by Paola Fanutti

Created on: November 24, 2007

All countries have traditions and sources that determine how children will be named, and Italian parents have some options in the name selection process.

If the parents wish to respect Italian naming traditions, they need not even select their child's name, as the child will acquire the name of an existing relative as follows:

*The first male is named after his paternal grandfather.

The second male is named after his maternal grandfather.
The first female is named after her paternal grandmother.
The second female is named after her maternal grandmother.*

But since most Italians are departing from custom, they often select original names from various sources.

Some Italian parents choose popular Italian names that are Latin, such as Giulio or Marco, and existed in ancient Rome before their assimilation into Christianity and the Italian language. These names, still prevalent, have been used for hundreds of years.

Some Italian parents choose popular names that are foreign, such as Christian or Mirko, and have been introduced into Italian culture but have not assimilated into the Italian language. As Italian immigration infuses an influx of new names, some parents choose names in this category.

But the majority of Italian parents choose popular Italian names that are religious, and the Catholic Church is the supply source of most names. This surprises some who observe many irreligious Italians in modern Italy. However, the custom of naming children after saints is still so widespread, that Italians celebrate the feast day of the saint after whom they are named, as their 'onomastico' or name day. This religiously based practice is still popular, since the onomastico' in Italy, despite its religious origin, is a secular festivity akin to an Italian's birthday.

As consequence of this cultural custom in Italy, religious names are preferred, even by non-religious parents. Currently, the five most popular male and female names in Italy have a religious significance. Because of naming traditions, Italian names tend to repeat themselves in families, so the below names have become familiar to almost everyone, even to those largely unfamiliar with Italian culture.

*Most Diffused Male Names*

1) Giuseppe-Hebrew, "God will increase", name of foster father of Jesus
Famous Italian - Giuseppe Garibaldi (politician)
2) Giovanni-Hebrew, "God is graceful", name of saint
Famous Italian - Giovanni Caboto (explorer)
3) Antonio-Greek, "Worthy of Praise", name of saint
Famous Italian - Antonio Vivaldi

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