How come we have never thought of it before?!
I mean; the Italians do EVERYTHING better. Coffee, pasta (perfectly al dente), Prosecco and fashion. Basically, you name it, the Italians are winning at it. So clearly it is only natural that they also are pretty AH-MAZING when it comes to naming their bonny little babies, no?
We set to work, and the results are in: Italian baby names are all sorts of ADORBS. Just read on and judge for yourself:
For your little boy
Massimo
Massimo, an Italian version of Maximus, is a bold name that means “the greatest.” The name has been on the rise since the 1980s, and is a fun alternative to Maxwell.
Francesco
Francesco has become mega-popular is Italy after Pope Francis was made head of the Catholic Church.
Orlando
Orlando is the fancy Italian version of the name Roland. Also, there is the Orlando Bloom element…
Valentino
For all you fashionista mamas… Also, the connection to St. Valentine is rather sweet!
Franco
Franco is the Italian version of Francis, and it means “free man.”
Enzo
While Enzo is short for Lorenzo or Vincenzo, it is also believed that it could be an Italianized version of the name Heinz or even Henry. CUTE.
Matteo
Matteo is the Italian version of the English name Matthew. Gaining huge popularity in Scandinavia, and we think it could totally do the same here!
Romeo
Shakespeare published “Romeo and Juliet” in 1597 and the name is still an absolute classic. Also, Posh and Becks chose it, which clearly adds the cool factor too.
Leonardo
Leonardo is currently the most popular Italian boys name in the U.S. (Thanks, Leo!). The fact that the name means “brave lion” doesn’t exactly make it any less amazing. We are hooked!
Alfredo
Alfredo is the authentically Italian version of the name Alfred. And don’t go there about the pasta sauce, generate all your attention to the fact that you can call him “Alfie” for short, possibly the sweetest nickname ever.
For your little girl
Mariella
Mariella is the beautiful Italian form of Mary, and means “wished-for child.”
Carmina
The Italian version of Carmen is a classic Italian name.
Elena
Elena is an incredibly popular name of Italian origin that means “bright, shining light.”
Gianna
Gianna is the female Italian version of the name John. Looking for a celeb stamp of approval? Matt Damon named his daughter Gianna, as did Kobe Bryant. There you go.
Teresa
In the 1960s, Teresa was all the rage, both in Italy and also back here on our shores. While its popularity has dipped, we are loving it once more, and just think of the cute “Tessa” nickname you can bestow upon your little lady.
Noemi
Noemi is a beautiful, unique name that means “my delight.” In Italy, the name constantly ranks in the top 20 lists of popular baby names for girls.
Alessandra
Alessandra means “defender of men” and this warrior name is becoming more common outside of Italy than inside. Supermodel and Victoria Secret angel Alessandra Ambrosio might have had something to do with this…
Lia
Lia is a pretty Italian name that likely stems from the name Rosalia or the Hebrew Leah. It means “bearer of good news,” excellent for a new baby girl.
Eliana
Eliana is a beautiful name of both Italian and Portuguese origins. And we are loving the multiple short versions available, such as Ellie, Ana and Elle. Swoon!
Arianna
Arianna, meaning chaste or holy, is one of the most popular names of Italian origin the world over, and we totally get why.
Grazie Italia! These are all SO gorge!
Tell us, would YOU go for an international name like any of these? Or do you prefer names that are a little “closer to home”? Join the conversation with us on Twitter at @Herfamilydotie
