100 Awesome Italian Nicknames

Nicknames are essential parts of the Italian culture, providing warmth, humor, and a hint of history into daily conversations.

Be they affectionate, light-hearted, or traditionally indebted to family, Italian nicknames (or soprannomi) can tell us a lot about personality and relationships and even physical traits.

From traditional diminutives like Giovaninino to such darlings as Ciccio or Beppe, these names conjure up feelings of intimacy and interconnectedness.

In this post, we’ll take an insight into the most common Italian nicknames, their meanings, and their illustrations of the charm of Italian life.

italian nicknames

Amore – “Love” (romantic)

Tesoro – “Treasure” (romantic/family)

Cucciolo/Cucciola – “Puppy” (sweet for kids/partners)

Stellina – “Little star” (cute and affectionate)

Ciccio/Ciccia – “Chubby” (affectionate, despite the meaning)

Bello/Bella – “Beautiful” (common for loved ones)

Caro/Cara – “Dear” (romantic or friendly)

Zuccherino – “Little sugar” (sweet and playful)

Orsetto – “Little bear” (cute and cuddly)

Patatino/Patatina – “Little potato” (adorable for kids or partners)

Pupo/Pupa – “Baby doll” (affectionate)

Ninni/Ninna – “Little sleepy one” (often for babies)

Micio/Micia – “Kitten” (romantic or for kids)

Topolino/Topolina – “Little mouse” (cute and playful)

Dolcezza – “Sweetness” (romantic or affectionate)

Coccolino/Coccolina – “Little cuddly one” (affectionate)

Angioletto – “Little angel” (often for children)

Tesoruccio – “Little treasure” (very sweet)

Bambolino/Bambolina – “Little doll” (cute and affectionate)

Pulcino – “Little chick” (endearing and sweet)

Lupo – “Wolf” (cool and strong nickname)

Tigre – “Tiger” (used for fierce or strong people)

Nano/Nana – “Dwarf” (playful nickname for short people)

Gigante – “Giant” (often ironic for short people)

Rosso/Rossa – “Red” (for red-haired people)

Biondo/Bionda – “Blonde” (descriptive nickname)

Magro/Magra – “Thin” (sometimes ironic)

Gordo/Gorda – “Fat” (used playfully but can be offensive)

Zampa – “Paw” (nickname for someone clumsy)

Occhioni – “Big eyes” (for someone with large eyes)

Pazzo/Pazza – “Crazy” (playful, for wild friends)

Furbo/Furba – “Clever” (used both positively and sarcastically)

Cicciobello – “Chubby and cute” (like the doll)

Baffo – “Mustache” (for someone with prominent facial hair)

Dado – “Dice” (used as a fun, random nickname)

Nino/Nina – Short for names like Antonino or Antonina

Bepi/Beppe – Nickname for Giuseppe

Lillo – Common nickname for people named Calogero

Peppino – Diminutive of Giuseppe

Gigi – Short for Luigi or other similar names

Ricky – Short for Riccardo

Vale – Short for Valentina or Valerio

Lory – Short for Lorenzo or Loredana

Ale – Short for Alessandro or Alessandra

Titti – Cute nickname for a small or delicate person

Mimmo – Short for Domenico

Pino – Short for Giuseppe

Ciro – Common Southern Italian nickname

Toto – Nickname for Salvatore

Fede – Short for Federico or Federica

Sole – “Sun” (used for someone bright and warm)

Luce – “Light” (for someone who shines)

Fiorellino – “Little flower” (affectionate and poetic)

Pesciolino – “Little fish” (cute, often for kids)

Cielo – “Sky” (romantic or poetic)

Fragolina – “Little strawberry” (sweet nickname)

Zampa di leone – “Lion’s paw” (for someone strong)

Occhi di gatto – “Cat eyes” (for someone with mysterious eyes)

Orso – “Bear” (for a big, strong, or cuddly person)

Lupetto – “Little wolf” (for someone daring)

Cicciottello/Cicciottella – “Chubby” (affectionate)

Pel di carota – “Carrot hair” (for red-haired people)

Pallina – “Little ball” (cute for small or round people)

Zazà – Fun nickname, often for Salvatore

Lella – Short for Gabriella

Pippo – Nickname for Filippo

Raf – Short for Raffaele or Raffaella

Ste – Short for Stefano or Stefania

Mau – Short for Mauro or Maura

Domi – Short for Domenico or Domitilla

Nino – Short for Antonio, Giovanni, or Gaetano

Chicco – “Little grain” (cute nickname for boys)

Chicca – “Little pearl” (cute for girls)

Pupa – “Doll” (affectionate for little girls)

Bubi – Cute, playful nickname

Paky – Short for Pasquale or Patrizia

Lulù – Fun, playful nickname for girls

Mimmi – Short and sweet nickname

Dado – “Dice” (playful and fun)

Gio – Short for Giovanni, Giorgia, or Giorgio

Totò – Common Southern Italian nickname

Pinuccio – Diminutive of Giuseppe (common in the South)

Peppe – Short for Giuseppe

Bobby – Italianized version of Bob, often for Roberto

Lallo – Fun diminutive of Lallo or Lallo

Cecio – “Chickpea” (used for small or round people)

Cicci – Common affectionate nickname

Bubu – Playful and fun nickname

Bacetto – “Little kiss” (sweet for loved ones)

Pagliaccio – “Clown” (for someone funny)

Pazzoide – “Crazy one” (playful and teasing)

Brontolo – “Grumpy” (like the dwarf from Snow White)

Gnomo – “Gnome” (for someone small)

Topone – “Big mouse” (cute but teasing)

Cinghialotto – “Little wild boar” (for someone strong or chubby)

Pasticcino – “Little pastry” (sweet and affectionate)

Cioccolatino – “Little chocolate” (for someone sweet)

Panzerotto – “Stuffed pastry” (teasing but cute)

Bombolone – “Big cream-filled doughnut” (for someone round and sweet)

Gufetto – “Little owl” (for someone wise or mysterious)