Ornella is an Italian feminine

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a ...

, probably derived from , " flowering ash tree" (''Fraxinus ornus''). It was coined by Gabriele D'Annunzio in his 1904 play '' The Daughter of Iorio'' and made popular also thanks to the fame of singer Ornella Vanoni and, later, of actress

Ornella Muti Ornella Muti (born Francesca Romana Rivelli; 9 March 1955) is an Italian actress. She made her film debut as Francesca Cimarosa in the 1970 film ''La moglie più bella.'' Early life Muti was born in Rome to a Neapolitan journalist father and ...

. It is most widespread in central and northern Italy, as well as in Abruzzo, while it is rarer in the South of the country. Closely related but very rare names include Ornelia, and the masculine versions Ornello and Ornelio.

People

Ornella Barra Ornella Barra (born December 1953) is an Italian-born Monegasque businesswoman. A qualified pharmacist, she is chief operating officer, international of Walgreens Boots Alliance. She is married with the Italian billionaire Stefano Pessina. Biogr ...

(born 1953), Italian-born Monegasque businesswoman * Ornella Bertorotta (born 1967), Italian politician * Ornella Ferrara (born 1968), Italian long-distance runner * Ornella Livingston (born 1991), Jamaican sprinter * Ornella Matta (born 1983), Puerto Rican born creator and activist *

(born 1955 as Francesca Romana Rivelli), Italian actress *

Ornella Oettl Reyes Ornella Oettl Reyes (born 14 December 1991) is a German-Peruvian alpine skier who was part of the first Peruvian delegation to the Winter Olympics. She specializes in slalom and giant slalom and has competed in six World Championships and t ...

(born 1991), Peruvian-German Alpine skier *

Ornella Ongaro Ornella Ongaro (), known as "La Tulipe" because of her pink racing colours, is a French Grand Prix motorcycle racer. Awards Ongaro has been on the podium over fifty times, and has had over forty victories during her career. She is the only Fren ...

(born 1990), French motorcycle racer * Ornella Palla (born 1990), Uruguayan handball player * Ornella Vanoni (born 1934), Italian pop singer

References

{{given name Italian feminine given names