This page lists 46 Italian girl names that start with I, from “Ida” to “Ilary”. The list covers classic saints’ names, Greek and mythological names, and modern spellings. It is useful if you are choosing a baby name, writing a character, or tracing your family roots.
Italian girl names are first names given to girls in Italy, shaped by Latin, Greek, Germanic and religious traditions. Many of them honor saints or legends, like “Imelda,” named for a young saint from Bologna, or “Isotta,” a medieval form of Isolde.
Below you’ll find the table with the name, its pronunciation, its meaning and a short description.
Name: The Italian spelling of each name, listed in alphabetical order so you can scan quickly and find the one you want.
Pronunciation: A simple guide to how each name sounds in Italian, with the stressed syllable in capital letters so you can say it with confidence.
Meaning: The original meaning of each name, such as “peace” or “rainbow,” which helps you find a name that fits your values.
Description: A short note on each name’s origin, history and how common it is in Italy today, so you know whether it feels classic, rare or modern.
Italian girl names
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ida | EE-dah | Hard-working, prosperous |
| Ilaria | ee-LAH-ree-ah | Cheerful, joyful |
| Ilenia | ee-LEH-nee-ah | Of Troy; sun ray |
| Ilda | EEL-dah | Battle |
| Ilde | EEL-deh | Battle |
| Ildegarda | eel-deh-GAR-dah | Battle guard |
| Imma | EEM-mah | Immaculate, pure |
| Immacolata | eem-mah-koh-LAH-tah | Immaculate, spotless |
| Imelda | ee-MEL-dah | Universal battle |
| Incoronata | een-koh-roh-NAH-tah | Crowned |
| Indira | EEN-dee-rah | Beauty, splendor |
| Ines | ee-NEHS | Pure, holy |
| Inès | ee-NEHS | Pure, chaste |
| Irene | ee-REH-neh | Peace |
| Irena | ee-REH-nah | Peace |
| Ireneo | ee-reh-NEH-oh | Peaceful |
| Iride | EE-ree-deh | Rainbow |
| Iris | EE-rees | Rainbow |
| Irma | EER-mah | Whole, universal |
| Isa | EE-zah | Pledged to God |
| Isabella | ee-zah-BEL-lah | Pledged to God |
| Isabel | ee-zah-BEL | Pledged to God |
| Isabelle | ee-zah-BEL | Pledged to God |
| Isadora | ee-zah-DOH-rah | Gift of Isis |
| Isaura | ee-ZOW-rah | From Isauria |
| Iselda | ee-ZEL-dah | Fair lady |
| Isidora | ee-zee-DOH-rah | Gift of Isis |
| Ismene | eez-MEH-neh | Learned, knowing |
| Isolda | ee-ZOL-dah | Fair lady |
| Isotta | ee-ZOT-tah | Fair lady |
| Italia | ee-TAH-lee-ah | Italy |
| Itala | EE-tah-lah | Italian |
| Iva | EE-vah | God is gracious |
| Ivana | ee-VAH-nah | God is gracious |
| Ivonne | ee-VON-neh | Yew tree |
| Ivetta | ee-VET-tah | Yew; archer |
| Iolanda | yoh-LAHN-dah | Violet flower |
| Iole | YOH-leh | Violet cloud |
| Iolanthe | yoh-LAHN-teh | Violet flower |
| Ione | ee-OH-neh | Violet |
| Iginia | ee-JEE-nee-ah | Healthy |
| Ilva | EEL-vah | From Elba |
| Ilia | EE-lee-ah | Of Troy |
| Ivy | EYE-vee | Ivy plant |
| Iaia | YAH-yah | Little one |
| Ilary | ee-LAH-ree | Cheerful |
Descriptions
Ida
A short, classic name of Germanic origin that has long been used in Italy. It is simple, vintage and easy to pronounce in any language.
Ilaria
A popular Italian form of Hilaria. It was made famous by Ilaria del Carretto, whose marble tomb in Lucca is a well-known Renaissance sculpture.
Ilenia
A melodic modern name linked to Ilion, the Greek name for Troy. It became common in Italy in the late 20th century, especially in the south.
Ilda
A rare Italian name from a Germanic root linked to fighting. It is a short form of names like Clotilde and Matilde.
Ilde
A short and uncommon name that works as a form of Hilda or a nickname for longer names ending in -ilde. It sounds soft and old-fashioned.
Ildegarda
The Italian form of Hildegard, made known by the medieval mystic Hildegard of Bingen. It is a rare, dignified choice today.
Imma
A short form of Immacolata, common in Naples and southern Italy. It honors the Virgin Mary and is also used as an independent name.
Immacolata
A traditional religious name tied to the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on December 8. It is most common in southern Italy among older generations.
Imelda
A name of Germanic origin tied to Blessed Imelda Lambertini, a young Bolognese saint. It is rare in Italy today but has a strong historical link to Bologna.
Incoronata
A devotional name referring to the crowned Virgin Mary. It is found mostly in Puglia and Basilicata, where Madonna dell’Incoronata is widely honored.
Indira
A name of Sanskrit origin that is occasionally used in Italy. It is mostly known through Indira Gandhi and sounds natural in Italian.
Ines
The Italian form of Agnes, found across Italy and the Mediterranean. It is short, elegant and has risen in popularity in recent years.
Inès
A variant spelling of Ines with an accent, used by some Italian families with international ties. It has the same sound and meaning as Ines.
Irene
A well-loved Italian name from the Greek goddess of peace. It is a consistent top-50 choice for baby girls in Italy.
Irena
A less common variant of Irene, with the same meaning. It is more typical of Slavic languages but used by some Italian families.
Ireneo
A rare masculine-looking form that is almost never used for girls. It is listed for reference because of its link to Irene, and is not recommended as a girl name.
Iride
The Italian form of Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow. It was fairly popular in the early 20th century and has a poetic sound.
Iris
A flower name and mythological figure that is very popular in Italy. It is short, modern and works internationally.
Irma
A short Germanic name that was widely used in Italy in the 20th century. It is now uncommon and sounds vintage.
Isa
A short form of Isabella or Elisabetta that is also used on its own. It is friendly, brief and easy to spell.
Isabella
One of Italy’s best-loved classic names, a form of Elizabeth. It was borne by many queens and noblewomen, including Isabella d’Este of Mantua.
Isabel
A shorter version of Isabella used in Italy, borrowed partly from Spanish. It gives the same meaning in a more streamlined form.
Isabelle
The French form of Isabella, sometimes chosen by Italian parents for its refined sound. It is pronounced very similarly in Italian.
Isadora
A name of Greek origin made famous by the dancer Isadora Duncan. It is rare in Italy but admired for its artistic feel.
Isaura
A rare name that refers to Isauria, an ancient region of Asia Minor. It has a gentle sound and appears in older Italian records.
Iselda
An uncommon variant of Isolda linked to medieval legend. It is rarely given today but has a romantic literary flavor.
Isidora
The feminine form of Isidoro. It is a rare name in Italy, mostly found in older families or those with Spanish roots.
Ismene
A Greek mythological name, borne by Antigone’s sister in Sophocles’ tragedy. It is very rare in Italy and has a classical tone.
Isolda
The Italian form of Isolde, famous from the legend of Tristan and Isolde. It is seldom used but has strong medieval romance associations.
Isotta
A medieval Italian version of Isolde. It was used by Isotta degli Atti, a noblewoman of Rimini in the 1400s, and is still found in Italy today.
Italia
A patriotic name taken from the country itself. It was especially popular around the time of Italian unification and in the early 20th century.
Itala
A rare feminine name meaning “Italian”. It was used in the early 1900s and now sounds distinctly vintage.
Iva
A short name of Slavic origin that appears in northern Italy near the Slovenian and Croatian border. It also works as a form of Giovanna.
Ivana
A feminine form of Ivan, used in Italy mainly in the north and east. It is a close relative of Giovanna.
Ivonne
The Italian spelling of Yvonne, brought in from French. It was most popular in the mid-20th century.
Ivetta
An Italian form of Yvette, a French diminutive. It is a rare name with a light and playful sound.
Iolanda
A traditional Italian name of medieval origin, linked to the violet. It has a warm, romantic ring and remains in occasional use.
Iole
A mythological name from Greek legend, borne by a princess loved by Heracles. It is a rare but distinctive choice in Italy.
Iolanthe
A rare variant of Iolanda with a literary feel, known from the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. It is almost never used in Italy.
Ione
A Greek name meaning violet, used in Italy from the 1800s. It is short, elegant and quite unusual today.
Iginia
The feminine form of Igino, taken from the Greek word for health. It is a rare, old-fashioned name now.
Ilva
A name derived from Ilva, the ancient Latin name of the island of Elba. It is used mainly in Tuscany.
Ilia
A mythological name for the mother of Romulus and Remus in some versions of Roman legend. It is rare and has Roman roots.
Ivy
A modern English borrowing sometimes seen in Italy. It is rare but gaining a little ground as parents look for short international names.
Iaia
A rare and affectionate nickname-style name, mainly regional. It is mostly found as a pet name in southern Italy.
Ilary
A modern spelling of Ilaria, popularized in Italy by the TV presenter Ilary Blasi. It is trendy and distinctly contemporary.