The name Lorenzo steps out of medieval Italy onto playgrounds all over the United States.
Thanks to Christina for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME LORENZO MEAN?
Back in the ancient world, Laurentius became a Roman family name, meaning “from Laurentum.”
The city took its name from the laurel tree, and the leaves that various cultures have used to symbolize victory, success, and wisdom, among other things.
The Latin Laurentius became Laurence and Lawrence.
During the second century, Saint Laurence was martyred in Rome. His fame spread across the world, and as a result, it became a popular name across the Christian world.
There’s the French Laurent and Scandinavian Lars. Larry became a chart-topping favorite in the US during the 1930s and 40s.
And in Italy and Spain?
It became Lorenzo.
MEDIEVAL LORENZO
In Renaissance Florence, Lorenzo de Medici became rich and powerful, a de facto ruler of the city, though he held no formal office.
The gorgeously-named family’s political legacy started with Lorenzo’s grandfather, Cosimo de Medici, who headed the Medici Bank.
Lorenzo’s patronage made possible the works of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, to name just two.
As a given name, it filtered into English by the time Shakespeare wrote The Merchant of Venice during the 1590s. Lorenzo marries Jessica, Shylock’s daughter.
THE RISE OF ENZO
Enzo may have evolved from separate, Germanic roots, a romance language cousin to Henry.
But by the 20th century, we understood it as a short form of names ending with the sound. Vincenzo, of course, but also Lorenzo.
The name feels impeccably Italian today, thanks to famous bearers like Angiolini (shoes) and Ferrari (racing).
It has risen sharply in use in recent years, across the English-speaking world and elsewhere, too. In the US, it mixes the appeal of Biblical Ezra with o-ending favorites like Leo and Milo, as well as so many Italian vowel-enders, like Luca.
As an independent name, Enzo entered the US Top 100 in 2023.
LORENZO IN THE US
Early 19th century American preacher Lorenzo Dow wore the name. So did Latter Day Saints president Lorenzo Snow, just a few decades later.
The 20th and 21st centuries also gave us:
- Actor Lorenzo Lamas, a member of the Falcon Crest cast in the 1980s, and a reality star in more recent years.
- Lorenzo’s Oil, the celebrated 1992 film about a family’s search for a cure for their son’s rare disease. Susan Sarandon was Oscar nominated for her role as Michaela, Lorenzo’s mom. It’s based on a true story.
- Jersey Shore alum Nicole Polizzi – better known as Snooki – and husband Jionni LaValle welcomed a son named Lorenzo Dominic in 2012.
- Italian tennis star Lorenzo Musetti’s success at international competitions, including a bronze medal in the 2024 Olympics, has helped raise his name’s profile in the US, too.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME LORENZO?
As of 2025, the name stands at #117. In 2024, it reached a peak of #116. So let’s say the name is currently enjoying an all-time high.
This also makes it the most popular name in the Lawrence family, by far.
Internationally, this name remains a Top Ten favorite in Italy, and is popular in several Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries, too.
ROMANTIC MEETS TRADITIONAL
Overall, this name blends romance language appeal with traditional roots. It balances a sense of history with plenty of contemporary appeal. And while you’d never need to shorten this name, it easily reduces to wildly popular nickname Enzo, which feels like a bonus.
What do you think of the baby name Lorenzo?
First published on July 9, 2015, this post was revised on October 26, 2026.
Lorenzo is my favorite form, and a family name for me (I have a grandfather Albert Lorenzo, uncle Ammon Lorenzo, and brother Brigham Lorenzo). However, I strongly prefer Lawrence over Laurence. I think this is partly because I see the French feminine name Laurence when I look at it!