Italian Girls' Names

Many of these are family names I really love. They're common enough in Italy, but have a unique quality in America.
  1. Caterina
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Katherine
    • Description:

      If your ancestry is Italian, you may want to consider this elegant twist on a classic.
  2. Chiara
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "light, clear"
    • Description:

      Chiara is a lovely and romantic Italian name that's familiar but not widely used here: a real winner. You might consider Chiara instead of Claire, Clara, Cara, or even Keira.
  3. Elena
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Italian, German, Greek variation of Helen
    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining light"
    • Description:

      Elena is at its most popular point ever in the US, thanks to its cross-cultural appeal and the overall popularity of El- names. It's more international than Ellen or Eleanor, but still accessible.
  4. Elisabetta
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Elizabeth
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      This version softens, feminizes, and glamorizes the long-time favorite. A fresh way to honor Grandma Betty. Elizabetta is a variation.
  5. Francesca
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Frances
    • Meaning:

      "from France or free man"
    • Description:

      Francesca is a lighter and much more feminine choice than the classic Frances, and one that is increasingly popular with upscale parents.
  6. Gemma
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "precious stone"
    • Description:

      Gemma is a jewel of a name, an Italian classic that was very popular in 1980s England, but has only recently been started to be used here; it entered the list in 2008.
  7. Giulietta
    • Isabella
      • Origin:

        Spanish and Italian variation of Elizabeth, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "pledged to God"
      • Description:

        Isabella has been a Top 10 name for girls in the US for two decades now. The Latinate form of Isabel, a variation of Elizabeth which originally derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, Isabella reigned as Number 1 in 2009 and 2010.
    • Liliana
      • Origin:

        Italian and Spanish variations of Lilian
      • Meaning:

        "lily, a flower"
      • Description:

        Frilly and fit for a princess, but with plenty of spark and flair, Liliana holds international appeal and a modern glamor. Joining Lily and Lillian in the US Top 100 for the first time in 2022, Liliana is a fast-rising choice for girls.
    • Lucia
      • Origin:

        Italian, feminine variation of Lucius, Latin
      • Meaning:

        "light"
      • Description:

        Lucia is a lush, rich Latinate equivalent of Lucy, popular in Spain and throughout Latin America and also a cross-cultural favorite. You might be surprised to know that Lucia has ALWAYS ranked among the Top 1000 girl names in the US, though she's really taken off only since the turn of this century.
    • Maddalena
      • Raffaella
        • Serafina
          • Origin:

            Italian and Spanish variation of Seraphina
          • Meaning:

            "ardent"
          • Description:

            Serafina is a name so lovely it's worthy of an angel. But the more stylish spelling today is Seraphina.
        • Sofia
          • Origin:

            Greek
          • Meaning:

            "wisdom"
          • Description:

            Sofia is a variation of the Greek name Sophia, which was derived directly from sophia, the Greek word for wisdom. It was the name of a Roman saint—the mother of Faith, Hope, and Charity—and queens of Russia and Spain.