Sanpaolo

Sanpaolo is the Italian form of Saint Paul and may refer to various people, places, and institutions named in his honor. In contemporary use, the term is most closely associated with the Italian banking group Intesa Sanpaolo. Formed in 2007 by the merger of Banca Intesa and Sanpaolo IMI, it is one of Italy’s largest banks and is headquartered in Turin, with operations spanning retail, corporate, and international banking.

Sanpaolo also appears in geographic and cultural names. The best-known example is Stadio San Paolo in Naples, a football stadium that has hosted Napoli Calcio matches since the 20th century. In 2020 its official name was changed to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, though the former name continues to be widely used. The name is also common in churches, districts, and parishes across Italy; notable example includes the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura) in Rome, and various local churches simply titled San Paolo.

Beyond Italy, Sanpaolo occurs in historical or religious contexts when referring to Saint Paul in Italian-language material or in the names of organizations influenced by Italian heritage. The term, when capitalized as a proper noun, thus functions primarily as a linguistic and cultural marker rather than a single, unified entity.