Italian Dog Names
Italian Dog Names originate in a land steeped in culture and history.
By Janice Jones | Last Updated February 19, 2019
From The Roman Empire to the Renaissance to modern times, Italy is a beautiful country with gorgeous art, amazing architecture, enchanting cuisine and magnificent wine.
Home to some of the world’s most creative minds, we get a rich melodic language that offers us some fantastic names for our small dogs.
Whether you have a dog whose breed history can be traced back to Italy or just love the sound of the language, we have some great name ideas for you.
Maybe you just love Pizza, Pasta, or Espresso and want your dog to remind you of some of your favorite things.
This list is for you.
So enjoy some of the rich cultural heritage to accompanies these amazing dog names,
Small Dog Breeds with Origins in and Around Italy
Male Italian Dog Names
- Aberto: Nobel
- Aldo: Means Rich
- Alfredo: Counselor of the Elves
- Andrea: Manly
- Angelo: Angel
- Brando: Brilliant Raven
- Bruno: Brown Hair
- Cesare: Long Hair
- Corrado: Bold
- Dante: Lasting
- Davide: Beloved
- Elmo: Worthy to be loved
- Enea: Born Ninth
- Enzo: Rules the House
- Ernesto: Serious
- Este: From the East
- Fabio: Bean Grower
- Faust: Lucky
- Flavio: Blond
- Gabriele: God Given Strength
- Geronimo: Sacred
- Gino: Famous
- Giorgio: Farmer
- Giovanni: Gift from God
- Guido: Guide
- Ilario: Cheerful
- Lanza: Nobel
- Leo: Lion
- Leonardo: Bold Lion
- Lorenz: Laurel
- Lucca: Light
- Luigi: Famous Warrior
- Marco: Warning
- Mario: Bitter
- Matteo: Gift of God
- Michelangelo: Angel
- Orlando: Heroic
- Paolo: Little
- Pio: Pious
- Primo: First Born
- Raphael: God has healed
- Renzo: Laurel
- Ricardo: Firm Ruler
- Roberto: Fame
- Rocco: Rest
- Romano: From Rome
- Romeo: Pilgrim from Rome
- Renzo: laurel
- Rocco: Rest
- Santo: Sacred
- Sergio: Attendant
- Stefano: Crowned with Laurels
- Tino: Small
- Tito: Giant
- Ugo: Intelligent
- Valerio: Brave, Strong
- Vito: The Victor
Female Italian Dog Names
- Agata: Kind
- Aida: Happy
- Aletta: Winged
- Alonza: Ready for battle
- Angela: Angel
- Anita: Grace
- Aria: Melody
- Bambi: Child
- Belladonna: Beautiful Lady
- Beatrice: Blesses
- Belinda: Serpentine
- Bianca: White
- Bruna: Dark Haired
- Cameo: Sculptured Jewel
- Cara: Beloved friend
- Carmela: Garden
- Celia: Heaven
- Cerelia: Fertile
- Cira: The Sun
- Clariss: Clear
- Dona: Lady
- Elda: Warrior
- Elena: Light
- Esta: From the East
- Fabia: Feminine form of Fabio which means Bean Farmer
- Flavia: Blond
- Gabriella: God Given Strength
- Gemma: Jewel
- Ghita: Pearl
- Giovanna: Feminine form of Giovanni or Gift from God
- Grazia: Grace
- Isabella: Consecrated to God
- Leola: Lion
- Leonora: Light
- Liliana: Lily
- Lunetta: Little Moon
- Maria: Bitter
- Mercede: Merciful
- Mia: Wished for Child
- Mona: Lady
- Natala: Born at Christmas
- Nicia: People’s Victory
- Octavia: Born Eight
- Olympia: From Olympus
- Paola: Small
- Pia: Pious
- Pietra: Rock
- Pippa: Loves Horses
- Rachelle: Lamb
- Regina: Queen
- Renata: Rebirth
- Roma: From Rome
- Rosa: Rose
- Rosetta: Little Rose
- Rufina: Red Hair
- Serena: Serene
- Simona: One who hears
- Sofia: Wise
- Teresa: Harvester
- Terza: Born Third
- Trista: Sad
- Valentina: Brave
- Verdette: Guardian
- Violet: Flower
- Virginia: Pure
- Viviana: Alive
- Volante: Flying
Italian Dog Names Based on Cities & Locations
There are many beautiful sounding places in Italy. I've chosen the ones that are short and easy to say.
- Atri
- Vasto
- Melfi
- Forio
- Naples
- Nola
- Sarno
- Carpi
- Forli
- Lugo
- Ardea
- Fondi
- Rome
- Sora
- Como
- Cantù
- Alba
- Bari
- Bronte
- Lucca
- Venice
- Verona
Did You Know...
We can thank the Italians for many words we use commonly in English. Here are some Italian Words Used in English that might make great dog names:
- Biscuit
- Bravo
- Cappuccino
- Coda
- Colonel
- Diva
- Ditto
- Flava
- Gusto
- Largo
- Latte
- Lava
- Martini
- Oboe
- Pasta
- Pizza
- Putto (baby)
- Scampi
- Sepia
- Sienna
- Solo
- Tempo
- Trio
- Umber
- Vino
- Volt
- Zero
References
About Janice (author and voice behind this site)
Having lived with dogs and cats most of her life, Janice served as a veterinary technician for ten years in Maryland and twelve years as a Shih Tzu dog breeder in Ohio.
Her education includes undergraduate degrees in Psychology with a minor in biology, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, and a master's in Mental Health Counseling.
She is a lifelong learner, a dog lover, and passionate about the welfare of animals. Her favorite breed for over 50 years has been the Shih Tzu, but she has also lived with Poodles, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Beagles, English Bulldogs, Carin Terriers, and a Cocker Spaniel.
When not writing, reading, and researching dog-related topics, she likes to spend time with her eight Shih Tzu dogs, husband, and family, as well as knitting and crocheting. She is also the voice behind Miracle Shih Tzu and Smart-Knit-Crocheting
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