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 fa ...

, probably derived from , " flowering ash tree" (''Fraxinus ornus''). It was coined by Gabriele D'Annunzio in his 1904 play ''

The Daughter of Iorio ''The Daughter of Iorio'' () is a 1904 play by the Italian writer Gabriele D'Annunzio. The play is written in verse and has elements of local dialect, proverbs and traditional rhymes from Abruzzo. It tells the tragic story of the love between a ...

'' and made popular also thanks to the fame of singer

Ornella Vanoni Ornella Vanoni (; born 22 September 1934) is an Italian singer-songwriter and actress. She is one of the longest-standing Italian artists, having started performing in 1956. She has released about 112 works between LP, EPs and greatest hits alb ...

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 I ...

. It is most widespread in

central Central is an adjective usually referring to being in the center of some place or (mathematical) object. Central may also refer to: Directions and generalised locations * Central Africa, a region in the centre of Africa continent, also known as ...

and

northern Italy Northern Italy ( it, Italia settentrionale, it, Nord Italia, label=none, it, Alta Italia, label=none or just it, Nord, label=none) is a geographical and cultural region in the northern part of Italy. It consists of eight administrative regions ...

, as well as in

Abruzzo Abruzzo (, , ; nap, label=Neapolitan language, Abruzzese Neapolitan, Abbrùzze , ''Abbrìzze'' or ''Abbrèzze'' ; nap, label=Sabino dialect, Aquilano, Abbrùzzu; #History, historically Abruzzi) is a Regions of Italy, region of Southern Italy wi ...

, 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 Ornella Bertorotta (born 25 August 1967) is an Italian politician for the Five Star Movement. She sat in the Italian Senate in the Legislature XVII of Italy after she was elected in the 2013 Italian general election. References External ...

(born 1967), Italian politician *

Ornella Ferrara Ornella Ferrara (born 17 April 1968) is an Italian long-distance runner who specialized in the marathon race. She represented her country twice at the Summer Olympics (1996 and 2000) and was the bronze medalist in the marathon at the 1995 Worl ...

(born 1968), Italian long-distance runner *

Ornella Livingston Ornella Livingston (born 19 May 1991), is a Jamaican young sprinter who represented Jamaica at The Carifta Games The CARIFTA Games is an annual athletics competition founded by the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA). The games was fi ...

(born 1991), Jamaican sprinter *

Ornella Matta Ornella is an Italian feminine given name, 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 Or ...

(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 Ornella Palla (born 30 March 1990) is a team handball player from Uruguay. She has played on the Uruguay women's national handball team, and participated at the 2011 World Women's Handball Championship The 2011 World Women's Handball Champio ...

(born 1990), Uruguayan handball player *

(born 1934), Italian pop singer

References

{{given name Italian feminine given names