Italian American names
What are Italian American names like?
Antonio is an Italian and Spanish relative of Anthony. Gianna is an Italian short form of Giovanna.
Names carried across the Atlantic and kept alive at Sunday dinners: Anthony, Sal, Gianna, Carmela. Italian-American families often pair a saint's name with a nonna's or nonno's, or swap the Old World form (Giuseppe, Francesco) for its Americanized cousin (Joseph, Frank) depending on the generation.
Where these names rank todayUnited States
Adriana from Hadria; feminine form of Adrian
Aldo old, wise; a distinctive old-world classic
Alessandro the Italian form of Alexander, with the inherited meaning "defender of men"
Alfonso noble and ready; a warm old-world classic
Angela messenger; a beloved crossover classic across Italian-American generations
Angelina little angel; a beloved classic with a modern crossover boost
Angelo messenger, angel; a beloved classic celestial name
Anthony an ancient Roman family name of uncertain, likely Etruscan origin; the single most enduring Italian-American name across generations, from Antonio
Antonio From the Roman name Antonius, of uncertain Etruscan origin; the classic Italian form kept alive across generations
Ariana Portuguese form of Ariadne, also used in modern English; the ancient Greek name is traditionally interpreted as most holy
Bella beautiful; a nickname-style favorite standing on its own
Bianca white, fair (Italian cognate of Blanche); a graceful classic
Carmela garden, orchard; a warm, old-world classic
Carmine song, or crimson; a distinctive old-world classic
Concetta conceived, honoring the Immaculate Conception; a devotional old-world classic
Cosimo order, harmony; historically tied to the powerful Medici family, a distinctive heritage name
Dante enduring; forever tied to poet Dante Alighieri, embraced with literary pride
Domenico belonging to God; the classic Italian form treasured in heritage-proud families
Dominic belonging to God; a steady, beloved Italian-American classic
Donatella gift; a distinctive, stylish favorite
Elena shining light; a graceful classic
Emilio rival; a steady classic
Enzo nickname-style short form of Vincenzo/Lorenzo, now a stylish standalone favorite
Filomena beloved, or friend of strength; a devotional old-world classic still cherished as a family heirloom name
Francesco Frenchman (Italian form of Francis); the classic form treasured by families keeping close ties to Italian heritage
Frank from the name of the Franks, the Germanic tribe; in modern use a short form of Francis; the Americanized form of Francesco embraced by generations of Italian immigrant families
Gabriella God is my strength; a graceful favorite blending tradition and modern style
Gia nickname-style short form of Gianna/Giovanna, a stylish standalone favorite
Gianna God is gracious; a soaring modern favorite, the Italian form of Jane/Joan
Giovanni God is gracious; a classic Italian form embraced with pride
Giulia youthful; the Italian form of Julia treasured in heritage-proud families
Giuseppe God will increase; the classic Italian form of Joseph kept alive in heritage-proud families
Isabella God is my oath; a beloved modern classic
Joseph God will increase; the Americanized form used by generations of Italian immigrant families alongside Giuseppe
Leonardo brave lion; a classic enjoying a strong modern revival
Luca traditionally from Lucania, a region of southern Italy (the Italian form of Lucas); a favorite that has surged in the 21st century
Lucia light; a graceful classic gaining fresh popularity
Marcella feminine form of Marcellus, a diminutive of Marcus (probably from the god Mars); a graceful old-world classic
Marco warlike (form of Mark); a steady modern favorite
Maria beloved; carried alongside Anna as one of the most common Italian-American women's names, often used as a middle name
Marisa combination of Maria and Luisa; a graceful mid-century favorite
Massimo greatest; a bold modern favorite
Matteo gift of God; a beloved modern favorite
Mia a short form of Maria, ultimately from Hebrew Miryam, whose meaning is uncertain; it coincides with Italian mia and Spanish mía, "mine"
Niccolo victory of the people; the full classic form of Nico/Nicholas
Nico nickname-style short form of Niccolo/Nicholas, warmly used on its own
Pasquale born at Easter; a classic devotional name carried across generations
Rocco rest; a rugged old-world classic revived in recent decades
Roman citizen of Rome; a bold modern favorite embraced by Italian-American families
Rosa rose; a beloved classic carried by generations of Italian-American grandmothers
Sal nickname-style short form of Salvatore, warmly used as a name in its own right
Salvatore savior; a beloved classic, often shortened to Sal in everyday American life
Serafina fiery, angelic; a graceful heirloom name enjoying renewed popularity
Sofia wisdom; a beloved modern classic across Italian-American families
Stella star; a beloved classic with a strong modern revival
Valentina strong, healthy; a favorite surging across Italian-American families
Vincent conquering; a steady, beloved Italian-American classic
Vincenzo conquering; the classic Italian form enjoying a modern revival
Vinny nickname-style familiar form of Vincent/Vincenzo, an affectionate Italian-American staple
Vito life; a warm old-world classic, tied in pop culture to The Godfather
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