Naming traditions vary around the world. Some countries list surnames before first names; some pass the surnames of both the mother and father on to the children.
Not all Italians have middle names. It’s quite common for Italians to have just a “nome” (first name) and a “cognome” (surname).[1]
Further complicating matters, there are traditions surrounding which specific names to choose for children based on their birth order or local customs.
One might choose the name of a saint that has a connection to the child’s birthplace or birthday. Or, they might follow conventions like naming the first male after his paternal grandfather and the first female after her paternal grandmother.
Ancient Roman naming conventions were different as well, including a “praenomen” (personal name), “nomen” (family/clan name), and “cognomen” (family branch nickname).[2]
Below, we list various Italian middle names to choose from for boys and girls. Scroll past the list for tips on choosing the perfect middle name.
Traditional Options
Historically, Italian middle names have been religious and come from the following inspirations:
Locality
In this case, the middle name is inspired by the name of the patron saint of the city or town where the child is born.[3]
You can also get inspiration from the patron saint of a different city that’s significant to the family, such as the ancestral home or the city where the child’s parents married.
Examples:
- Gabriella:
after Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, patron saint of Abruzzo - Francesco:
after Francis of Assisi - Alexandra:
after Alexander of Bergamo - Matteo:
after Matthew the Apostle, patron saint of Salerno - Catherine:
after St. Catherine of Siena
Calendar of Saints
The Calendar of Saints features saints and holy figures associated with each day of each year.
You can choose a name inspired by the saint appearing on the Calendar either on the day the child is born or the day after.[3][4]
Examples:
- Cecilia:
after Saint Cecilia - Maria:
after Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska - Teresa:
after Saint Teresa of Avila - Antonio:
after Saint Antonio de Sant’Anna Galvao - Lorenzo:
after Saint Lorenzo Ruiz
Names for Girls
If you don’t want to choose a name based on a saint, the following names are commonly used as middle names for girls in Italian culture:
Gianna
Rosa
Giulia
Alba
Diletta
Stella
Sole
Maria
Vittoria
Luisa
Carla
Berta
Giuliana
Sofia
Lucrezia
Emilia
Pietra
Roberta
Antonia
Francesca
Raffaella
Anna
Isabella
Names for Boys
If you’d rather just choose a name you like than one based on locality or the Calendar of Saints, the following are some traditional Italian names that commonly appear as middle names for boys:
Carmine
Alberto
Leonardo
Umberto
Filippo
Valerio
Carlo
Emiliano
Angelo
Giorgio
Paolo
Antonio
Benedetto
Donato
Giuseppe
Lorenzo
Ottavio
Vincenzo
Bruno
Dante
Gianni
Flavio
Dario
Enzo
Fabrizio
Massimo
Luca
Andrea
Norberto
Vittorio
Italian Middle Name Generator
Tips for Choosing an Italian Middle Name
Choosing a great name takes a lot of thought and consideration!
Keep these tips in mind while trying to choose the perfect name:
- Consider the impact of the name. Think about things like whether having a longer name or a hard-to-pronounce middle name will complicate a child’s life as they get older. If you live or plan to live in Italy, for example, a child with multiple names will need to include all of their names on official documents like marriage certificates and business contracts throughout their life.[3]
- Match the middle name to the first name. While both names are important on their own, they should also sound good together. You can simply choose a pairing that sounds good to you or get inspiration from a classic Italian composite name like “Gianluca” (Gianni + Luca) or “Rosanna” (Rosa + Anna).
- Get inspiration from your family. Italian names tend to be passed down through families. It’s common to see family trees where every generation has several Giuseppes or Marias, for example. Consider choosing a middle name shared by a parent, grandparent, or beloved aunt or uncle.
- Choose something meaningful. Names with stories behind them are great because as a child gets older, their parent or guardian can share the inspiration with them and tell them why their name is so special.
- Follow conventions as closely or loosely as you wish. At the end of the day, traditions are important, but not as important as choosing a name you’ll be happy with long-term! If something unconventional or unique seems like a better fit, follow your instincts.
77 Best Imaginary Friend Names (Curated & Ranked) + Generator
53 Best Nicknames for Teachers (Curated & Ranked) + Generator
51 Best Nicknames for Coffee Lovers (Curated & Ranked) + Generator
Top 37 Funny Ghost Names (Curated & Ranked) + Generator
73 Best Inspirational License Plate Sayings (Curated & Ranked) + Generator
Top 51 Funny Names for Foodies (Curated & Ranked) + Generator
83 Best Car Names for Honda, Audi, etc (Curated & Ranked) + Generator
57 Best Fishing Boat Names (Curated & Ranked) + Generator
109 Best Words to Describe Photography: Adjectives, Styles, etc (Curated & Ranked)
Top 173 Funny & Cool Walkie Talkie Code Names (Curated & Ranked) + Generator
Top 67 Cool Clubhouse Names (Curated & Ranked) + Generator
