Italian Dog Names

When you are looking for a name for your new dog, it can be a fun way to honor your heritage. Especially if you’re Italian. Naming your dog is a great time to show off your love for Italy and show off your Italian background.

Some of the most well-known Italian dog breeds are the Bolognese, Cane Corso, Italian greyhound, and the Neapolitan mastiff. There are a ton of Italian names and phrases that can be a perfect fit for your new pup. Here are a few of our favorites that will give your dog a unique Italian name that will stand out at the dog park.

How do you find the right Italian name for your new dog?

It really doesn’t matter what type of breed the dog is, there are plenty of fun Italian names to choose from. There are classic Italian names like Lorenzo and Anita or funny options like Piccolo and Linguine that may match the dog’s personality better. 

One tip that helps when you are picking a name for your dog is to look for something that is easy to say and will be distinctive and recognizable if you have to shout it out at the dog park. Any name that is too much of a mouthful can get your dog confused. Overall, consider what is unique about your dog, so you can give him as serious or as goofy a name as he is.

Tips for Naming Your New Puppy

There is a lot to consider when choosing a name for your new dog. You can easily feel overwhelmed, so remember to keep it simple and fun, which will help make the selection process easier.

• Don’t settle for a name that you are not in love with. You need to love the name you choose for your dog.
• A name that ends with a vowel is easier for your dog to learn. Dogs can better distinguish between high frequencies ranges higher, so if there is a vowel at the ending, it will add the intonation that is easier for your dog to understand and hear.
• Avoid negative or offensively-connotated words for a name. If it’s not fun having a name you don’t feel comfortable telling your neighbor or vet, then it’s probably not the best choice.
• A one or two-syllable name is also easier to say. A long name can be difficult, particularly during training.  
• Avoid names that can get confused with a command.

Fun Italian Dog Names for Your New Pup

• Lupo – Means wolf
• Pelo – Means fur
• Alto – Means tall
• Leona – Means Lion
• Tino – Means small  
• Bella – Means beautiful
• Toro – Means bull
• Baffi – Means mustache
• Zitto – Means quiet
• Dolce – Means sweet
• Bacio – Means kiss
• Nero
• Vespa
• Lucca
• Farfalle
• Geronimo

Italian Dog Names for Boys

• Aldo – Means rich
• Ambrosi – Means immortal
• Angelo – Means angel
• Antonio – Means beyond praise
• Arturo – Means bear
• Aria – Means melody
• Carlo – Means manly
• Colombo
• Corrado – Means bold
• Dante – Means lasting
• Donatello – Means gift
• Dona – Means lady
• Egidio – Means squire
• Elmo – Means someone worthy to be loved
• Enrico – Means rules the house
• Enzo – Same as Enrico
• Ernesto – Means serious
• Ettore – Means loyal
• Fabio – Means bean grower
• Faust – Means lucky
• Flavio – Means blond
• Giuliano – Means youthful
• Giuseppe – Means he shall add
• Ignazio – Means fiery
• Ilario – Means cheerful
• Leone – Means bold lion
• Lorenz – Means laurel 
• Lorenzo – This is a variant of Lorenz
• Lucio – Means light
• Pasquale – Means born of Passover
• Pascal – Same as Pasquale
• Piero – Means rock  
• Pippino – Means he adds
• Primo – Means firstborn
• Renzo – Means laurel
• Ricard – Means firm ruler
• Rinaldo – Means wise and powerful male
• Roberto – Means wide fame
• Rocco – Means battle cry
• Romano – Means from Rome
• Romeo – Means pilgrim from Rome
• Ruggero – Means famous spear
• Tito – Means giant
• Tommaso – Means twin
• Ugo – Means intelligent

Italian Dog Names for Girl Dogs

• Allegra – Means joyful
• Alonza – Means battle ready
• Amalea – Means hard working
• Anita – Means grace
• Bambi – Means child
• Baptiste – Named after John the Baptist
• Belinda – Means serpentine
• Benedetta – Means blessed
• Cira – Means sun
• Cadenza – Means rhythmic
• Carmela – Means garden
• Catarina – Means pure
• Clarice – Means clear
• Constanza – Means constant
• Elda – Means warrior
• Elena – Means light
• Fausta – Means lucky
• Flavia – Means blond
• Gemma – Means jewel
• Giulia – Means young female
• Grazie – Means grace
• Lunetta – Means little moon
• Mona – Means lady
• Olympia – Means from Olympus
• Piapious – Means female
• Pietra – Means rock
• Pippa – Means loves horses
• Rachele – Means lamb
• Regina – Means queen
• Renata – Means rebirth
• Rosalie or Rosalia – Means rose
• Rosetta – Means little rose
• Rufina – Means red-haired
• Serena – Means serene
• Trista – Means sad
• Viviana – Means alive
• Volante – Means flying

Dog Names Inspired By Italian Landmarks and Locations

• Genoa
• Florence
• Amalfi
• Venice
• Tuscany
• Rome

Dog Names Inspired by Italian Cuisine

• Ghirardelli
• Espresso
• Linguine
• Tiramisu
• Pesto
• Mozzarella
• Cannoli
• Nutella
• Caramello – Means caramel
• Gelato
• Biscotti

Fun Words which make Awesome Italian Dog Names

• Aio – Means teacher or tutor
• Amico – Means friend
• Amore – Means love
• Bambino – Means child
• Bella – Means beautiful
• Bianca _ Means white
• Carina – Means cute
• Caesar or Cesare
• Ciao – Means hello
• Diego
• Donatello
• Faro – Means lighthouse
• Galileo
• Giovanni
• Leo or Leonardo 
• Luca
• Luigi
• Luna – Means moon
• Mario
• Matteo
• Marco
• Michaelangelo
• Mira
• Milan
• Nero – Means black
• Piccolo – Means small
• Primo – means first
• Raphael
• Roma
• Rosa
• Siena
• Sofia
• Stella
• Sorriso – Means smile
• Uno – Means one
• Verona
• Venti – Means twenty
• Versace
• Vita – Means life

Ideas for Funny Italian Dog Names

Depending on your new pup’s personality, you may want to opt for a unique Italian dog name. This is particularly true if your dog has a preferred food or a characteristic, like low-energy, that goes well with an Italian word. 

• Salami
• Presto
• Calzone
• Scampi
• Carbonara
• Guido
• Tempo
• Ravioli
• Linguine
• Biscuit
• Martini
• Latte

Italian Dog Names for a Cane Corso

A Cane Corso is an affectionate dog from Italy that has served as bodyguards from the time of the Roman Empire. Here are a few awesome names for a Cane Corso dog:

• Vito
• Brutus
• Tito
• Felix
• Juno
• Orso
• Albus
• Dino
• Alessandra
• Cesar
• Nero
• Bestia
• Mimi

Dog Names with Italian Meanings

Italian words with fun meaning are so much better than boring regular dog names. Here are a few of the best Italian dog names and their meanings: 

• Pane – Means bread
• Pazzo – Means crazy
• Gigante – Means giant
• Bambino – Means baby
• Grazie – Means thank you
• Misto – Means mixed
• Osso – Means bone
• Cane – Means dog
• Pelo – Means fur
• Volante – Means flying
• Pozza – Means puddle
• Caos – Means chaos
• Cielo – Means sky
• Tino – Means tiny

And finally, another popular choice for Italian dog names is inspired by Italian fashion. If you have two dogs, you can name them Dolce and Gabbana.

For more inspiration, check out our lists of Irish dog names and Hawaiian dog names.