Diodati

Diodati is a surname of Italian origin. It is most famously associated with Giovanni Diodati, a Swiss-Italian theologian and translator of the Bible. Born in Geneva in 1576, Giovanni Diodati was a prominent figure in the Protestant Reformation. His most significant work is the Italian translation of the Bible, first published in 1607, which became highly influential and is still respected for its accuracy and linguistic quality.

The Diodati family had roots in Lucca, Italy, but fled due to religious persecution, settling in Geneva. Giovanni's translation of the Bible into Italian was a monumental undertaking, aiming to make the scriptures accessible to a wider Italian-speaking audience in their own language. This translation played a crucial role in the dissemination of Protestant ideas in Italy and among Italian communities abroad.

Beyond his biblical translation, Giovanni Diodati was also a theologian and pastor, deeply involved in the Calvinist tradition. He taught theology in Geneva and participated in theological debates of his time. The legacy of the Diodati name, therefore, is largely tied to religious scholarship and the impact of Giovanni Diodati's translation on Italian religious literature and thought. The surname itself continues to be present in Italy and among people of Italian descent worldwide.