Italian Names!

I'm going to go about this blog a bit differently. First of all I am going to list the top 10 boys' and girls' names in Italy in 2008 (I couldn't find any more recent information).

Boys:
1. Francesco
2. Alessandro
3. Andrea
4. Matteo
5. Lorenzo
6. Gabriele
7. Mattia
8. Ricardo
9. Davide
10. Luca

Girls:
1. Giulia
2. Sofia
3. Martina
4. Sara
5. Chiara
6. Giorgia
7. Aurora
8. Alessia
9. Francesca
10. Alice

I love so many Italian names that coming up with a list of my favorites was really difficult, but I did manage to come up with 10 for girls and 10 for boys.

Boys:
Aldo - This is a very nice, short and simple name that has a very cool sound to it.

Saviero - The Italian form of Xavier, this name has a very exotic feel to it.

Rocco - I love how strong and masculine sounding this name is.

Enzo - This name is very simple and very cool.

Arlo - Again another short and simple name with a very cool feel to it.

Dante - This name always reminds me of the author Dante. It would make a good alternative to Daniel.

Luca - As well as being popular in Italy this name is on the Scottish top 100. It is very cool and I think it would work well in an English speaking country.

Nico - This name works well on it's own and as a nickname for Nicholas.

Amadeo - This is one of the more unusual names that I like - it's meaning (love of god) makes it even better.

Matteo - This name is very interesting and cool, I think it could work in an English speaking county - It would make a good alternative to Matthew.

Dario - This is probably my favoite Italian boys' name - it is SO cool!

Girls:
Gaia - This name is very pretty and interesting.

Annalisa - This name is very long and princessy.

Isabella - Although this name is of Italian origin it is used in lots of countries. It is very beautiful and feminine.

Francesca - Another lovely feminine name that fits in well with other popular names.

Caterina - This name is very feminine and pretty.

Elisa - While a lot of Italian girls' names are long and flowery, I love how simple this name is.

Alba - Another simple and sweet name that means Dawn.

Maria - Beautiful and classic.

Elena - This name is beautiful and feminine, it reminds me of Elena from the Vampire Diaries.