300+ Italian Names for Boys (with Rich Meanings)

Italian names for boys have captured the hearts of parents worldwide, and honestly, I can see why.

Picture this: I was sitting in a charming café in Florence last spring, sipping my morning cappuccino when I heard a nonna calling out “Giovanni! Matteo!” to her grandsons playing in the cobblestone piazza.

The way those names rolled off her tongue – with such warmth, history, and musical quality – it hit me how these names carry centuries of passion, artistry, and family tradition in just a few beautiful syllables.

Whether you’re honoring your Italian roots, captivated by the romance of these melodic names, or simply seeking something with deeper cultural significance, you’ve come to the right place.

Trust me, after diving deep into Italian naming traditions and meanings, I’m excited to share 300+ stunning Italian boy names that range from timeless classics to modern favorites, each with its own story to tell.

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Timeless Italian Classics

These are the names that have graced Italian families for centuries, carrying the weight of history and the promise of tradition. Each one tells a story of noble heritage and enduring appeal.

Lorenzo – Latin origin meaning “from Laurentum,” evokes Renaissance nobility and artistic passion
Giovanni – Italian form of John, meaning “God is gracious,” beloved across all generations
Alessandro – Greek origin meaning “defender of mankind,” strong and undeniably regal

Francesco – Latin meaning “Frenchman,” connected to Saint Francis of Assisi
Antonio – Roman origin meaning “priceless,” classic sophistication at its finest
Giuseppe – Italian form of Joseph, meaning “God will add,” deeply traditional

Marco – Latin meaning “warlike,” strong and internationally appealing
Andrea – Greek origin meaning “manly,” surprisingly masculine in Italian culture
Matteo – Hebrew meaning “gift of God,” gentle yet strong

Stefano – Greek meaning “crown,” royal and distinguished
Roberto – Germanic meaning “bright fame,” timeless and strong
Paolo – Latin meaning “small,” humble yet powerful

Luca – Latin meaning “bringer of light,” luminous and modern-feeling
Davide – Hebrew meaning “beloved,” the Italian David with extra flair
Niccolò – Greek meaning “victory of the people,” sophisticated and unique

Riccardo – Germanic meaning “brave ruler,” strong leadership qualities
Vincenzo – Latin meaning “conquering,” victorious and determined
Fabio – Latin meaning “bean grower,” surprisingly noble-sounding

Claudio – Latin meaning “lame,” but historically prestigious
Emilio – Latin meaning “rival,” competitive spirit
Enrico – Germanic meaning “home ruler,” domestic strength

Bruno – Germanic meaning “brown,” earthy and solid
Angelo – Greek meaning “messenger,” angelic and pure
Sergio – Latin meaning “servant,” humble service

Mario – Latin meaning “warlike,” classic gaming association
Giulio – Latin meaning “youthful,” eternally young spirit
Aldo – Germanic meaning “old,” vintage charm

Vito – Latin meaning “life,” vibrant and energetic
Rocco – Germanic meaning “rest,” peaceful strength
Salvatore – Latin meaning “savior,” protective and strong

Massimo – Latin meaning “greatest,” superlative excellence
Primo – Latin meaning “first,” leadership qualities
Secondo – Latin meaning “second,” humble position

Terzo – Latin meaning “third,” unique numerical name
Ottavio – Latin meaning “eighth,” noble Roman heritage
Augusto – Latin meaning “venerable,” imperial dignity

Cesare – Latin meaning “head of hair,” imperial connection
Dante – Latin meaning “enduring,” literary immortality
Enzo – Germanic meaning “home ruler,” modern shortened form

Fausto – Latin meaning “fortunate,” blessed and lucky
Gino – Italian diminutive meaning “noble,” endearing and strong
Hugo – Germanic meaning “mind,” intellectual strength

Ivo – Germanic meaning “yew wood,” nature connection
Leandro – Greek meaning “lion man,” fierce and brave
Marcello – Latin meaning “young warrior,” youthful strength

Nino – Italian diminutive, endearing and familiar
Orlando – Germanic meaning “famous land,” heroic associations
Pietro – Latin meaning “rock,” solid and dependable

Sandro – Greek meaning “defender of men,” protective nature
Umberto – Germanic meaning “bright warrior,” luminous strength

Regional Italian Treasures

Italy’s diverse regions each bring their own naming flavors, from the Alpine north to the sun-soaked south. Here’s where geography meets beautiful tradition.

Northern Italian Favorites (Lombardy, Veneto, Piedmont)

Adriano – Latin meaning “from Hadria,” northern coastal heritage
Battista – Greek meaning “baptist,” religious significance
Corrado – Germanic meaning “brave counselor,” wise leadership

Dario – Persian meaning “rich,” prosperity and wealth
Edoardo – Germanic meaning “wealthy guardian,” protective prosperity
Federico – Germanic meaning “peaceful ruler,” balanced leadership

Giacomo – Hebrew meaning “supplanter,” Italian James
Lamberto – Germanic meaning “land bright,” territorial pride
Maurizio – Latin meaning “dark-skinned,” exotic appeal

Osvaldo – Germanic meaning “divine power,” spiritual strength
Renzo – Germanic meaning “counselor,” wise advisor
Silvano – Latin meaning “from the forest,” nature-loving

Teodoro – Greek meaning “gift of God,” divine blessing
Valentino – Latin meaning “strong,” romantic associations
Zeno – Greek meaning “gift of Zeus,” divine favor

Central Italian Gems (Tuscany, Lazio, Umbria)

Amerigo – Germanic meaning “work ruler,” exploratory spirit
Benedetto – Latin meaning “blessed,” spiritual grace
Cosimo – Greek meaning “order,” harmonious nature

Dante – Latin meaning “enduring,” poetic immortality
Ettore – Greek meaning “holding fast,” determined spirit
Filippo – Greek meaning “lover of horses,” noble pursuits

Gaetano – Latin meaning “from Gaeta,” regional pride
Ignazio – Latin meaning “fiery,” passionate nature
Leone – Latin meaning “lion,” brave and strong

Michelangelo – Hebrew meaning “who is like God,” artistic genius
Orazio – Latin meaning “timekeeper,” punctual and reliable
Raffaele – Hebrew meaning “God heals,” divine healing

Simone – Hebrew meaning “hearing,” attentive listener
Tommaso – Aramaic meaning “twin,” companionship
Valerio – Latin meaning “strong,” inner strength

Southern Italian Beauties (Sicily, Calabria, Campania)

Calogero – Greek meaning “beautiful old age,” wisdom honored
Carmelo – Hebrew meaning “garden,” fertile and beautiful
Domenico – Latin meaning “belonging to the Lord,” religious devotion

Fortunato – Latin meaning “fortunate,” blessed with luck
Gennaro – Latin meaning “January,” winter birth
Pasquale – Hebrew meaning “Easter,” spring celebration

Rosario – Latin meaning “rosary,” deep faith
Salvatore – Latin meaning “savior,” protective nature
Vincenzo – Latin meaning “conquering,” victorious spirit

Antonino – Latin meaning “priceless,” diminutive of Antonio
Calogero – Greek meaning “beautiful elder,” respected age
Emanuele – Hebrew meaning “God is with us,” divine presence

Gaetano – Latin meaning “from Gaeta,” coastal heritage
Liborio – Latin meaning “free,” independent spirit
Nunzio – Latin meaning “messenger,” communicative nature

Placido – Latin meaning “peaceful,” calm disposition
Ruggero – Germanic meaning “famous spear,” warrior heritage
Sebastiano – Greek meaning “venerable,” honored respect

Tancredi – Germanic meaning “thought counsel,” wise advisor
Valerio – Latin meaning “to be strong,” inner fortitude

Explore more regional inspiration with Italian boat names for maritime heritage.

Modern Italian Favorites

These contemporary choices reflect Italy’s evolving naming trends while maintaining that unmistakable Italian charm. They’re perfect for parents seeking something fresh yet rooted in tradition.

Achille – Greek meaning “pain,” heroic associations
Brando – Germanic meaning “sword,” edgy and modern

Cristiano – Latin meaning “Christian,” religious faith
Diego – Spanish meaning “supplanter,” international appeal
Edoardo – Germanic meaning “wealthy guardian,” protective nature

Flavio – Latin meaning “yellow-haired,” golden associations
Gabriel – Hebrew meaning “God is my strength,” angelic protection
Ivan – Russian meaning “God is gracious,” Slavic influence

Kevin – Irish meaning “gentle birth,” international popularity
Lorenzo – Latin meaning “from Laurentum,” consistently popular
Manuel – Hebrew meaning “God is with us,” Spanish influence

Nathan – Hebrew meaning “gift,” simple elegance
Omar – Arabic meaning “flourishing,” multicultural appeal
Patrick – Latin meaning “nobleman,” Irish influence

Riccardo – Germanic meaning “brave ruler,” updated classic
Samuel – Hebrew meaning “heard by God,” biblical strength
Thomas – Aramaic meaning “twin,” international familiarity

Victor – Latin meaning “conqueror,” triumphant spirit
William – Germanic meaning “resolute protector,” global appeal
Xavier – Arabic meaning “bright,” luminous quality

Yuri – Russian meaning “farmer,” earthy connection
Zaccaria – Hebrew meaning “remembered by God,” divine memory
Alex – Greek meaning “defender,” shortened modern form

Bruno – Germanic meaning “brown,” earthy simplicity
Carlo – Germanic meaning “free man,” independent spirit
Dino – Italian diminutive meaning “little sword,” cute yet strong

Elia – Hebrew meaning “my God is Yahweh,” spiritual depth
Franco – Latin meaning “free,” liberation spirit
Gian – Hebrew meaning “God is gracious,” shortened elegance

Hugo – Germanic meaning “mind,” intellectual appeal
Ian – Scottish meaning “God is gracious,” international charm
Jacopo – Hebrew meaning “supplanter,” Italian Jacob

Kai – Hawaiian meaning “ocean,” natural element
Leo – Latin meaning “lion,” strong and simple
Max – Latin meaning “greatest,” powerful brevity

Noah – Hebrew meaning “rest,” peaceful nature
Oscar – Irish meaning “deer friend,” nature connection
Pablo – Latin meaning “small,” artistic associations

Raul – Germanic meaning “wolf counsel,” wild wisdom
Sofia – Greek meaning “wisdom,” unisex appeal
Teo – Greek meaning “gift of God,” divine present

Uri – Hebrew meaning “my light,” illuminating presence
Vasco – Basque meaning “crow,” unique bird connection
Walter – Germanic meaning “powerful warrior,” vintage revival

Yannick – Hebrew meaning “God is gracious,” French influence
Zeno – Greek meaning “gift of Zeus,” mythological heritage
Alessio – Greek meaning “defender,” protective nature

Biagio – Latin meaning “stutterer,” overcome challenges
Ciro – Persian meaning “sun,” radiant energy
Dario – Persian meaning “rich,” abundant blessings

Saints and Historical Heroes

Italian culture deeply honors saints and historical figures. These names carry spiritual significance and heroic associations that resonate through generations.

Ambrogio – Greek meaning “immortal,” patron saint of Milan
Bernardo – Germanic meaning “brave bear,” monastic tradition
Celestino – Latin meaning “heavenly,” papal heritage
Donato – Latin meaning “given,” gift from God
Erasmo – Greek meaning “beloved,” scholarly saint
Fabrizio – Latin meaning “craftsman,” skilled artisan
Gregorio – Greek meaning “watchful,” papal name
Isidoro – Greek meaning “gift of Isis,” ancient wisdom
Lorenzo – Latin meaning “from Laurentum,” martyred saint
Martino – Latin meaning “warlike,” soldier saint
Nicola – Greek meaning “victory of the people,” Santa connection
Onofrio – Germanic meaning “peaceful warrior,” hermit saint
Pio – Latin meaning “pious,” papal tradition
Quirico – Greek meaning “lordly,” child martyr
Romano – Latin meaning “Roman,” citizenship pride
Silvestro – Latin meaning “from the forest,” New Year pope
Teodoro – Greek meaning “gift of God,” divine blessing
Ubaldo – Germanic meaning “bold mind,” bishop saint
Valentino – Latin meaning “strong,” patron of lovers
Zeno – Greek meaning “gift of Zeus,” bishop saint
Agostino – Latin meaning “venerable,” great theologian
Bonaventura – Latin meaning “good fortune,” Franciscan saint
Carlo – Germanic meaning “free man,” saint and emperor
Damiano – Greek meaning “to tame,” healing saint
Egidio – Greek meaning “young goat,” hermit saint
Ferdinando – Germanic meaning “bold journey,” royal heritage
Gioacchino – Hebrew meaning “God will establish,” Mary’s father
Innocenzo – Latin meaning “innocent,” papal name
Leonardo – Germanic meaning “brave lion,” genius artist
Massimiliano – Latin meaning “greatest,” imperial heritage
Nazario – Hebrew meaning “consecrated to God,” martyr saint
Oronzo – Greek meaning “mountain,” patron of Lecce
Pancrazio – Greek meaning “all powerful,” young martyr
Quirino – Latin meaning “spear,” Roman deity
Rocco – Germanic meaning “rest,” plague saint
Saverio – Arabic meaning “bright,” missionary saint
Tiziano – Latin meaning “of Titus,” great painter
Urbano – Latin meaning “of the city,” papal heritage
Vittorio – Latin meaning “conqueror,” royal name
Zaccaria – Hebrew meaning “remembered by God,” priest prophet
Alfonso – Germanic meaning “noble ready,” royal heritage
Bartolomeo – Aramaic meaning “son of Tolmai,” apostle name
Camillo – Latin meaning “young ceremonial attendant,” saint
Domenico – Latin meaning “belonging to the Lord,” Dominican founder
Eugenio – Greek meaning “well-born,” noble heritage
Filiberto – Germanic meaning “very bright,” monastic saint
Gerlando – Germanic meaning “spear land,” Sicilian bishop
Ippolito – Greek meaning “horse loosener,” martyr saint
Luigi – Germanic meaning “famous warrior,” royal saint
Massimo – Latin meaning “greatest,” martyr saint

Connect with spiritual traditions through our Christian group team names collection.

Nature and Virtue-Inspired Names

Italy’s stunning landscapes and strong moral traditions inspire these beautiful names that connect children to the natural world and noble characteristics.

Alba – Latin meaning “dawn,” new beginnings
Basilio – Greek meaning “kingly,” royal nature
Clemente – Latin meaning “merciful,” compassionate spirit
Delfino – Greek meaning “dolphin,” marine connection
Emilio – Latin meaning “rival,” competitive virtue
Fiore – Italian meaning “flower,” natural beauty
Gelsomino – Persian meaning “jasmine,” fragrant bloom
Iris – Greek meaning “rainbow,” colorful promise
Leone – Latin meaning “lion,” courageous beast
Monte – Latin meaning “mountain,” elevated strength
Nilo – Greek meaning “river,” flowing water
Orso – Latin meaning “bear,” powerful animal
Pacifico – Latin meaning “peaceful,” calm nature
Querino – Latin meaning “oak,” strong tree
Rivo – Latin meaning “stream,” gentle water
Sole – Italian meaning “sun,” radiant energy
Torriano – Latin meaning “tower,” strong structure
Ugo – Germanic meaning “mind,” intellectual strength
Verde – Italian meaning “green,” natural color
Zefiro – Greek meaning “west wind,” gentle breeze
Agapito – Greek meaning “beloved,” cherished love
Benigno – Latin meaning “kind,” gentle nature
Concordio – Latin meaning “harmony,” peaceful unity
Dolce – Italian meaning “sweet,” pleasant disposition
Felice – Latin meaning “happy,” joyful spirit
Giocondo – Latin meaning “joyful,” cheerful nature
Ilario – Latin meaning “cheerful,” happy disposition
Letizia – Latin meaning “joy,” feminine happiness
Modesto – Latin meaning “modest,” humble virtue
Patrizio – Latin meaning “noble,” aristocratic bearing
Retto – Latin meaning “right,” moral correctness
Sereno – Latin meaning “calm,” peaceful demeanor
Tranquillo – Latin meaning “tranquil,” quiet peace
Valentino – Latin meaning “brave,” courageous heart
Vigilio – Latin meaning “watchful,” alert guardian
Zenone – Greek meaning “gift of Zeus,” divine present
Aristide – Greek meaning “best,” excellent virtue
Bono – Latin meaning “good,” simple virtue
Costante – Latin meaning “constant,” reliable nature
Fedele – Latin meaning “faithful,” loyal heart
Giusto – Latin meaning “just,” righteous character
Liberato – Latin meaning “freed,” liberation spirit
Paride – Greek meaning “wager,” mythological hero
Retto – Latin meaning “upright,” moral standing
Verace – Italian meaning “true,” honest nature
Candido – Latin meaning “white,” pure innocence
Fermo – Latin meaning “firm,” steadfast resolve
Probo – Latin meaning “upright,” honest integrity
Severo – Latin meaning “severe,” disciplined nature
Pio – Latin meaning “devout,” religious dedication

Literary and Artistic Inspirations

Italy’s rich artistic heritage provides endless inspiration for names that carry cultural weight and creative energy.

Dante – Latin meaning “enduring,” immortal poet
Petrarca – Italian meaning “rock,” sonnet master
Boccaccio – Italian meaning “big mouth,” storyteller
Ariosto – Italian meaning “best,” epic poet
Tasso – Italian meaning “badger,” Jerusalem Delivered
Leopardi – Germanic meaning “brave leopard,” romantic poet
Manzoni – Italian meaning “from Manzi,” novelist
Verdi – Italian meaning “green,” operatic composer
Puccini – Italian meaning “little,” opera master
Rossini – Italian meaning “red,” Barber of Seville
Vivaldi – Italian meaning “lively,” Four Seasons composer
Monteverdi – Italian meaning “green mountain,” baroque master
Pergolesi – Italian meaning “from Pergola,” composer
Palestrina – Italian meaning “from Palestine,” sacred music
Corelli – Italian meaning “little heart,” baroque violinist
Albinoni – Italian meaning “little white,” baroque composer
Marcello – Latin meaning “young warrior,” composer
Geminiani – Latin meaning “twin,” violinist composer
Tartini – Italian meaning “little tart,” Devil’s Trill
Boccherini – Italian meaning “little mouth,” cellist composer
Clementi – Latin meaning “merciful,” piano method creator
Cherubini – Hebrew meaning “cherub,” operatic composer
Spontini – Italian meaning “spontaneous,” opera composer
Bellini – Italian meaning “beautiful,” bel canto master
Donizetti – Italian meaning “little gift,” opera composer
Mercadante – Italian meaning “merchant,” opera composer
Ponchielli – Italian meaning “little bridge,” opera composer
Boito – Germanic meaning “messenger,” librettist composer
Mascagni – Italian meaning “male,” Cavalleria composer
Leoncavallo – Italian meaning “lion horse,” Pagliacci composer
Giordano – Hebrew meaning “flowing down,” Andrea Chénier
Cilea – Greek meaning “heaven,” Adriana Lecouvreur
Respighi – Italian meaning “hedgehog,” Pines of Rome
Malipiero – Italian meaning “bad stone,” modernist composer
Casella – Italian meaning “little house,” neoclassical composer
Pizzetti – Italian meaning “little pizza,” opera composer
Dallapiccola – Italian meaning “from the small,” twelve-tone composer
Petrassi – Italian meaning “stone,” modernist composer
Maderna – Italian meaning “modern,” avant-garde composer
Berio – Germanic meaning “bear,” experimental composer
Nono – Italian meaning “ninth,” serial composer
Donatoni – Italian meaning “given,” contemporary composer
Sciarrino – Italian meaning “clear,” spectral composer
Fedele – Latin meaning “faithful,” contemporary composer
Battistelli – Greek meaning “baptist,” living composer
Corghi – Italian meaning “heart,” contemporary composer
Vacchi – Italian meaning “cow,” modern composer
Sollima – Italian meaning “only,” cellist composer
Francesconi – Latin meaning “little Francis,” contemporary composer
Criton – Greek meaning “judge,” experimental composer

Discover artistic inspiration with our art usernames collection.

The Renaissance of Italian Names

Here’s the thing – Italian names aren’t just trendy; they’re experiencing a full-blown renaissance. According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, Italian names like Luca (currently sitting pretty at #30), Marco (#159), and Lorenzo (#168) have jumped significantly in popularity rankings over the past five years. That’s a 35% increase in Italian name popularity among American parents!

Social media tells an even more compelling story. Posts tagged with #ItalianBabyNames have skyrocketed by 127% over the past year alone. I get it – there’s something irresistible about Italy’s rich cultural heritage spanning art, cuisine, literature, and family traditions that makes these names particularly appealing to modern parents seeking sophistication and depth.

What’s fascinating is that 68% of Italian-American families still use at least one traditional Italian name, showing how these beautiful choices transcend trends and remain deeply meaningful across generations.

Discover more cultural inspiration with our Italian team names collection.

Choosing the Perfect Italian Name: Practical Tips

Now that you’ve explored this treasure trove of Italian names, let me share some heartfelt advice for making your choice:

1. Consider Pronunciation and Nickname Potential

Think about how the name flows in both Italian and English. Names like “Matteo” naturally become “Matt,” while “Giovanni” often becomes “Gio” or “Johnny.”

2. Research Family History and Regional Connections

Does your family have roots in a specific Italian region? Choosing a name from that area can create a beautiful connection to your heritage.

3. Test the Full Name Flow

Say the first, middle, and last name combination out loud. Italian names often pair beautifully with traditional middle names or family surnames.

4. Explore the Name’s Cultural Significance

Many Italian names have associated feast days, patron saints, or historical figures. This adds depth and celebration opportunities throughout your child’s life.

5. Consider International Appeal

If you want a name that works globally, choices like “Marco,” “Luca,” and “Alessandro” are recognized and loved worldwide.

6. Honor Traditions While Being Practical

While “Michelangelo” is stunning, think about playground practicality. Sometimes “Angelo” captures the same spirit with more everyday ease.

Here’s a fun fact: many Italian names have different pronunciations across regions! The name “Italia” itself comes from the ancient Greek word for “land of bulls,” showing how these names carry ancient stories forward.

Explore more naming inspiration with our comprehensive Italian dog names collection.

Embracing Italian Heritage Through Names

Choosing an Italian name for your boy isn’t just about sound – it’s about embracing a culture that values family, artistry, faith, and passion. Whether you select a classic like Lorenzo that echoes through Renaissance halls, a regional treasure like Calogero that celebrates southern Italian warmth, or a modern favorite like Luca that bridges tradition with contemporary appeal, you’re giving your child a piece of Italy’s magnificent heritage.

Trust me, every time someone asks about your son’s beautiful name, you’ll have a story to tell – about the saint who bore it, the region it represents, or the meaning that spoke to your heart. These 300 Italian names offer more than just identification; they offer identity, culture, and connection to one of the world’s most beloved traditions.

What’s your favorite Italian name from this collection? Have you discovered a family connection or fallen in love with a meaning that perfectly captures your hopes for your little one? The perfect name is waiting – and with 300 magnificent options, your Italian prince already has quite the royal selection to choose from.

Alex Holland

Greetings, I’m Alex – an expert in the art of naming teams, groups or brands, and businesses. With years of experience as a consultant for some of the most recognized companies out there, I want to pass on my knowledge and share tips that will help you craft an unforgettable name for your project through TeamGroupNames.Com!