Tuscany represents one of the Italian regions richest in history, culture and art, in which many prominent figures have taken turns whose memories still live on in the local citizens, many of whom bear the same names as these individuals, in a sort of everlasting homage.

However, some of these names have changed slightly over time, spreading above all in the form of diminutives or variations of the original terms from the Florentine era.

Here are some examples.

Names related to literature and painting

Let’s start the list of names that are still very common in Tuscany today with those that draw their inspiration from prominent people in literature, poetry and territorial painting.

Dante

Undoubtedly one of the most widespread names, linked to the famous figure of Dante Alighieri, author of the “Divine Comedy”. However, it is an abbreviation of “Durante” (the name with which Alighieri himself was also baptized) which literally means “he who has to endure, who endures”.

Beatrice

How not to mention, immediately after Dante, the woman at the center of every thought of him and of his great work itself? Beatrice means “she who leads towards bliss”, and is often very common among Tuscan girls with the diminutive of “Bice”.

Cecco

From literature we move this time to poetry with the name Cecco, inspired by the poet Cecco Angiolieri, author of “S’i’ fosse foco?”, which we all studied at school in our time. A name that is still very common today in purity, but which in some cases represents the abbreviation of “Francesco”.

Piero

Who does not remember Piero della Francesca, pseudonym of Piero di Benedetto de’ Franceschi, a Tuscan painter to whom we owe the creation of works of admirable workmanship on a religious theme?

To this day this name is still widespread, and represents a Renaissance variation of the name “Pietro”, typical of medieval times.

Leonardo

This name, which as soon as you hear it, can only bring to mind the great Leonardo Da Vinci, renowned Florentine artist and inventor known throughout the world.

History-related names

So much is the history that Tuscany encloses within its borders. And there is so much history that has influenced the attribution of names to one’s children, even in the modern and contemporary era.

Lorenzo

It is a very common name, linked to Lorenzo De’ Medici, called Lorenzo Il Magnifico, without any doubt one of the most important Florentine historical figures, loved and revered by Tuscans then and now.

Cosimo

Another name that draws inspiration from the prosperous Medici family, in particular from the figure of Cosimo the Elder, grandfather of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Today the feminine conjugation is also widespread.

Manfredo

Variation of “Manfredi”, this name is inspired by the homonymous figure of whom Dante spoke so much in the Purgatory of his Divine Comedy: Manfredi, son of Frederick II, was king of Sicily from 1258 to 1266, the year in which he was killed on the occasion of the battle of Benevento and his mortal remains were abandoned along the river Leri.