It is very difficult to come up with a name for a newborn girl. The easiest way is to choose a name in honor of the Saint on whose day the baby was born. But the Italian people have gone further, they can name their child Friday, Tuesday. Translated into Russian, this girl's name may look funny, but in Italian Friday sounds like Venerdi - a beautiful Italian name. In addition, the Italians gave their children serial numbers as names, this unusual and interesting way came to the Italians from the time when families were large and large. Ordinal numbers in Italian sound very beautiful: Prima, Settima, Ottavina, Quinta. Not like in Russian: first, second, third ...
There were times when the Italians strictly followed the rules for naming children. The first-born were usually given the names of grandmothers, and the rest of the names of great-grandmothers, aunts and girlfriends. So the people were reverent and revered family ties in Italy, the Italian names of girls and boys were not mixed with other peoples. But now the opposite is true, young families call their children whatever they want. That is why the list of Italian girls' names is replenished almost every year. The list contains not only the original Italian names of girls, but also the names of other peoples.
Italian girl names:
Agostina - venerable
Lorenza - from Lorentum
Agatha is good
Luigina - warrior
Adeline - noble
Lucretia - rich
Agnes - saint, chastity
Luciana - light
Alessandra - protector of mankind
Margherita - pearl
Allegra - cheerful and lively
Marcella - female warrior
Albertina - bright nobility
Maura - dark-skinned, Moor
Alda - noble
Mimi - beloved
Annette - benefit, grace
Mirella - delightful
Beatrice - Traveler
Michelina - who is like God
Bettina - blessed
Malvolia - malevolence
Bella - God is beautiful
Marinella - from the sea
Beaty is a traveler
Nerezza - darkness
Brigid - Exalted
Nicoletta - victory of the people
Bianca - white
Noelia - Nativity of the Lord
Violetta - purple flower
Norm - standard, rule
Velia - hidden
Ornella - blooming ash
Vittoria - conqueror, victory
Orebella - golden, beautiful
Wanda - moving, wanderer
Paola - small
Vincenza - conquered
Patricia - woman noblewoman
Vitalia - vital
Perlite - pearl
Gabriela - strong from God
Pirin - rock, stone
grace is pleasant
Pasquelina - Easter child
Deborah the bee
Renata - born again
Gemma is a gem
Roberta is famous
Giovanna - Good God
Rosabella - beautiful rose
Gioconda - happy
Romola - from Rome
Giorgina - peasant woman
Rosaria - rosary
Gisella - hostage
Rossella - rose
Giacinta - hyacinth flower
Sandra - protecting humanity
Jolanda - purple flower
Celeste - heavenly girl
Juliet is a young girl
Serafina - mountain
Domenica - belongs to God
Simone - listening
Donatella - given by God
Slarissa - fame
Dorothea - a gift from God
Susana - lily
Danila - God is my judge
Santazza - saint
Elena - moon
Tiziana - of the titans
Ileria - joyful, happy
Fiorella - small flower
Ines - chaste, saint
Felisa - lucky
Italia - ancient name of Italy
Ferdinanda - prepared for the trip
Caprice - capricious
fiorenza - blooming
Carmela, Carmina - sweet vineyard
Francesca - free
Clara - bright
Fulvia - yellow
Colombina - faithful dove
Chiera - clear, bright
Christina - follower of Christ
Edda - militant
Crocetta - cross, crucified
Eleanor is a foreigner, different
Capricia - capricious
Elettra - radiant, bright
Letitia - happiness
Enrica - housekeeper
Leah - always tired
Ernesta - a fighter against death
Italian female names
This article will focus on female Italian names. Below will be given the characteristics and meaning of several female names, originally from Italy or often used in this country.
1) Monika is a female name, assigned to the Greek group of names and meaning "lonely", "only" or "unique". Monica is a beautiful and common name, you can often meet a girl with this name in Italy, as well as hear it when watching various Brazilian TV shows.
Named after Monica, she is a calm and tactful person, she is non-confrontational and reserved. But this is until such time as it does not affect her pride or offend any of Monica's relatives or relatives. It is easy and pleasant to communicate with a girl named Monika, to work in the same team. In family life, as a rule, Monica forgives her husband a lot, she is rather self-critical about her appearance and her own shortcomings, she tries not to flaunt her flaws.
Children will be incredibly lucky with a mother named Monica, because she will be able to give them all the warmth of her heart, teach them a lot and develop many positive character traits in her offspring. An ideal housewife will come out of Monica, she will be a reliable support for her husband in difficult life situations. However, a woman named Monica is jealous and suspicious, often checking her husband for infidelity.
2) The name Isabella is, oddly enough, the Spanish version of the pronunciation of the female name Elizabeth. The name Isabella is listed in the western group of names, it can be translated as "beauty."
As a rule, Isabella grows up as an obstinate, impudent, rebellious and uncontrollable girl. She is more comfortable in the company of men than women. Isabella has very few friends, she does not reveal her soul to anyone, often even to her own mother. When a girl named Isabella falls in love with a man, she is ready to give herself completely, without a trace. In life, Isabella is a passionate, impatient, inquisitive nature. In marriage, she is ready to live with one person all her life if their attraction to each other does not fade away.
As a hostess, Isabella does not shine with talents. It seems to her boring and monotonous housework, she does not like routine and monotony. Isabella dreams of seeing the world, traveling and learning new things. For such a woman, the work of a flight attendant, tour operator, guide or tour guide, makeup artist, singer, nutritionist, correspondent or journalist is suitable.
Isabella is in no hurry to have children, however, when they do appear, a woman with this name will love them more than life.
3) The female name Beatrice from the Latin group of names. This name can be translated as "blessing". By naming a girl by the name of Beatrice, you can be completely sure that a real woman will grow out of her: soft, kind, sexy, gentle and endlessly charming. Beatrice is able to drive men of any age crazy, she is attractive and mysterious. That is why from a very young age she bathes in the attention of the opposite sex, in gifts and complements. A girl with this name marries early, she often has several marriages in her life, because Beatrice is changeable and quickly loses interest in a permanent partner.
Beatrice is not always lucky in her career, but thanks to her perseverance and logical mindset, this girl is able to achieve impressive success and become a respected person. It happens that a high position prevents her from starting a family, because she has absolutely no time for children and her personal life. A man whom Beatrice will truly love with all her heart will help to cope with these obstacles.
Administrator, manager, head of department, tax inspector, insurance agent, personnel manager and the like - this is not a complete list of positions that Beatrice can hold.
4) The gentle and melodic name of Julia has become the subject of chanting of some artists, composers and film screenwriters for a reason. This name is translated from Latin as "from the genus Julius."
A girl named Julia has an imperious character, she is assertive and proud, has external beauty and knows how to use it perfectly. In communication, Julia is kind, diversified, she may well give good advice or suggest a solution to any life problem. Around Julia, as a rule, sincere, loving people, Julia has almost no enemies. A woman named Julia knows how to stand up for herself and appreciates self-confidence, self-sufficiency and strength in men. Does not tolerate people who complain, humiliate and cowardly.
For Julia, the opinion of others does not matter, she herself makes a choice how to live. She marries late, because she values freedom and trust between partners. Routine and life in a relationship make Julia look for new experiences and vivid emotions on the side, but if the ardor between the spouses does not cool down, then a woman named Julia will be faithful to the only man.
In raising kids, Julia tries to find an individual approach to each child, is fond of psychology, studies various tips and methods of communicating with children. It can make a good teacher, educator, writer, scientist, philosopher, lawyer, lawyer or extra.
5) The name Angela is translated as "angelic". This name endows its owner with a rebellious character, sexuality, charm and innovative thinking. Thanks to her mind, a girl named Angela quickly takes off up the career ladder, she is reasonable, practical and businesslike. Often, however, envious women and men who are greedy for Angela's appearance interfere with her. It is the intrigues of the so-called girlfriends or colleagues that often unsettle Angela.
In the professional field, Angela will find herself in the position of an accountant, economist, manager, fashion model, dancer, consultant, bank employee or professor.
In a marriage with Angela, almost any man will be happy, will be able to feel needed, loved and unique. Angela prefers solid men, reliable, able to keep promises and having plans for the future. With children, a girl named Angela easily finds a common language, they have fun together. Babies do not have a soul in their mother, and this connection remains between them for life.
The secrets associated with the meaning and origin of names at all times excited the minds of the inhabitants. Italian male names reflect the essence of this hot, passionate people. In general, the names are very beautiful.
The meanings after translation into Russian confirm the sincere impulse of the soul, courage and the boiling blood of Italian men.
The Catholic Church had a great influence on the souls of people. named after saints many babies.
Open the veil of secrecy and find out what the names of the famous football player Mario Balotelli, the genius Leonardo da Vinci and other famous sons of sunny Italy mean.
List of Italian male names
"Brave lion", "seductive", "sparkling", "God's spear", "Easter child" - these are meanings translated into Russian. What do the Italian versions sound like?
Name in Russian | Name in English | Meaning of the name | Name origin |
Abele | Abele | Shepherd | Form of the name Abel, Jewish |
Adolfo | Adolfo | noble warrior | Spanish form from Adolf |
Adriano | Adriano | Rich or from the Adriatic coast | From a Roman nickname |
Alberto | Alberto | noble brilliance | Old German or Latin |
Alessandro | Alessandro | Defender of Humanity | Defender of Humanity |
Alonzo | Alonzo | Ready and noble | Italian |
Amato | Amato | Darling | Italian |
Amadeo | Amadeo | Loving God | Italian form from Latin Amadeus |
Andrea | Andrea | man, warrior | Greek, Italian |
Anastasio | Anastasio | restorative | Greek |
Angelo | Angelo | Messenger, angel | Greek, form from Angelii |
Antonio | Antonio | Opposing or flower | Ancient Roman or Greek |
Arlando | Arlanda | Eagle power | Italian form from Ronald |
Armando | Armando | Hardy, brave man | Spanish form of Herman |
Aurelio | Aurelio | Gold | Italian |
batista | Batista | Baptist | french |
Baltassare | Baltassare | King's Protector | Ancient Greek transcription of two Old Testament names |
Benvenuto | Benvenuto | Welcoming | Italian |
Bertoldo | Berthold | Wise ruler | Old Germanic |
Bernardo | Bernardo | Like a bear | Italian or Spanish |
Valentino | Valentino | Strong, healthy | Italian |
Vincente | Vincent | conqueror, conqueror | latin |
Vitale | Vitale | Life, from life | latin |
Vittorio | Victor | Winner | Italian |
Gasparo | Gasparo | Treasure the bearer | Armenian |
Guerino | Guerin | Protecting | Italian |
Gustavo | Gustavo | Meditating | Spanish |
Guido | Guido | Forest | Old Germanic |
Giacomo | Jacomo | Destroying | Italian |
Dario | Dario | Rich, owning many | Italian form from Darius |
dino | dino | Believer, senior priest | English or Persian |
Geronimo | Geronimo | holy name | 1.Italian form from Jerome. 2. On behalf of the leader of the Indian tribe |
Giovanni | John | Pardoned by God | ancient jewish |
Giuseppe | Guiseppe | God multiply | Hebrew form of the name John |
Genarro | Gerardo | January | Italian form from English John |
Gianni | Gianni | God is kind | Italian |
Gino | Gino | Little farmer, immortal | Italian |
Giuliano | Giuliano | With a soft beard, reference to youth | Italian |
Donato | Donato | God-given | Italian |
Doriano | Dorieno | From the Doric tribe | Italian |
Gianluigi | Zhanluiji | Famous warrior, God is good | Italian form from Lewis |
Gianluca | Gianluca | From Lucanius, God is good | Italian |
Giancarlo | Giancarlo | Good man and God | Italian |
Italo | Italo | Originally from Italy | Italian |
Camillo | Camillo | The keeper | ancient roman |
Calisto | Callisto | The most beautiful | ancient roman |
Casimiro | Casimiro | Known for destroying | Hispanic |
Carlos | Carlos | Human | Spanish |
Colombano | Colombano | Pigeon | Italian |
Corrado | Conrad | Honest, brave adviser | Old Germanic |
Christiano | Christiano | Follower of Christ | Portuguese |
Leopoldo | Leopoldo | Brave | Old Germanic |
Ladislao | Ladislao | Reigning gloriously | Slavic |
Leonardo | Leonardo | Brave strong lion | Old Germanic |
Lorenzo | Lorenzo | From Laurentum | Italian |
Luciano | Luciano | Easy | Italian |
Luke | Luce | Light | ancient greek |
Luigi | Luigi | famous warrior | Italian |
Marco | Marco | Warlike | latin |
Manfredo | Manfredo | world of the strong | Germanic |
Mario | Mario | Courageous | Form of the name Maria |
Martino | Martino | from mars | ancient roman |
Marcello | Marcello | Warlike | Portuguese form of Mars or Marcus |
Massimiliano | Massimiliano | Biggest | Italian |
Maurizio | Maurizio | Moor, black | Italian form from Mauritius |
Manlio | Menlayo | Morning | Italian |
merino | Merino | Nautical | Spanish |
Nazario | Nazario | From Nazareth | ancient jewish |
Nikola | Nicola | Winner of the People | Greek |
Orsino | Orsino | bear like | Italian |
Oscar | Oscar | God's Spear | Scandinavian or Old Germanic |
Orlando | Orlando | known land | Catholic form of the name Ronald |
Ottavio | Ottavio | Eighth | Spanish form from Octavian |
Paolo | Paolo | Small | Italian form from Pavel |
Patrizio | Patrizio | Nobleman | ancient roman |
Prospero | Prospero | successful, fortunate | Spanish |
Pellegrino | Pellegrino | Wanderer, traveler | ancient roman |
Renato | Renato | reborn | latin |
Riccardo | Riccardo | Brave, strong | Italian form by Richard |
Ruggiero | Ruggerio | famous spear | Italian |
Sandro | Sandro | Defender of Humanity | Italian |
Silvestro | Silvestri | Forest | ancient roman |
Cecilio | Cecilio | Blind | ancient roman |
Sergio | Sergio | Servant | Italian |
Silvio | Silvio | Forest | From Latin Silvius |
Teofilo | Teofilo | Friend of God | ancient greek |
Teodoro | Teodoro | Gift of God | ancient greek |
Uberto | Uberto | Spirit, bright heart | Spanish |
Hugo | Hugo | Spirit, mind, heart | Spanish, Portuguese |
Fabio | Fabio | Seductive | Italian |
Fabrizio | Fabrizio | Master | Italian |
fausto | Fausto | Lucky | latin |
Flavio | Flavio | Yellow flower | ancient roman |
floerino | Floerino | Flower | ancient roman |
Franco | Franco | Free | Italian |
Fredo | fredo | World of God | Old Germanic |
Fernando | Fernando | Courageous, brave, protects the world | Old Germanic |
Francesco | Francis | Free | Italian form from Francis (fr.) |
Hironomo | Hironimo | holy name | ancient greek |
Cesare | Caesar | Hairy | Roman. Italian form from Caesar |
Eligio | Eligio | Choice | Italian |
Emanuele | Emanuele | God is with us | Jewish. From Biblical Immanuel |
Ennio | Ennio | Chosen by God | Italian |
Enrique | Enrique | housekeeper | Spanish. Variant of the name Heinrich |
Ernesto | Ernesto | Fight death | Spanish |
Eugenio | Eugenio | well born | Spanish |
Interesting facts about Italian male names
In Italy, heated arguments often flare up between parents and numerous relatives: in honor of whom to name the born baby. Everyone defends his own version and believes that he is right.
Are there traditions associated with addressing men in Italy? Does fashion influence the choice of a name for a boy?
Do you know that:
- in the Middle Ages children often named after saints. Now this tradition is preserved in the villages. Residents of large cities adhere to it less and less;
- most modern Italian names have a Latin basis. The ending -e or -o replaced the Latin -us. The transformation was facilitated by the suffixes -ello, -ino, -iano;
- during the Roman Empire there was an unusual tradition. The families were big. To avoid confusion, only four older boys were given names. The rest of the sons were called ordinal numbers, for example: Sextus - the sixth. Gradually, the original meaning was lost. Quint - does not always mean "fifth in a row";
- many young families name their children after famous people, show business and movie stars. In Italy, athletes are treated with great respect. The football craze led to the mass registration of new Paolo, Fabio, Fernando and Mario;
- in the XXII - XIX centuries, the most popular names were Giuseppe and Leonardo. Modern parents often called sons by the names of Fernando and Mario;
- there are creative parents who want to call their newborn an absurd or funny name in all countries. In Italy, eccentricities are fought at the legislative level. State authorities have the right to refuse parents to register an infant if the chosen name will bring suffering to the child in the future;
- fashion has not bypassed men's names. Previously, among the Italians there were many citizens who were addressed by Bartolomeo, Pierpaolo, Michelangelo. Shorter, more severe appeals are now popular.: Antonio, Pietro, Mario, Fabio.
Coming up with a name for a newborn girl seems simple until you come across it yourself. The easiest way is to name after the saint who owns the day when the baby was born, but in Italy they went further and can christen their children as Friday, Sunday, Tuesday. Naturally, when translated into Russian, the girl's Italian name may look funny, but in the language itself, Friday will sound like Venerdi, and Sunday - Domenica. Who has not dreamed of such beautiful Italian names? So, jokes aside, because it will be even more fun.
Funny Italian female names
An even more interesting way for Italians to name girls is by numeral. This custom came from the time when families had many children and named newborns in order of birth: Seventh, First, Eighth, Fifth. In Italian, these names also sound beautiful: Settima, Prima, Ottavina, Quinta. Just do not confuse the numerals and serial numbers in Italian: the number three in translation into Russian is “tre”, and the numeral “third” is Terzo. Agree, what is not a name for a child?
Now it’s clear where such beautiful Italian female names came from. One thing is strange, why do they like ordinary numbers so much? It is difficult for a Russian person to understand this, because such a custom has not taken root in our country, and they don’t run around the streets: First, Third and even Seventh. How much you need to love your language in order to see poetry in the word “eighth” and admire it so much that you name your daughter in honor of this word, and she, in turn, is proud of such a name and does not cry over her passport at night.
We would like to remind you that boys in Italy are given the same names, but with a different ending, so that you do not think that only female Italian names have overtaken the ordinal name.
Italian female names and family traditions
Previously, strict rules were followed for the name of the child, and this mainly concerned the ancestors: the children of the first-born were named after their grandparents, and the rest - after their great-grandmothers and the names of their uncle and aunt. In this custom, one can see a reverent attitude and reverence for family ties in Italy.
If we consider this family custom in more detail, then the daughter who was born first will bear the name of the mother of the father. The second, respectively, mother's mother. The third daughter was named after her mother, and the fourth - after her father's grandmother. The fifth newborn will be named after an aunt or great aunt.
Moreover, in Russia they try not to name a newborn in honor of a recently deceased relative, but in Italy they treat this differently and the baby can be called as a recently deceased member of the family.
Influence of other countries and religion on name formation in Italy
At the moment, the fashion for foreign names for girls and boys is growing, and do not forget about the tradition of naming the saint on whose day the child was born. The Roman Catholic Church brought Roman origins to the list of Italian children's names.
The most popular female names in Italy: Domenica ( Domenica), Giulia (Giulia), Alessia (Alessia), Chiara (Chiara, in our Sveta), Francesca (Francesca), Sarah (Sara), Federica (Federica), Silvia (Silvia), Martina (Martina), Elisa (Elisa) . Affectionate diminutive derivatives of such names approximately sound like this: Ellie, Lesya, Fede, Frani, Julli.
More information about the culture of Italy in the article about the national anthem:
Your passion for Italy is not accidental? Are you planning a move? Then information about work for Russians in Italy that will be useful to you.
The meaning of Italian female names
The translation of names carries the unimaginable poetry and beauty of the Italian language. Let's say Dominica got her name from the day of the week "Sunday", which means "belonging to God." Felice means Happy and Perla means Pearl. Immacolata in translation into Russian means Flawless, Angela - Angel, Selvaggia - Wild. Reading this list of Italian female names, you involuntarily begin to envy their diversity, this is not 20 newborns per day in one maternity hospital named Nastya. These Italians are entertainers, I must admit!
List of Italian female names and their meaning in Russian
- Agostina - venerable
- Agatha is good
- Adeline - noble
- Agnes - saint, chastity
- Alessandra - protector of humanity
- Allegra - cheerful and lively
- Albertina - bright nobility
- Alda - noble
- Annette - benefit, grace
- Beatrice is a traveler
- Bettina - blessed
- Bella - God is beautiful
- Beaty is a traveler
- Brigid - Exalted
- Bianca - white
- Violetta - purple flower
- Velia - hidden
- Vittoria - conqueror, victory
- Wanda - moving, wanderer
- Vincenza - conquered
- Vitalia - life
- Gabriela - strong from God
- grace is pleasant
- Deborah the bee
- Gemma is a gem
- Giovanna - Good God
- Gioconda - happy
- Georgina - peasant woman
- Gisella is a hostage
- Giacinta - hyacinth flower
- Jolanda - purple flower
- Juliet is a young girl
- Domenica - belongs to God
- Donatella - given by God
- Dorothea is a gift from God
- Danila - God is my judge
- Elena is the moon
- Ileria - joyful, happy
- Ines - chaste, saint
- Italia - ancient name of Italy
- Caprice - capricious
- Carmela, Carmina - sweet vineyard
- Clara - bright
- Colombina - faithful dove
- Christina is a follower of Christ
- Crocetta - cross, crucified
- Caprice - capricious
- Letitia - happiness
- Leah - always tired
- Lorenza - from Lorentum
- Luigina - warrior
- Lucretia - rich
- Luciana - light
- Margherita - pearl
- Marcella - female warrior
- Maura - dark-skinned, Moor
- Mimi - beloved
- Mirella - delightful
- Michelina - who is like God
- Malvolia - malevolence
- Marinella - from the sea
- Nerezza - darkness
- Nicoletta - victory of the people
- Noelia - Nativity of the Lord
- Norm - standard, rule
- Ornella - blooming ash
- Orebella - golden, beautiful
- Paola is small
- Patricia - noblewoman
- Perlite - pearl
- Pirin - rock, stone
- Pasquelina - Easter child
- Renata - born again
- Roberta is famous
- Rosabella - beautiful rose
- Romola - from Rome
- Rosaria - rosary
- Rossella - rose
- Sandra - protecting mankind
- Celeste - heavenly girl
- Serafina - mountain
- Simone - listening
- Slarissa - fame
- Susana - lily
- Santazza - saint
- Tiziana - of the titans
- Fiorella - a small flower
- Felisa - lucky
- Ferdinanda - prepared for the trip
- Fiorenza - blooming
- Francesca - free
- Fulvia - yellow
- Chiera - clear, bright
- Edda - militant
- Eleanor is a foreigner, different
- Elettra - radiant, bright
- Enrika - housekeeper
- Ernesta - a fighter against death
Italy continues to amaze with its originality and inspire new discoveries. Reading about its culture, traditions, nature and sights, one wants to come there again and again. And what about those who have not yet been to Italy? You should definitely set a goal to go there!
Significant naming factors
Modern Italian names are largely of Roman origin, some of which are found in ancient myths. It is interesting that some of them during the reign of Ancient Rome were only nicknames, which then lost their meaning and became full-fledged names. For example, Flavio means "blonde".
Not without the influence of the church: most of the names were formed from the names of Catholic saints. These are such famous Italian names as Sofia, Madonna, Venus, Felicia, Sergio, Carlo, Petro and others.
Modern Italian names for men were formed from Latin ones by replacing the ending -us with the Italian -o or -e. Variants with suffixes -ino, -ello, -iano are also popular: Andrea, Lorenzo, Davide, Mattia, Alessandro, Francesco, Antonio, Giovanni, Donatello, Adriano.
Naming trends today
Popular Italian female names are formed from male ones by changing the ending (-o to -a), as well as using the suffixes -ella, -ina, -etta: Chiara, Aurora, Alice, Maria, Anna, Giuseppina, Juliet.
It should be noted that modern Italians, choosing names for their children, gravitate more towards short and memorable options. And if a couple of generations ago it was fashionable to give compound names (Pierpaolo, Giampiero), today it is no longer held in high esteem. Now the influence of fashion is more about the choice of names in honor of sports idols and movie stars.
In Italy, it is not easy for parents who decide to name their child with an unusual name. Not everyone can be approved by the registration authorities: the court can prohibit the use of a particular name if it can be dangerous for the child in a certain sense. For example, a few years ago, a court forbade a couple of Italians to name their child Friday.
Male names
Most male Italian names were formed from Latin prototypes by replacing the common ending -us with -o (less often -a or -e). There are also forms with diminutive suffixes that end in -ino, -etto, -ello, -iano.
According to statistics compiled a few years ago, boys in Italy are most often called by the names of Francesco (3.5%), Alessandro (3.2%), Andrea (2.9%), Matteo (2.9%), Lorenzo (2 .6%), Gabriele (2.4%), Mattia (2.2%), Riccardo (2%), Davide (1.9%), Luca (1.8%). It is worth noting that this list is very different from what could be seen half a century ago, then Giuseppe, Giovanni and Antonio were in the top three.
Women's names
Most male names also have a female form, changing the ending -o to -a. The names of saints are very popular, as well as variants with the endings -ella, -etta, -ina.
The most common female given names today are Julia (3.5%), Sofia (3.2%), Martina (2.6%), Sarah (2.6%), Chiara (2.3%), Georgia ( 2.1%), Aurora (1.8%), Alessia (1.8%), Francesca (1.6%), Alice (1.6%). In the middle of the last century, most often girls were called Maria, Anna and Giuseppina.
In general, if you take a list of the thirty most popular names in Italy, then their owners will be 50% of men and 45% of women.
Rare and old names
As already mentioned, in the past, very often the name of the child was given in honor of a saint. But even then, many of them were very unusual and rare: Castenze, Calchedonio, Baltassare, Cipriano, Egidio. The use of such names was limited to the area where these saints were well known and revered. But non-religious names during the time of Christianity might not appear at all in civil records: often it was replaced by the closest sounding Christian counterpart or not indicated at all.
During the conquests of the Franks, Normans and Lombards, such Italianized options appeared as Arduino, Ruggiero, Grimaldo, Theobaldo. Before the rise of the Inquisition, Jewish and Arabic names were common, but later they almost completely disappeared.
Among Christian names, the majority are Roman-Latin, but there are also Greek ones: Ippolito, Sofia. Some Orthodox variants were Latinized and accepted in the Catholic society: Yuri turned into Yorio, Nikola into Nikolo.
Another category of names that have disappeared are those that have been superseded by a more modern version. For example, today the name Luisa, which is of Spanish origin, is quite widely used, while the Italian original sounds like Luigia.
Some novice researchers confuse some very similar names with Italian names. For example, the name Donna is not an Italian name at all. Rather, such a word exists in Italian, but is widely used exclusively as a designation for a woman. But Madonna is a traditional Italian name, which was quite common in the old days.
In the Middle Ages, the Piedmonese and Sicilian dialects had a great influence on the territory of the country, which brought with them a considerable number of names specific to themselves. They lost popularity and disappeared when the Tuscan dialect was recognized as the state language. Thus, at once a large group of names that prevailed in the 16th century were completely forgotten in the 18th century. Surprisingly, part of this group was revived in the last century, when there was a surge of interest in them among the bourgeois class that arose at that time.
Finding the roots of rare old names today is quite difficult. Most of the records have been lost, and scientists prefer to focus on the records of the southern regions, as the most complete and reliable. This is how the origin of the names Milvia and Milvio was determined, which was common in the Albanian communities in the south and in Rome. They appeared after the victory of Constantine on the Milvian bridge (Ponte Milvio).
A rather interesting class of medieval names is represented by derivatives of a common name, formed with the help of suffixes. Often this was done with the names of children named after older relatives, in order to simultaneously indicate both kinship and individuality. From Antonio came Antonello and Antonino, as well as Antonella and Antonina, from Katerina - Katrinella, from Margarita - Margaritella, from Giovanni and Giovanna - Giovanello, Giovanella, Ianella and Gianella.
Barbaro is the masculine form of the name Barbara, and Barbriano comes from the male version. The names Mintsiko and Masullo also came from the female Mintsika and Misulla. Geronimo is an obsolete variant of the name Gerolamo. And the name Cola is nothing more than an abbreviation for Nikola, like Toro, which has nothing to do with bulls (toro), but only represents a short form of Salvatore. Bastiano is a shortened form of the name Sebastiano. Miniko, Minika, Minikello and Minikella are derived from the earlier common names Domenico and Domenica.
Several names are derived from the titles of their masters. For example, Marquise, Tessa (from contessa - countess), Regina (queen). In fact, the name Regina does not refer to belonging to the royal family, but refers to Mary - the mother of Christ. From Mary came the forms Mariella and Mariuccia.
The names of the saints were not always of ancient origin. In old records, you can find options such as the Providence (Providenza - providence), Felicia (Felicia - well-being), Dea (Dea - goddess), Potency (Potenzia - power), Virgin and Virgin (Vergine / Virgin - chastity), Madonna, Santa (saint), Bellissima (beauty), Venus, Boniface and Benefacha, Doniza (bestowed), Violanti (fury), Mercurio and the name of obscure origin Shumi (Xhumi).
The female names Orestina, Furella, Fiuri, Ferencina, Cumonau and Doniz were unusual even for the 16th century, as were the male names Valli, Zalli, Gagliotto, Manto, Vespristiano and Angiolino.
As in Russia, every Italian has a first and last name. At least since the 16th century, a tradition has been developing in Italy for naming children by the names of their ancestors., so the first son received the name of the grandfather by the father, then the first daughter received the name of the grandmother by the father, and the second son received the name of the grandfather by the mother, the second daughter received the name of the grandmother by the mother. The rest of the children received the names of their parents, or the names of the nearest unmarried or deceased uncles and aunts. Because of this custom, the same names are repeated in Italian families from generation to generation.
Most of the names given to children at birth in Italy are from the names of saints of the Roman Catholic Church.
According to sociological research of the center, Italian mothers and fathers with enviable constancy prefer to name newborns boys - Francesco And girls - Julia. Other names included in the list of the most common in Italy: Alessandro, Mateo, Marco, Lorenzo - for the stronger sex and Sarah, Sofia, Elisa - for the inhabitants of the Apennines.
The most traditional names like Maria, Nicola and Stefano are losing their popularity among young modern parents. They follow new fashion trends and personal, sometimes extravagant taste.
Several lovers of the work of Pablo Picasso named their sons Nepomukeni (one of the many names of the artist). The "symbiosis" of actor Johnny Depa and the legendary Brazilian football player Pele became the official name of the boy Pejon. True patriots have daughters with the proud name of Italy.
And yet the question "what to call?" depends on the religious and cultural preferences of the population of the regions of the peninsula. Italians Mateo live mostly in the north of the country, but Giuseppe and Laura are "legitimate" southerners and Sicilians. Thus, Giuseppe's parents pay tribute to Saint Giuseppe, the patron saint of the poor and disadvantaged, and the hero of Italy, the fighter for its unification, Giuseppe Garibaldi. And the beautiful senoritas of Laura for their name, it seems, should thank the beloved of the great Dante Alighieri.