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  • Writer's pictureDelphina Moon

Italian Boy Names

Italian baby boy names have plenty of charm and romantic elegance, and many of them end in that much sought after -o sound that many families are after. If you’re looking to find some Italian boy names with potential beyond Luca, then you’re in luck! Whether you’re just after an ending in -o boy name that isn’t going to be as big as Milo or want to sprinkle some of your heritage into the name of your baby boy, this list is sure to help. Today, I’m taking a look at some of the most promising Italian boy names that you’ll hopefully adore. But that’s enough explanation: let’s get into the article!


Leonardo- Leo got snatched up quickly, a perky and strong baby boy name with connections to lions and popular baby naming trends. But if you’re more of the full-name type like me, Leonardo is a wonderful and Italian option to consider. Sure, there’s Leonardo DiCaprio and Leonardo DaVinci, who a solid half of the people you reveal this name to might point out, but that's not necessarily a bad association, right? Leonardo gives you all of the trendy potential for Leo yet the more historical vibes of Leonardo. He’s not exactly the ideal popularity substitute, though. Despite Leo being doubly popular at #40, #86 is still a rough number for some parents to think over. However, as more young Leonardo's begin to pop up, it’s likely that you may not get as many strange looks or DiCaprio/DaVinci references as you may fear.


Romeo- One of the members of the famed unfortunate couple in Shakespeare’s legendary Romeo and Juliet, this soft, multicultural, and romantic possibility may need a rethink. He has the -o ending of course, led by the gentle and sweet sounds of girl name favorite Mia and topped off with a tried and true Ro- beginning that has succeeded for centuries with Rose. He’s a name composed of many feminine elements, yet his sound is very beautifully masculine, making him truly a one of a kind baby name that definitely deserves a history beyond the doomed fate of the character with the name. At the moment he ranks at #346, but if you’re looking for a rarity, I would caution against him for his potential to soar. I think Romeo is going places in upcoming years, and I’m excited to see him break free of the 300s and possibly break 200 in a couple years.


Luciano- Want a familiar, easily spelled alternative to the wildly popular Luca, yet still preserving the Italian aspect? Let me kindly introduce you to your new friend, Luciano. A handsome variation of the Luca/Luke/Lucas names that have been widely adored for their friendly vibes and bright, cheery meaning, Luciano ranks at a comfortably un-popular, yet not weirdly rare or questionable and strange #465. His opportune popularity makes him a wonderful option for many families, and perhaps yours can say the same. Pronunciation, though, is a bit of a tricky issue. There’s team Loo-chan-oh, which is the correct Italian pronunciation, and the more intuitive (at least where I live and with my accent) Loo-see-ahn-oh. And thanks to the Louk sound in the other Luke/Luc names, you're bound to come across a couple Louk-ee-ahn-ohs in addition to Loush-ee-ahn-ohs, so that’s definitely a hurdle to consider.


Emiliano- Amelia was a huge hit for baby girls, and parents began to look for that sought-after alternative baby name. Instead, Emilia, the alternative spelling that blended fans of Emma and Emily and those Amelia fans into a visually appealing way of showing Amelia, rose to power. And her Italian masculine form, Emiliano, could fly onto the trend train as well. He fits the Em- craze of the girls beautifully, and of course, has that elegant Italian touch accompanied by the telltale -o sound. With Emily and Emma beginning to fall from their high perches on the charts for girls, could the Em- beginning seize a moment for team blue? Emiliano, who currently sits at a very promising #175, has been rising fairly consistently over the past few years, making his potential high.


Salvatore- A simple yet stately and sophisticated baby boy name with the intuitive nickname Sal and very little name-sharing potential, Salvatore is an Italian boy name that checks plenty of boxes for many parents. A lengthy, four syllable choice that feels fit romantic and Italian at its peak, it’s a surprise that Salvatore only ranks at #856. His Spanish sound-alike, Salvador, unfortunately tops him, making this spelling less well known. However, this Italian version meaning “savior” seems like a wonderful choice for a modern day baby boy of Spanish or Porteguese descent (the origin nations of Salvador) or a little Italian baby boy.


Rocco- A peppy baby boy name with ideal sweet spot popularity and the approval of Madonna (obviously the most important qualification when choosing a name for your son), Rocco is a glorious option for many expanding families with a little one (or two or three or..) on the way. As I mentioned previously, Madonna actually chose this name for her son, who is now 20 years old, a great guy to look up if you’re having issues picturing Rocco on a young adult. He currently ranks at a comfortable #499, about halfway between decently rare and mega-popular, the perfect place for many parents striving to fulfill their need for a name that won’t repeat but won’t sound made-up or completely foreign. And despite his meaning of “rest”, Rocco feels quite upbeat and energetic, particularly with the nickname of Rocky.


Cosimo- If you’re looking for an Italian baby boy name that doesn’t fall within the top 1000 baby names, then Cosimo might be a possibility to consider. Aside from his cool rarity, Cosimo is fairly simply spelled, and I doubt you’ll have too much trouble with pronunciation and spelling. And those space vibes! Cosimo feels utterly galactic, along with his feminine form Cosima (which is equally swoon-worthy), giving him that perpetually stylish space imagery, similar to that of Luna or Nova. And your little Cosimo would have the same name as multiple dukes and historical figures, but not any of the other kids at his school. Only a shocking 14 little baby boys were gifted this name last year, making the odds extraordinarily unlikely that one of them would land in the same social circle as your little one.


Thank you all so much for reading, and I hope you enjoyed, and maybe even reunited with an old favorite or discovered something new. Farewell!


Sincerely,


-Delphina Moon


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