If you’ve got Italian heritage, you’ve got the perfect excuse to choose an Italian baby name for your son. Even if you don’t have Italian roots, popular names for boys in Italy today prove excellent options. Many of these appellations are time-tested classics that sound timeless and romantic. These poetic names are popular around the world, but especially among Italian-American families in the USA.
We were curious about the most popular names for boys in Italy today, so we did some digging to reveal the latest list of popular names which was last tallied in 2022. Taking a look at the names Italian parents are choosing today gives you a fresh perspective on the names you will hear on playgrounds and in classrooms in Europe today. Coincidentally, the most popular Italian baby name for boys in Italy and the US is the same. Parents can’t get enough of Leonardo on both sides of the Atlantic. We’ll take a look at it and many others!
Discover the Most Popular Names for Boys in Italy Today Below:
Leonardo
Let’s kick off this list of popular names for boys in Italy with the most popular name and then work our way down the list. Leonardo is wildly popular in the US and in Italy. The name is the Latinate form of the German name Leonard, meaning “brave lion.”
Francesco
Francesco comes in a very close second to Leonardo in Italy today. Thanks to Pope Frances, this name exploded in recent years. The name was last popular in the US in 2000 and has since fallen from favor. The name means “French man” or “free man.”
Alessandro
Alessandro is the Italian form of Alexander, which has roots in Greek and means “defending men.” The name has been a go-to in Italy for centuries but it only emerged as a popular option in the US in the late 1990s. It’s been slowly climbing up the popularity chart ever since. Let’s keep the momentum going!
Lorenzo
Lorenzo is the Italian or Spanish form of Laurence. The name means “from Laurentium.” This casual yet cool-sounding name has never cracked the US top-100 but it has been consistently chosen since records of baby names began in the US in 1880.
Mattia
Mattia is a popular form of Matthew in Italy. The name is of Hebrew origin and means “gift of God.” It would make for a distinct yet accessible option for baby boys in the US today. It’s never been a popular option here, however.
Tommaso
Tommaso is a blast of an appellation and one of the best names for boys in Italy that parents in the US are overlooking. Evergreen Thomas is so widely popular in the US that this would be a great alternative. This Italian name comes from Aramaic and means “twin.”
Gabriele
Gabriele is the Italian form of Gabriel. It’s among the most popular names for boys in Italy today, ranking in the top 10. The name comes from Hebrew and means “God is my strength.”
Andrea
In Italy and across Europe more broadly, Andrea is seen as a unisex name. It’s extremely popular for boys there today. However, in the US the name goes to girls 98% of the time. It comes from Greek and means “strong and manly.”
Riccardo
Riccardo is the Italian form of Richard and it means “dominant ruler.” You will also find this name spelled Ricardo but the “CC” spelling is the most popular form in Italy. It’s one of the most popular names for boys in Italy.
Edoardo
Edoardo is the colorful Italian cousin of Edward. The name originated in English and means “wealthy guardian.” The name has never been popular in the US but it’s one of the most popular names for boys in Italy today and has been for decades.
Matteo
Matteo is the Latinate form of Matthew and it has exploded in popularity in the US since the late 1990s. We’re happy this appellation, which means “gift of God” has crossed the pond. Now, if we can only get its brother, Mattia to come over, we’ll be in a good place.
Diego
Diego is technically a Spanish name but it is one of the most popular names for boys in Italy today. The name has been popular in the US since the 1960s and has improved year over year since then. This gorgeous appellation is a form of James and means “supplanter.”
Nicolo
Nicolo is one of the most favored names for boys in Italy today. Unfortunately, many American parents are not seeing it as an option. We think this should change! Italian-Amerian actor Stanley Tucci chose the name for his son and we hope others follow him. Nicolo is the Italian form of Nicholas, meaning “people of victory.”
Giuseppe
Giuseppe is the enduring Italian form of Joseph and it is a perennial favorite in Italy. Sadly, the name is viewed as an “old man name” in the US. The last time it was going on a bunch of birth certificates here was 1986. In Italy, the nickname Beppe is commonly used for this appellation and you just can’t beat that.
Antonio
Antonio is successful in the US as well as Italy. It’s one of the most beloved names for boys in Italy. It’s the Latinate form of Anthony and it means “from Antium.”
Federico
The beloved nickname Fredo is applied to those named Frederico in Italy. If that’s not tempting on its own, Federico is one of the most favored names for boys in Italy. It is of German origin and means “peaceful ruler.”
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Giovanni
Giovanni is the Italian form of John, meaning “God is gracious.” The name really took off in the US in the 1960s and it shut up the charts to rest just outside the top-100 most popular names for boys today. This beautiful name is easy to love.
Pietro
Pietro has gone virtually unused. But, it’s one of the most cherished names for boys in Italy. The name is simply a form of Peter that means “rock.”
Filippo
Filippo emerged as a popular name during the Italian Renaissance. It’s still popular there despite never being a highly favored option in the US. It’s a form of the Greek name Philip and means “lover of horses.”
Samuele
Samuele is pronounced sam-WHALE-eh and though it is one of the most popular names for boys in Italy this form has never been favored in the US. The Hebrew root of this appellation means “told by God.”
Davide
Davide (pronounced dah-Vii-day) is David with an extra syllable. It has never been popular in the US. The Hebrew root of this name means “beloved.”
Christian
Christian originated in Greek and it remains one of the most popular names around the world today. It’s favored in both Italy and the US, meaning “follower of Christ.”
Michele
Pronounced MEE-keh-lay, Michele has never ranked as a popular choice in the US. It’s one of the perennial favorite names for boys in Italy. The name’s Hebrew root means “who is like God?”
Enea
One of the most magical names for boys in Italy that is practically unknown in the US is Enea. The Italians have embraced this name from Roman mythology, a form of Aeneas. This golden find means “the praised one.”
Marco
Marco is a beloved name by both Spanish and Italian. The Latinate root of this name is related to the mythological Mars, meaning “warlike.” This name has dipped in popularity in the US in recent years but it’s still a solid choice.
Giulio
Pronounced JYOO-lee-o, Giulio is one of the most popular names for boys in Italy. Unfortunately, the name has not translated for American parents. It’s the Italian form of the Latin name, Julius, meaning “youthful.”
Luca
Luca is the Italian form of Lucas or Luke, meaning “man from Lucania.” The name has skyrocketed in popularity in the US in recent years. It landed in the top-1000 in 2000 and today it’s nearly in the top-50 list of most popular names. We’re thrilled about it!
Gioele
Pronounced JOE-elle-eh, Gioele has presented pronunciation problems among English speakers which is why the name is not more popular in the US today. It’s a form of Joel, meaning “Jehovah is God.”
Elia
Elia is the Italian form of Elijah and it’s popular across Europe, not just in Italy. Despite its popularity there it has never been a popular choice in the US. That’s a shame! The name’s Hebrew root means “Jehovah is God.”
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Salvatore
Salvatore was once a very popular name in the US. In fact, it’s been in the top-1000 since 1889. It’s been slowly slipping down the list through the years and it might fall of the chart for the first time in the next year or two. Keep this one alive and well, folks! The name is the Italian form of Salvator, and means “savior.”
There you have it! Now, you know the most popular names for boys in Italy today. These appellations are mostly time-tested Italian classics that translate well for use in the US. If you have Italian heritage, we can think of no better way to celebrate it than by choosing a romantic, Italian name for your son. Happy baby name hunting!