
- Gemma: Gemma means “precious stone.”
- Giorgia: A strong and notable moniker meaning “farmer,” this nature-inspired name captures the spirit of growth.
- Leandra: The feminine form of Leander, meaning “lion man,” this name is majestic and bold like the animal it honors.
- Luciana: This pretty name means “light,” signifying what your new baby will bring to your life.
- Marella: Meaning “shining sea,” this name fits those who feel most at home near the water.
- Matilde: Means “strength” and is one of the most popular girl names in Italy.
- Natalia: Have a December due date? Natalia comes from the Latin word natale domini, which means Christmas Day.
- Nicola: A strong Italian girl’s name meaning “victory of the people.”
- Serafina: This Italian girl’s name means “fiery,” the right fit for your bold little one.
- Sienna: This name means “orange-red” and is shared with the beautiful Tuscan city of Siena.
- Viviana: Meaning “lively,” this name sets your little girl up to live life to the fullest. Viviana is also a unique name alternative for today’s popular baby girl names, Olivia and Vivian.
Brigette Marshall, Contributing Writer
Brigette is a mom of two little girls and works full-time in project management, both at home and in the office. She loves book clubbing, antique shopping, watching documentaries, and convincing her husband to cook gourmet meals for her.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
Kathy Sisson has been a key contributor in the editorial parenting space for eight years, not only as a full-time editor at The Everymom but previously as a freelance writer for top parenting sites, including Scary Mommy, Motherly, Parent Co., and more. As an editor at The Everymom, she has produced hundreds of articles on a range of parenting topics, reviewed dozens of family-focused products, interviewed leading experts in the children and parenting world, and created viral parenting social media content. A mom of two, she is committed to sharing the honest, helpful, and often humorous stories of motherhood.