Italian emigration, which occurred between the end of the nineteenth century and the middle of the twentieth century, left an indelible mark not only on the culture and society of many countries, but also on their registry.
Today, millions of people around the world proudly wear Italian surnames, especially in South America, where the Italian presence has had an extraordinary impact. Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Venezuela are among the nations where Italian surnames are most common. In Argentina, it is estimated that approximately 60% of the population has at least one Italian ancestorIt is not uncommon to find surnames like Rossi, Bianchi, Ferrari, Romano, De Luca or Gallo on the streets of Buenos Aires or Montevideo.
The most common Italian surnames in South America
But what are the most common Italian surnames in South America? Rossi: perhaps the most common Italian surname ever, simple and direct, meaning “red-haired person”. Esposito: very present, especially in Brazil, comes from children exposed or entrusted to religious institutions. Russian: very common in Southern Italy, it has had enormous success in Argentina and Uruguay. And then also, Bruno, Greco, Accounts, Lombardi e Moretti These are other examples of names that stand out in Italian-descendant communities.
In Brazil, Italian surnames have often merged or adapted to the Portuguese language, but names such as Silva, Ribeiro or Fernandes are found mixed with Di Pietro, Martini or Costa of Italian origin. The phenomenon does not only concern surnames: Italian culture, through the language, kitchen, music and religion, is deeply rooted in the daily life of millions of South Americans. Patronal festivals, culinary traditions and regional dialects still survive today among the younger generations. This widespread diffusion is the most vivid testimony of an Italy that, although geographically distant, has managed to take root in the hearts and names of entire nations.
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