Complete Guide 2026
Baby Name Laws in Italy
Italy's naming rules combine relative freedom with strict requirements about gender, repeated names within a family, and protection against ridiculous or shameful names — like the famous "Venerdi" (Friday) case from 2008.
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How the Italian naming system works
Italy's naming rules are governed by the DPR 396/2000 (Presidential Decree on the civil registry, articles 34 and 35) and the Codice Civile. When you register your baby's birth at the local ufficio di stato civile (registry office) within 10 days, the registrar (ufficiale dello stato civile) checks the name against several legal criteria.
Unlike France, the Italian registrar can refuse the name on the spot if it clearly violates the rules. If they have doubts, they can refer the case to the procuratore della Repubblica, who in turn can take it to the family court (tribunale per i minorenni or tribunale ordinario).
The rules: what Italy allows and doesn't
No ridiculous or shameful names
Article 34 of DPR 396/2000 explicitly prohibits names that are "ridiculous or shameful" (ridicoli o vergognosi). This is the most famous restriction.
Name must match the child's gender
The name must correspond to the sex of the child. This is one of the strictest gender-related naming rules in Western Europe, though it has slightly relaxed for established unisex names.
Cannot share name with living father
A child cannot be given the same name as their living father. They can share a name with a deceased father or another deceased relative.
Surnames cannot be used as first names
A surname (cognome) cannot be used as a given name (nome) unless it has an established tradition in both roles.
Maximum three first names
Italian law limits first names to a maximum of three. They must be separated by commas in the registry.
Foreign names are accepted
Names from any culture are allowed, but they must be written in the Latin alphabet (with Italian diacritics or the international ones).
Religious and traditional names always accepted
Names from the Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim, or any other religious tradition are presumed acceptable.
The Venerdi case (2008)
The most famous Italian naming case involves a couple from Genoa who, in 2006, named their son Venerdi (Italian for "Friday"). The registrar accepted the name, but the public prosecutor objected. The case went all the way to the Cour of Cassation in 2008.
The court ruled that "Venerdi" was a "ridiculous" name — likely because of its association with Robinson Crusoe's servant character. The judge ordered the child's name to be changed to Gregorio (the saint of the day on which he was born). The parents appealed, but the European Court of Human Rights upheld the Italian decision in 2014.
This case remains the benchmark for what Italian courts consider "ridiculous" under article 34.
Famous rejected names in Italy
Venerdi
Rejected 2008 — ridiculous (Friday)
Andrea (for a girl, 1980s)
Historically blocked — male name in Italy
Dalmata
Rejected — refers to a dog breed
Ikea, Cip e Ciop
Rejected — brand and cartoon names
Asia
Approved — common Italian name
Nicola (boys only)
Approved — traditionally male in Italy
The "Andrea problem" and gender-specific names
In Italian, Andrea is a strictly male name (unlike English, where it's typically female). Italian law historically required names to match the child's sex, and judges have intervened when parents tried to give Andrea to a girl. Today, with established unisex names, this is more flexible — but parents should be aware.
Other Italian names that are strictly male: Nicola, Luca, Daniele, Gabriele, Michele, Simone. Strictly female: Gemma, Maria, Sofia. Established unisex (now accepted): Celeste, Domenica (rare).
Most popular baby names in Italy
According to ISTAT (Italian national statistics), the most popular names recently include:
Boys
Leonardo, Francesco, Tommaso, Edoardo, Alessandro, Lorenzo, Mattia, Riccardo, Andrea, Gabriele, Diego, Filippo, Giuseppe, Pietro, Antonio
Girls
Sofia, Aurora, Giulia, Ginevra, Beatrice, Vittoria, Alice, Emma, Giorgia, Greta, Martina, Anna, Chiara, Elena, Camilla
What to do if your name is rejected
- Discuss with the registrar — Sometimes, providing context (cultural origin, family tradition) helps resolve doubts immediately.
- Wait for the prosecutor's decision — If escalated, you'll be summoned to court. Bring documentation.
- Appeal to the tribunale ordinario — You can challenge any decision in front of an ordinary court.
- European Court of Human Rights — As a last resort, but as the Venerdi case shows, the ECHR generally defers to Italian courts on naming matters.
Legal basis
Italian naming law is governed by articles 34 and 35 of DPR 396/2000 (the Civil Registry regulation) and reinforced by the Codice Civile. The key provision is article 34: "The name imposed on the child must correspond to his sex and may consist of a single name or several names, even separate, but not exceeding three. ... It is forbidden to give the child the same name as the father, a living brother or sister, a surname, or ridiculous or shameful names."
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Check a Name →Last updated: April 2026. This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult your local stato civile for definitive answers.