Each person, having been born, receives a name. It can simply be chosen by parents because of beauty or popularity, the choice can be based on traditions in a country. Italian names are very popular, but not only because of their beauty, but also because the inhabitants of Italy have an unstoppable temperament.
At the level of Italian law, it is stipulated that a child must be given a first and last name at birth. It is not allowed to name the child in the same way as the father, if he is still alive, to name the child with insulting words or to give the same names as brothers and sisters have, to use the surname. You can not use geographical names, except for the word Asia, which was given to the daughter of the god Ocean.
Possible quantity
In Italy, it is allowed to give a child 3 names, for example, Mario Domenico Ferrari. In everyday life you can use any of them, at Ferrari’s work, at Mario’s house, and your friends will call Domenico. However, official documents should indicate which is most often used. For example, in the ballots you can find the following wording: “Anna Teresa Maria (known as Teresa) ...”
Rite of baptism
In Italy, the rite of baptism is of great importance. The modern Catholic Church recommends giving the child a "Christian" name, but does not oblige. However, there are no restrictions on their number. If parents want to give a name that is not included in the Catholic calendar, then another saint is added to it.
Legacy of ancient rome
Modern Italian names were formed as a result of a long historical process. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the three-part model of the name disappeared. For several centuries, Italians were content with the one and only, in extreme cases, clarifications could be added, for example, Jacopo from Arezzo or Giacomo, son of Giovanni.
Generic names and nicknames characterizing a person, turned into personal ones, for example, such as those indicated in the following table, have remained in the legacy from Ancient Rome.
Severus | Severus | Children with this name are very cheerful and sociable. They always have many friends, but there is always one for whom Severus is ready to sacrifice almost everything. Boys are able to make decisions only on the basis of a deep personal analysis of the situation. In personal terms, they prefer long-term relationships |
Julius | Iulius | This very beautiful Italian name characterizes a person as "fidget", while the love of movement does not disappear throughout life. However, Julius is often left alone, although they are not at all bothered by this situation. |
Octavian | Octavianus | Octavian is a person who is ready to make sacrifices, so there must be a person nearby, at whose feet you can “throw the whole world” |
Ursula | Ursa | In direct translation means "bear". Typically, these girls are choleric, with pronounced masculine traits. Ursula are very responsible and assertive |
Emilia | Emilia | In Latin, it sounds like a rival. As a rule, these are individuals who are always dissatisfied with themselves, while very decisive |
Wishful
In the annals of the country XIV-XV, the appearance of the so-called desirable names is recorded. In the same period, those appear that give in the hope of a serene future for the child. The following are Italian names (female and male), which are still popular:
- Contessina, Contessina, "Countess."
- Bonadonna, Bonadonna, the "kind woman."
- Benedetta, Benedetta, "noble."
- Diotisalvi, Diotisalvi, "God save you."
- Benvenuto, "Benvenuto," welcome.
- Bonfilio, Bonfiglio, "the good son."
Ancient greek heritage
Italy has always had “powerful” contacts with Byzantium; as a result of this, the country has many names borrowed from the ancient Greek language. A list of Italian names from ancient mythology and history can be found in the following table.
Caesar Cesare | This is a balanced and calm person. He has impressive intellect, but is a little fussy. Caesars adhere to high moral principles and are emotionally stable. Marry only for love |
Alexander Alessandro | Usually these are majestic boys and men. They are bold and confident, domineering. Great leaders are made from Alexandrov, they are honest and frank |
Mari Mario | As a rule, these are impulsive and romantic natures. Very fond of companies and fun and a little arrogant because of the high self-esteem |
Lavinia Lavinia | These are very reliable girls and women. They are always in authority |
Aurora Aurora | These are shy and even secretive natures. They dream a lot and avoid noisy companies, but always have friends. |
Diana Diana | These are very cheerful girls, energetic and who believe that nothing is impossible. |
Christian conversion
Presumably, Jesus Christ was born in the Roman Empire, in the province of Judea. Despite the persecution, nevertheless, the Christian faith quickly spread throughout the country and around the world. Emperor Constantine in 313 generally legalized Christianity. Therefore, in the country to this day there are many Italian names of saints and associated with Christian holidays, such as:
- Pascual, Pasquale, or Easter.
- Natale, Natale, "Christmas."
- Angel, Angelo, Arcangelo, or "Archangel".
- Romeo, Romeo, that is, the person who made the pilgrimage to Rome.
German and Scandinavian origin
In the 5th century, German and Scandinavian names appeared in Italy. For a long time they were associated with the ruling class, among the commoners almost never met. After several centuries, the situation is changing, and already among the famous medieval personalities of simple origin there are names of German and Scandinavian origin, for example, Alberto Albizzi - an ordinary merchant, Ugolino - an ordinary handyman.
The table below shows the Italian male names that appeared in the V century:
Anselm Anselmus | A man striving to dominate in everything and always. Anselmov is not afraid that the opponent is much stronger |
Albert Adalbertus | Translated from German means "brilliant." This is a skeptical and self-confident person who relies solely on their own judgments and knowledge. |
Petrus Petrus | These are necessarily very sociable and cheerful boys, they do not lose their qualities throughout life |
The table below shows Italian names for girls.
Dominica Dominicus | This is necessarily a bright and dynamic girl, but somewhat closed. As a rule, it has an analytical mindset and has excellent mathematical abilities. |
Bertha Berta | The female derivative from the male is Albert. Bertes know their worth, love to attract attention, a little boastful personality |
Marina Marina | It is found in almost all languages of the world. Girls possess magnetism and easily manipulate people. |
Felice Felicia | Women always live the way they want and do whatever they want. Felicia have tremendous willpower and never doubt their innocence |
Borrowed from literary sources
In the fourteenth century in Italy, names borrowed from literary sources began to be widely used. Indeed, during this period, the famous works of Dante and Petrarch appear, later Boyardo and Tasso, and others. Here are the Italian names of that period, preserved to this day:
- Angelica or Angelica.
- Orlando, Roland.
- Flordelise.
- Rugger or Ruggero.
- Isolde.
- Saladin.
- Ginevra.
- Lancelot.
- Clorinda.
Russian trace
Oddly enough, but there are a lot of onomatikons in the Italian language that came from Russian literature. In particular, in the XX century, the names Katya (Katia), Sonya (Sonia), Tanya (Tania) and Nadia (Nadia) appeared. In most cases, incomplete forms were used, but diminutive forms.
There is in the Italian language and the Russian name Ivan - Ivano.
Popular and famous Italian names in our century
Today in Italy there are about 1700 personal names. Naturally, popularity largely depends on the traditions that are adopted in a particular region.
The country has a National Institute of Statistics, which deals in particular with this issue, it was created back in 1926. According to the institute, it’s not the first year that one of the most popular names has been Francesca. Next are Alexandro and Andreas. Lorenzo and Mateo, Gabriel also lead. And the girls are most often called - Sofia and Julia. Next come the names of Martin and Georgia, Sarah and Emma.
Rare but very beautiful female names
- Adriana. Characterized as a girl with a difficult character, strong and strong-willed. This is an ambitious and self-confident person. Most likely, a girl with that name will grow up a real intriguer.
- Arabella. Usually women with this name are very sensitive and retain children's character traits until the end of their lives. Achieving goals is obtained with varying success due to lack of willpower. However, girls with this beautiful Italian female name can build a very successful career, as they have an excellent analytical mind and memory, and are also conceited.
- Paolina. Although there is much debate about the origin, there is even an opinion that it is of Russian origin and came from the male name Paul. These are contact personalities who always and everywhere feel good.
- Nicoletta. These are strange natures that are very active and mobile. Often incredulous and have few friends.
- Olivia. Girls with this name are making strides in science and technology. They are very hopeful and stable, do not even like to listen to other people's advice and always make decisions based only on their own intuition and understanding of the world.
- Federica. Girls with this name are modest and smart. They are rather power-hungry, but they try to please everyone.