Giacomo

Giacomo is a masculine given name of Italian origin. It is the Italian form of James, the English version of the name, and has been used widely in Italy for centuries. The name is associated with Saint James in Christian tradition, contributing to its enduring popularity.

The name derives from the Latin Iacobus, which in turn comes from the Hebrew Ya’akov. The Hebrew form is commonly interpreted as meaning “holder of the heel” or “supplanter.” In Italian, different regional forms evolved, notably Giacomo and Jacopo; Jacopo is closely related and sometimes used as a variant in historical contexts.

In Italy, Giacomo has remained a common given name from the medieval period to the present day. It appears across various regions and has been borne by figures in religion, literature, music, politics, and the arts. The name is often shortened in everyday use, though Giacomo itself remains a classic and formal version.

Notable people named Giacomo include Giacomo Casanova (1725–1798), an Italian adventurer and writer renowned for his memoirs; Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924), a composer known for operas such as La Bohème, Tosca, and Turandot; Giacomo Leopardi (1798–1837), a poet and philosopher; Giacomo Matteotti (1885–1924), a socialist politician and anti-fascist critic; and Giacomo della Porta (c. 1524–1602), an architect and sculptor of the late Renaissance.