Avenues of Ideas

ITALIAN SURNAMES

Pesci
Pronunciation: Pesh-ee
Meaning: Fisherman.

Morelli
Pronunciation: Mor-ell-lee
Meaning: A Moor or a person of dark complexion.

Giuliani
Pronunciation: Ju-lee-ah-nee
Meaning: Youthful.

D’Angelo/D’Angeli
Pronunciation: Dan-jell-o/Dan-jell-ee
Meaning: Messenger or angel.

Bruni
Pronunciation: Buh-roo-nee (rolled R)
Meaning: The color brown or a dark-haired person.

Piazza
Pronunciation: Pee-ahh-sa.
Meaning: Town square.

Caputo
Pronunciation: Cah-pooh-to
Meaning: Large-headed or strong-headed.

De Rossi
Pronunciation: Deh-ross-ee (rolled R)
Meaning: Red-haired.

Manzo
Pronunciation: Man-tso
Meaning: A person resembling an ox.

Florentino
Pronunciation: Flor-en-tee-no
Meaning: A Florentine or a person from the city of Florence.

Ricci
Pronunciation: Ree-chee (rolled R)
Meaning: Curly-haired.

Bonetti
Pronunciation: Bon-eh-tee
Meaning: Hatmaker.

Scavo
Pronunciation: Scah-vo
Meaning: Serf or slave.

Porzio
Pronunciation: Por–tsee-oh
Meaning: Hog.

Giudice
Pronunciation: Ju-dee-chay
Meaning: Judge or justice.

Tarantino
Pronunciation: Tar-an-tee-no
Meaning: A person from Taranto, a town in Southern Italy.

Vitale
Pronunciation: Vi-tah-lay
Meaning: Life.

Armani
Pronunciation: Ar-mah-nee (rolled R)
Meaning: Man of force.

Greco
Pronunciation: Guh-reck-oh (rolled R)
Meaning: Greek or a person from Greece.

Ferraro/Ferrari
Pronunciation: Fer-ah-ro/Fer-ah-ri (both Rs are rolled)
Meaning: Blacksmith.

Pacino
Pronunciation: Pah-chee-no
Meaning: Peace.

Di Maggio
Pronunciation: Dee-maj-eoh
Meaning: The eldest son.

Capone
Pronunciation: Cah-poh-nay
Meaning: Large-headed or arrogant.

Saccone
Pronunciation: Sah-coh-nay
Meaning: A maker of sacks and bags.

Argento
Pronunciation: Ar-jen-toh
Meaning: Silver or grey-haired.

Romano/Romani
Pronunciation: Ro-mah-no/Ro-mah-nee
Meaning: Roman or a person from the city of Rome.

Bianco
Pronunciation: Bee-yan-co
Meaning: White.

Valentino
Pronunciation: Val-en-tee-no
Meaning: Healthy.

Leto
Pronunciation: Leh-to
Meaning: Joyful.

De Niro
Pronunciation: Deh-neer-oh
Meaning: Of black or dark hair.

Bianchi
Pronunciation: Bee-yan-ci
Meaning: A small town in Cosenza, Calabria.

Lastra
Pronunciation: Laa-stra
Meaning: Flat slab of rock.

Allegro
Pronunciation: Al-lé-gro
Meaning: Brisk tempo.

Abruzzese
Pronunciation: A-bruz-zé-se
Meaning: Someone from the region of Abruzzi.

Agosti
Pronunciation: A-gó-sto
Meaning: Favored with good omens.

Amato
Pronunciation: A-mà-to
Meaning: Beloved.

Fiorentino
Pronunciation: Fio-ren-tì-no
Meaning: A person from Florence.

Milanesi
Pronunciation: Mi-la-né-se
Meaning: A person from Milan.

Russo
Pronunciation: Rùs-so
Meaning: Redhead.

Bruno
Pronunciation: Brù-no
Meaning: Brown.

Accetta
Pronunciation: Ac-cét-ta
Meaning: Welcome or well-liked.

Baio
Pronunciation: Bà-io
Meaning: Horse.

Barone
Pronunciation: Ba-ró-ne
Meaning: Bravery or courage.

Esposito
Pronunciation: Es-poˈzi-to
Meaning: Exposed.

Mancini
Pronunciation: Man-chee-nee
Meaning: Left-handed.

Gallo
Pronunciation: Gal-low
Meaning: Rooster.

De Luca
Pronunciation: Deh-loo-kah
Meaning: Son of Luca.

Abate
Pronunciation: A-bà-te
Meaning: Priest.

Abruzzese
Pronunciation: A-bruz-zé-se
Meaning: Abruzzian or from Abruzzo.

Accardo
Pronunciation: A-card-o
Meaning: Edge of a sword, bold, or hardy.

Accomando
Pronunciation: A-coo-mando
Meaning: German shepherd dog.

Aceto
Pronunciation: A-cé-to
Meaning: Vinegar or acetic acid.

Achille
Pronunciation: Ah-kee-ley
Meaning: A Greek warrior and leader in the Trojan War. A hero of Homer’s Iliad.

Acierno
Pronunciation: A-chair-no
Meaning: Of steel.

Acquaviva
Pronunciation: Acqua-viva
Meaning: Living water, running water, or spring.

Aloisio
Pronunciation: Ahl-oh-ee-zee-oh
Meaning: Famous warrior.

Altadonna
Pronunciation: Alta-dunnah
Meaning: High lady or tall woman.

Altamura
Pronunciation: Aal-tuh-mur-uh
Meaning: High walls.

Altieri
Pronunciation: Uh-eh-lee–ei
Meaning: Old, to practice, experienced person, or a person who works with richness.

Abano
Pronunciation: Ah-bahn-o
Meaning: Water.

Abbandonato
Pronunciation: A-bahn–doe-not-o
Meaning: Forsaken, abandoned.

Zabatino
Pronunciation: Z-aah–ba-tee-no
Meaning: Saturday.

Zara
Pronunciation: Z-aahd-ra
Meaning: A person from the city of Zadra