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Italian girl names: 140+ girls' and women's names with meanings and pronunciation

146 names · Updated · By The Nomezo Editors · Save to Pinterest

Popular Italian girl names include Sofia, Aurora and Ginevra, the top three names for baby girls born in Italy in 2025, according to ISTAT. Among Italian women, classics like Francesca, Chiara and Lucia are loved just as much.

Below are 140+ real Italian girls' names in ten groups: popular now, classic, Italian women's names, unique, short, vintage, saints' names, names that work in English, nature and word names, and sweet diminutives. Each name has its meaning, its language of origin and a simple English respelling. Where an origin is uncertain, the note says so.

Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks

  • Gaia

    Earth; Greek. Say GAH-yah

  • Ivana

    God is gracious; Hebrew, via the Slavic Ivan. Say ee-VAH-nah

  • Raffaella

    God heals; Hebrew. Say rahf-fah-EL-lah

  • Marta

    Lady, mistress; Aramaic. Say MAR-tah

  • Albertina

    Noble and bright; Germanic. Say ahl-bair-TEE-nah

  • Eufemia

    Words of good omen; Greek. Say eh-oo-FEH-myah

Italian name tools

Read what a surname's ending says about where a family came from, see every surname a child can take from two parents under the 2022 ruling, and check first names against the rules of Italy's civil registry.

Read a surname

  • Esposito: exposed: a name given to abandoned children, especially in Naples.
  • -o is the singular form, the usual ending in the south.

Endings are tendencies, not rules: families moved, and names travelled with them.

A child's surname from both parents

  • Rossi RussoBoth surnames, in the order the parents agree
  • Russo RossiBoth surnames, the other order
  • RossiOnly the first parent's surname, if both agree
  • RussoOnly the second parent's surname, if both agree

If the parents disagree, a judge decides. A parent with two surnames passes on one.

Would the registry accept it?

  • Andrea is a boy's name in Italy. The name must match the child's sex; courts have disagreed about Andrea for a girl.

This checks the main rules of DPR 396/2000 and is not legal advice.

Want endless ideas? Try the italian name generator and generate new names in one click.

Classic Italian girl names

Names that Italian families have loved for generations, from nonnas to new arrivals.

  1. Francesca US #307: A Frenchwoman; Latin. Say frahn-CHES-kah
  2. Alessandra US #443: Defender of men; Greek. Say ah-les-SAHN-drah
  3. Elisa US #458: God is my oath; Hebrew. Say eh-LEE-zah
  4. Federica: Peaceful ruler; Germanic. Say feh-deh-REE-kah
  5. Valentina US #35: Strong, healthy; Latin. Say vah-len-TEE-nah
  6. Silvia: Of the forest; Latin. Say SEEL-vyah
  7. Laura US #379: Laurel tree; Latin. Say LOW-rah
  8. Paola: Small, humble; Latin. Say PAH-oh-lah
  9. Cristina: Follower of Christ; Greek. Say kree-STEE-nah
  10. Daniela US #302: God is my judge; Hebrew. Say dahn-YEH-lah
  11. Simona: He has heard; Hebrew. Say see-MOH-nah
  12. Raffaella: God heals; Hebrew. Say rahf-fah-EL-lah
  13. Giovanna US #878: God is gracious; Hebrew. Say joh-VAHN-nah
  14. Elisabetta: God is my oath; Hebrew. Say eh-lee-zah-BET-tah
  15. Michela: Who is like God? From Hebrew. Say mee-KEH-lah
  16. Diana Italy #23 US #244: Divine, heavenly; Latin. Say DYAH-nah
  17. Irene US #651: Peace, tranquility; Greek. Say ee-REH-neh
  18. Marta: Lady, mistress; Aramaic. Say MAR-tah
  19. Giada: Jade, the green gemstone; Spanish. A 2000s favorite in Italy. Say JAH-dah

Italian women's names

Names you will meet among Italian moms, aunts and nonnas, many of them now rare for babies.

  1. Roberta: Bright fame; Germanic, a feminine form of Roberto. Say roh-BAIR-tah
  2. Stefania: Crown, garland; Greek. Say steh-FAH-nyah
  3. Franca: A Frenchwoman; Latin, a contracted form of Francesca. Say FRAHN-kah
  4. Cinzia: Woman from Mount Cynthus; Greek, the Italian Cynthia. Say CHEEN-tsyah
  5. Rossella: Little red one; Italian, from rossa, red. Say rohs-SEL-lah
  6. Ivana: God is gracious; Hebrew, via the Slavic Ivan. Say ee-VAH-nah
  7. Silvana: Of the woods; Latin silva, forest. Say seel-VAH-nah
  8. Gisella: Pledge; Germanic, the Italian Giselle. Say jee-ZEL-lah
  9. Dorotea: Gift of God; Greek, the Italian Dorothea. Say doh-roh-TEH-ah
  10. Domenica: Of the Lord; Latin. Also the Italian word for Sunday. Say doh-MEH-nee-kah
  11. Nunzia: Announced; Italian, short for Annunziata. Say NOON-tsyah
  12. Giuseppa: He will add; Hebrew, a feminine form of Giuseppe. Say joo-ZEP-pah
  13. Pasqualina: Of Easter; Latin, a feminine form of Pasquale. Say pahs-kwah-LEE-nah
  14. Santina: Little saint; Italian, from santo. Say sahn-TEE-nah
  15. Edvige: Battle and war; Germanic, the Italian Hedwig. Say ed-VEE-jeh
  16. Raimonda: Counsel and protection; Germanic, a feminine form of Raimondo. Say rye-MOHN-dah
  17. Maria US #87: Meaning uncertain; Hebrew, via Latin. Long the most widespread women's name in Italy. Say mah-REE-ah

Unique Italian girl names

Real Italian names with Roman, Greek or medieval roots that are rare in the US.

  1. Ottavia: The eighth; Latin. Say oht-TAH-vyah
  2. Costanza: Steadfast, constant; Latin. Say koh-STAHN-tsah
  3. Diletta: Beloved one; Latin. Say dee-LET-tah
  4. Elettra: Amber; Greek. Say eh-LET-trah
  5. Flavia: Golden, blond; Latin. Say FLAH-vyah
  6. Fulvia: Yellow, tawny; Latin. Say FOOL-vyah
  7. Fabiola: Bean; Latin. Say fah-BYOH-lah
  8. Ilaria: Cheerful, joyful; Latin. Say ee-LAH-ryah
  9. Letizia: Joy, gladness; Latin. Say leh-TEE-tsyah
  10. Benedetta: Blessed one; Latin. Say beh-neh-DET-tah
  11. Tecla: Glory of God; Greek. Say TEH-klah
  12. Orsola: Little bear; Latin. Say OR-soh-lah
  13. Eufemia: Words of good omen; Greek. Say eh-oo-FEH-myah
  14. Eugenia: Well born; Greek. Say eh-oo-JEH-nyah

Short Italian girl names

Two-syllable names that sound sweet in Italian and are easy to say anywhere.

  1. Ada US #219: Noble; Germanic. Say AH-dah
  2. Eva US #134: Living, life; Hebrew. Say EH-vah
  3. Zoe US #31: Life, living; Greek. Say DZOH-eh
  4. Dora: Gift; Greek. Say DOH-rah
  5. Luce: Light; Latin. Say LOO-cheh
  6. Iole: Violet; Greek. Say YOH-leh
  7. Pia: Dutiful, devout; Latin. Say PEE-ah
  8. Lisa US #991: God is my oath; Hebrew. Say LEE-zah
  9. Irma: Whole, great; Germanic. Say EER-mah
  10. Ines: Pure, chaste; Greek, via Spanish. Say EE-nes

Vintage Italian girl names

Grandmother names from the 1900s, many of them honoring the Virgin Mary. They are rare for babies today, which gives them retro charm.

  1. Assunta: Taken up, assumed; Latin. Honors the Assumption of Mary. Say ahs-SOON-tah
  2. Concetta: Conceived; Latin. Honors the Immaculate Conception. Say kon-CHET-tah
  3. Carmela: Garden; Hebrew. Honors Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Say kar-MEH-lah
  4. Immacolata: Immaculate; Latin. A title of the Virgin Mary. Say eem-mah-koh-LAH-tah
  5. Annunziata: Announced; Latin. Honors the Annunciation. Say ahn-noon-TSYAH-tah
  6. Giuseppina: He will add; Hebrew. Say joo-zep-PEE-nah
  7. Rosaria: Rosary; Latin. Honors Our Lady of the Rosary. Say roh-ZAH-ryah
  8. Grazia: Grace; Latin. Say GRAHT-tsyah
  9. Ornella: Flowering ash tree; Italian. Coined by the poet D'Annunzio in 1904. Say or-NEL-lah
  10. Rosalba: White rose; Latin. Say roh-ZAHL-bah
  11. Ernesta: Serious, earnest; Germanic. Say air-NES-tah
  12. Filomena: To be loved; Greek. Say fee-loh-MEH-nah

Italian saints' names for girls

Names of saints loved across Italy. Many Italians celebrate an onomastico, the feast day of their name saint.

  1. Lucia US #83: Light, brightness; Latin. Her feast day is December 13. Say loo-CHEE-ah
  2. Agata: Good one; Greek. Patron saint of Catania. Say AH-gah-tah
  3. Rosalia US #609: Rose; Latin. Patron saint of Palermo. Say roh-zah-LEE-ah
  4. Cecilia Italy #25 US #108: Blind; Latin. Patron saint of music. Say cheh-CHEE-lyah
  5. Agnese: Pure, chaste; Greek. Say ahn-YEH-zeh
  6. Rita: A pearl; Greek. Saint of Cascia. Say REE-tah
  7. Gemma US #170: Gem, precious stone; a medieval Italian name. Also the name of Dante's wife. Say JEM-mah
  8. Angela US #408: Messenger, angel; Greek. Say AHN-jeh-lah
  9. Brigida: Exalted one; Irish Gaelic. Say BREE-jee-dah
  10. Apollonia: Of Apollo; Greek. Patron saint of dentists. Say ah-pol-LOH-nyah
  11. Maddalena: Woman of Magdala; Aramaic. Say mahd-dah-LEH-nah
  12. Teodora: Gift of God; Greek. Say teh-oh-DOH-rah
  13. Anastasia US #163: Resurrection, rising again; Greek. Say ah-nah-STAH-zyah

Italian girl names that work in English

Italian names English speakers already know how to say and spell.

  1. Isabella US #7: God is my oath; Hebrew. Say ee-zah-BEL-lah
  2. Gianna US #33: God is gracious; Hebrew, short for Giovanna. Say JAHN-nah
  3. Serena US #325: Serene, calm; Latin. Say seh-REH-nah
  4. Stella US #52: A star; Latin. Say STEL-lah
  5. Gabriella US #105: God is my strength; Hebrew. Say gah-bree-EL-lah
  6. Clara US #63: Clear, bright; Latin. Say KLAH-rah
  7. Giorgia Italy #20: Farmer, earth worker; Greek. Say JOR-jah
  8. Valeria US #162: To be strong; Latin. Say vah-LEH-ryah
  9. Emilia US #45: Rival, striving to equal; Latin. Say eh-MEE-lyah
  10. Alessia US #326: Defender, helper; Greek. Say ah-LES-syah
  11. Gloria US #655: Glory, renown; Latin. Say GLOH-ryah
  12. Angelica US #708: Angelic; Latin. Say ahn-JEH-lee-kah
  13. Luciana US #273: Light, brightness; Latin. Say loo-CHAH-nah
  14. Natalia US #144: Born on Christmas Day; Latin. Say nah-TAH-lyah
  15. Anita: Favor, grace; Hebrew, via Spanish. Say ah-NEE-tah
  16. Priscilla US #544: Ancient; Latin. Say pree-SHEEL-lah
  17. Aurelia US #290: Golden; Latin. Say ow-REH-lyah

Italian nature and word names for girls

Names that are also everyday Italian words for colors, gems, light and happy feelings.

  1. Azzurra Italy #15: Azure, sky blue; Italian. Say ahd-DZOOR-rah
  2. Ambra Italy #19: Amber; Arabic. Say AHM-brah
  3. Perla: Pearl; Italian. Say PEHR-lah
  4. Nives: Snows; Latin. Honors Our Lady of the Snows. Say NEE-ves
  5. Margherita Italy #28: A pearl; Greek. Also the Italian word for daisy. Say mar-geh-REE-tah
  6. Celeste US #188: Heavenly, of the sky; Latin. Say cheh-LES-teh
  7. Luna US #27: The moon; Latin. Say LOO-nah
  8. Allegra: Cheerful, lively; Italian. Say ahl-LEH-grah
  9. Fiamma: A flame; Italian. Say FYAHM-mah
  10. Gioia: Joy; Italian. Say JOY-ah
  11. Speranza: Hope; Italian. Say speh-RAHN-tsah

Sweet Italian diminutive names

Italian adds -etta, -ella and -ina to make a name small and affectionate. These diminutives are full names in their own right.

  1. Simonetta: He has heard; Hebrew. Say see-moh-NET-tah
  2. Nicoletta: Victory of the people; Greek. Say nee-koh-LET-tah
  3. Fiammetta: Little flame; Italian. A heroine of Boccaccio. Say fyahm-MET-tah
  4. Violetta: Violet flower; Latin. Say vyoh-LET-tah
  5. Paolina: Small, humble; Latin. Say pow-LEE-nah
  6. Lucilla: Little light; Latin. Say loo-CHEEL-lah
  7. Donatella: Given; Latin. Say doh-nah-TEL-lah
  8. Fiorella: Little flower; Italian. Say fyoh-REL-lah
  9. Graziella: Grace; Latin. Say grah-TSYEL-lah
  10. Adelina US #304: Noble one; Germanic. Say ah-deh-LEE-nah
  11. Albertina: Noble and bright; Germanic. Say ahl-bair-TEE-nah

How to pick the right name

Say it the Italian way

Italian usually stresses the second-to-last syllable: Francesca is frahn-CHES-kah. Read the respelling out loud with your last name before you choose.

Keep the double letters

Double consonants are held a little longer in Italian, as in Allegra, Gemma and Donatella. Keep them in the spelling so the name sounds right.

Look at the diminutive

Italian families love affectionate forms: Fiamma becomes Fiammetta and Giovanna gives Gianna. A name with a sweet short form grows up well.

Check the onomastico

In Italy many people celebrate an onomastico, the feast day of the saint who shares their name, as well as their birthday. A saint's name gives your daughter two special days.

Italian girl names: 146 ideas from Nomezo

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Italian girl names in Italy and in the US: the rankings, the vanishing nonna names, and the name days

By The Nomezo Editors · Updated October 25, 2026 · How we research names

Sofia has been Italy's No. 1 girls' name every year since 2010, but with far fewer babies: 8,922 Italian girls got it in 2010 and 4,389 in 2025. In the US, Italian names are having a moment of their own: Sofia, Aurora, Valentina, Elena and Lucia all reached their highest US ranks ever in 2025.

Italian naming rules surprise Americans too: a girl cannot be given the name of a living sister. The tools above check a name against Italy's registry rules, and the tag beside each name shows its rank in Italy and the US.

  1. Step 1Pick Italian or American popularGinevra is No. 3 in Italy; only 17 US girls got it.
  2. Step 2Say it the Italian wayEach note has a respelling; stress the second-to-last syllable.
  3. Step 3Check the rulesUp to three names that match the sex: the registry check tests them.
  4. Step 4Find the name dayMany Italians celebrate their saint's day.

Italy and the US like different Italian names

  • Sofia's run. Giulia led Italy from 2003 to 2009 and Sofia every year since 2010 (ISTAT).
  • Regions differ. For 2024 births, Sofia led most of the centre and north, Vittoria led in Marche and Campania, Ginevra in Lazio and Calabria, and Aurora in Sicily (ISTAT).
Italy's top 10 girls' names of 2025, and their US use
NameItalyUS, 2025
Sofia#1 (4,389 girls)#9, its highest ever
Aurora#2#15, its highest ever
Ginevra#317 girls
Vittoria#461 girls
Beatrice#5#508
Giulia#6203 girls
Matilde#727 girls
Ludovica#8Fewer than 5
Alice#9#65
Camilla#10#361

Sources: ISTAT, babies born in 2025; US Social Security Administration. Valentina (#35), Elena (#42), Lucia (#83), Gemma (#170) and Francesca (#307) also reached their highest US ranks in 2025.

The nonna names that vanished

Maria and Anna headed a count of Italian women's names from 1981 phone directories, followed by Giuseppina, Rosa and Angela (Treccani/)). Names honoring the Virgin Mary are now rare for babies: Concetta went from 258 Italian girls in 1999 to 17 in 2025 (ISTAT). Meanwhile Azzurra, sky blue, reached No. 15.

Italy's naming rules

  • Up to three names, and they must match the child's sex (DPR 396/2000, art. 35).
  • No living sister's name. A child cannot be given the name of a living father or a living brother or sister, a surname as a first name, or a ridiculous name (art. 34).

Name days

Many Italians celebrate an onomastico, the feast of the saint who shares their name (Wikipedia).

Name days for some Italian girls' names
NameSaintName day
AgataSaint Agatha, patron of CataniaFebruary 5
FrancescaSaint Frances of RomeMarch 9
RitaSaint Rita of CasciaMay 22
AnnaSaint AnneJuly 26
ChiaraSaint Clare of AssisiAugust 11
RosaliaSaint Rosalia, patron of PalermoSeptember 4
CeciliaSaint Cecilia, patron of musicNovember 22
LuciaSaint LucyDecember 13

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular Italian girl name?

Sofia was the most popular name for baby girls born in Italy in 2025, according to ISTAT, and it has been No. 1 every year since 2010. Aurora, Ginevra, Vittoria and Beatrice completed the top five.

How do you pronounce Italian girl names?

Italian is spelled the way it sounds. Stress usually falls on the second-to-last syllable, ci sounds like chee (Lucia is loo-CHEE-ah) and gi sounds like j (Giorgia is JOR-jah).

What are some unique Italian girl names?

Ottavia, Elettra, Tecla, Costanza and Orsola are real Italian names that are rare even in Italy: Tecla went to 43 baby girls in 2025. Each one has a clear meaning and a long history.

Why do so many Italian girl names end in a?

Most feminine names in Italian end in -a, while most masculine names end in -o or -e. That is why Francesco becomes Francesca and Paolo becomes Paola.

What are common Italian women's names?

Maria and Anna headed a count of Italian women's names from 1981 phone directories, cited by the Treccani encyclopedia, followed by Giuseppina, Rosa, Angela and Giovanna. Many of these are now rare for babies.

Can you name a daughter after her sister in Italy?

Not if the sister is alive. Italy's civil registry rules forbid giving a child the name of a living father, brother or sister. A child can have up to three names, matching the child's sex.

Which Italian girl names are popular in the US?

Sofia (No. 9 in 2025), Aurora (No. 15), Valentina (No. 35), Elena (No. 42) and Lucia (No. 83), all at their highest US ranks ever. Italy's own favorites like Ginevra and Matilde are still rare in the US.

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