300+ Italian Last Names with Meanings (A–Z Guide for 2025)
Italy is a beautiful country and people living their are hardworking and passionate and it is also known for its rich culture. One of the most captivating parts of Italian heritage is its naming tradition. This guide features 300+ Italian last names with meanings, perfect for exploring Italian names that are suitable for everything from family trees to pets and fictional characters.
Why Choose Italian Last Names?
Italian surnames often come from occupations, places, character traits, or ancestral roots. These names can be meaningful, elegant, and versatile great for naming different generation names, baby boy names or girls, or even pet names. From fierce and noble to sweet and romantic, Italian last names carry history and personality.
Italian Names: History and Charm
Italian names often derive from Latin, Greek, or old regional dialects. Many surnames are rooted in occupation (Ferrari -blacksmith), geography (Napolitano from Naples), or personal attributes (Bianchi– white/fair-haired). These last names are identifiers and they’re miniature biographies.
Italy is a country rich in culture, tradition, and family values and Italian names reflect that beautifully. From romantic surnames to strong masculine titles, these names tell stories of regions, professions, virtues, and love.
A – Italian Last Names Starting with A
- Abate – Priest or abbot
- Accardi – Brave, bold
- Agosti – Derived from Augustus, “great”
- Albani – From Albania or white
- Alessandri – Defender of mankind
- Amato – Beloved
- Amici – Friends
- Anastasi – Resurrection
- Andretti – Manly or brave
- Antonelli – Worthy of praise
B – Italian Last Names Starting with B
- Baldini – Brave, bold
- Bambini – Little child
- Barbieri – Barber
- Basile – Kingly
- Benedetti – Blessed
- Bernardi – Strong as a bear
- Bianchi – White, fair
- Bianco – White
- Biondi – Blonde
- Bocelli – Small mouth
C – Italian Last Names Starting with C
- Capri – From the island of Capri
- Caputo – Head or leader
- Carbone – Coal
- Caruso – Boy or apprentice
- Cattaneo – Captain or chief
- Cavalli – Horses
- Cellini – Little sky
- Conti – Count, noble
- Coppola – Hat maker
- Costa – Coast or rib
D – Italian Last Names Starting with D
- D’Amico – From the friend
- D’Angelo – Of the angel
- De Luca – Son of Luke
- De Santis – Of the saints
- De Rosa – Of the rose
- Delfino – Dolphin
- Di Matteo – Son of Matthew
- Di Stefano – Son of Stephen
- Donati – Given
- Duranti – Enduring, lasting
E – Italian Last Names Starting with E
- Esposito – Exposed or foundling
- Ercolani – From Hercules
- Errico – Ruler of the home
- Esposito – One who was adopted
- Evangelista – Evangelist or preacher
- Eboli – From the town of Eboli
- Erba – Grass or herb
- Enea – From Aeneas
- Emilio – Rival
- Ettore – Loyal or steadfast
F – Italian Names Starting with F
- Fabbri – Blacksmith
- Falcone – Falcon
- Ferrari – Blacksmith or ironworker
- Fiorentino – From Florence
- Fiorini – Little flower
- Fontana – Fountain or spring
- Foschi – Dark or shady
- Franco – Free
- Furlan – From Friuli
- Fusco – Dark-haired
G – Italian Names Starting with G
- Gallo – Rooster
- Gambino – Little leg
- Gatti – Cats
- Genovese – From Genoa
- Giordano – From the Jordan River
- Giorgi – Farmer
- Grasso – Fat or large
- Greco – Greek
- Guarino – Guardian or protector
- Guidi – Guide or leader
H – Last Names Starting with H
- Hauser – House owner (German origin but found in Italy)
- Hernando – Bold voyager (rare in Italian context)
- Hidalgo – Noble (adopted Spanish name)
- Honorio – Honored
- Helio – Sun (Greek-Italian)
- Henrico – Ruler of the house
- Hoppa – Rare, means jumper
- Heredi – Inheritor
- Hardi – Brave
- Hoffa – Farmer
I – Last Names Starting with I
- Imbriani – Quick or agile
- Inglese – Englishman
- Ippoliti – From horses
- Iorio – Farmer or farmer’s son
- Iovine – Young person
- Iacobelli – Son of Jacob
- Iannone – God is gracious
- Iezzi – God saves
- Ignazio – Fire or fervor
- Iacono – Son of Iacob
J – Italian Last Names Starting with J
- Jacovelli – Son of Jacob
- Jaconi – God has favored
- Janni – Form of Giovanni, “God is gracious”
- Jorio – Variant of Iorio, “farmer”
- Jovino – Young, youthful
- Juliano – Youthful or descended from Julius
- Januario – January or born in January
- Jesolo – From Jesolo (town)
- Jonchi – Derived from a reed or rush plant
- Jovane – Young man
K – Last Names Starting with K
- Kastelli – Castle, fortress
- Karuso – Variant of Caruso
- Kataldi – Brave in battle
- Kamerini – From Camerino
- Krupi – Hooked nose or curve
- Konsoli – From “console,” noble envoy
- Klemente – Gentle, merciful
- Kovari – Smith or metal worker
- Kalvino – Bald or fair
- Kovino – Blacksmith (Slavic-Italian hybrid)
L – Italian Names Starting with L
- Lombardi – From Lombardy
- Leonardi – Brave as a lion
- Longo – Tall or long
- Lisi – Lily flower
- Luciano – Light
- Lazzari – Form of Lazarus, “God has helped”
- Lagorio – From the lake
- Latina – From the region of Latium
- Lotti – Little or beloved
- Lucci – Light or shining
M – Italian Names Starting with M
- Mancini – Left-handed
- Martini – Of Mars, warlike
- Moretti – Dark-haired
- Monti – Mountains
- Marino – From the sea
- Milani – From Milan
- Mazza – Club or hammer
- Mazzanti – Mace-wielder
- Morandi – Dark-skinned
- Migliore – The best
N – Italian Names Starting with N
- Napolitano – From Naples
- Neri – Black or dark
- Negri – Black-haired
- Nicoletti – Victory of the people
- Notaro – Notary or clerk
- Navarro – Navigator
- Natale – Born on Christmas
- Naldi – Daring
- Nocera – From the town of Nocera
- Narducci – Strong or brave
O – Italian Names Starting with O
- Orlando – Famous land
- Oliva – Olive
- Ottaviani – Eighth-born
- Onofri – Defender of peace
- Occhipinti – Painted eyes
- Orsini – Bear-like
- Olivieri – Olive tree
- Oppido – From Oppido, a place name
- Orfei – From Orpheus, musical
- Occhiuto – Sharp-eyed
P – Italian Names Starting with P
- Pellegrini – Pilgrim
- Piras – Pear tree
- Pugliese – From Puglia
- Parisi – From Paris
- Pasquale – Born at Easter
- Pace – Peace
- Paolini – Little Paul
- Palumbo – Dove
- Pappalardo – Loud eater
- Petrucci – Little Peter
Q – Italian Names Starting with Q
- Quaglia – Quail
- Quattrocchi – Four eyes
- Quinto – Fifth-born
- Quercioli – Little oak
- Quaranta – Forty
- Quinci – From the city of Vinci
- Quadri – Square or frame
- Quercia – Oak
- Quintavalle – Fifth valley
- Quinzani – Fifteenth-born
R – Last Names Starting with R
- Rossi – Red-haired
- Ricci – Curly-haired
- Romano – From Rome
- Rinaldi – Wise ruler
- Rossetti – Little red one
- Ruggeri – Famous spear
- Rizzo – Curly
- Ravelli – Ravine or valley
- Russo – Redhead
- Raimondi – Wise protector
S – Italian Names Starting with S
- Santoro – Holy
- Sartori – Tailor
- Sanna – Tooth
- Serafini – Angelic
- Siciliano – From Sicily
- Silvestri – Forest dweller
- Simonetti – Little Simon
- Speranza – Hope
- Sordi – Deaf
- Spada – Sword
T – Italian Names Starting with T
- Toscano – From Tuscany
- Tomasini – Twin
- Tarantino – From Taranto
- Taddei – Gift of God
- Tramonti – Sunset or mountain path
- Taverna – Innkeeper
- Tortora – Dove
- Taviani – Related to Taviano
- Terenzi – From Terentius
- Tonelli – Little Tony
U – Italian Names Starting with U
- Ugolini – From Ugo, “mind or spirit”
- Uccello – Bird
- Ulisse – From Ulysses, hero
- Umbriani – From Umbria
- Ursi – Bear
- Ugolino – Little Hugh
- Ulivieri – Olive grower
- Ubertini – Bright, intelligent
- Ursini – Bear-like
- Ussani – From Ussana
V – Last Names Starting with V
- Vitale – Full of life
- Venezia – From Venice
- Verdi – Green
- Valente – Brave or strong
- Vittorini – Victory
- Villani – Villager
- Volpe – Fox
- Vaccaro – Cowherd
- Vigna – Vineyard
- Ventresca – Belly (used figuratively)
W, X, Y, Z – Rare Italian Names
- Zanetti – God is gracious
- Zampa – Paw or leg
- Zucconi – Little squash
- Zanardi – Gift of God
- Zappia – Hoe, digger
- Zanella – Little John
- Zarrella – Form of Zara
- Zeni – Descendant of Zeno
- Zoppi – Lame
- Zorzi – Farmer
Italian Boy Names (Strong & Masculine)
Many Italian boy names make powerful last names too, symbolizing strength, legacy, and valor. Here are masculine Italian names with bold meanings:
- Ferrari – Blacksmith
- Grimaldi – Bold protector
- Marino – From the sea
- Romano – From Rome
- Giordano – Descendant of Jordan
- De Niro – Black (famous surname)
- Rossi – Red-haired
- Ricci – Curly-haired
- Moretti – Dark-haired
- Barzini – Noble warrior
Italian Girl Names (Elegant & Feminine)
Italian girl names often double as romantic or elegant last names. Here are some delicate and graceful surnames:
- Fiorini – Little flower
- Rosa – Rose
- Bianchi – White or fair
- Gentile – Gentle
- Bella – Beautiful
- Vitale – Full of life
- Serafini – Angelic
- Zanetti – Graceful
- Clementi – Merciful
- Dolci – Sweet
Italian Names for Lovers (Romantic & Meaningful)
Use these Italian names for lovers that evoke warmth and affection:
- Amato – Beloved
- Caruso – Dear boy
- Cuore – Heart
- Bambino/Bambina – Baby boy/girl
- Dolcezza – Sweetness
- Tesoro – Treasure
- Innamorato – Lover
- Passione – Passion
- Caro/Cara – Dear
- Romano – Romantic/Roman
Italian Names for Husband (Strong & Affectionate)
Here are Italian names for husband surnames and nicknames that are symbols of love and strength:
- Capo – Leader
- Fedele – Faithful
- Amore – Love
- Reale – Royal
- Marito – Husband
- Gigante – Giant
- Guido – Guide
- Sincero – Honest
- Luciano – Light
- Salvatore – Savior
Italian Names for Dogs (Cute & Bold)
These last names sound great as pet names and reflect personality.
- Lupo – Wolf
- Fiero – Proud
- Nero – Black
- Bello – Beautiful
- Zampa – Paw
- Piccolo – Small
- Rocco – Rest
- Tito – Giant
- Zorro – Fox
- Bruno – Brown
Final Words
The journey through 300+ Italian last names showcases the deep connections between identity and culture. Each name on this list holds significance, offering insights into the lives of those who bore them. This A–Z guide serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the essence of Italian heritage. Embrace the stories behind these names and let them inspire your own exploration of family roots.
