Pagani

Pagani is an Italian surname, a cognate of the English surname Payne. Both surnames ultimately derive from a medieval nickname meaning 'pagan' or 'heathen' (from Latin paganus 'rustic,' 'villager,' later 'pagan'), referring either to someone who clung to pre-Christian beliefs or to a rustic person.

Etymology and Origin

The Italian name Pagani is a patronymic or plural form of Pagano, meaning 'of Pagano' or 'the Pagans.' The variant form Pagano is also common in Italy. The name spread throughout Italy and later to other countries through immigration.

Geographic Distribution

According to the 2010 United States Census, Pagani ranks 30,600th in frequency, with 762 bearers, predominantly White (78.35%) and Hispanic/Latino (19.69%). In Italy, the surname is most common in Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Campania.

Notable Bearers

• Nicolò Pagani (1716–1790), Italian painter of the late Baroque
• Nello Pagani (1911–2003), Italian motorcycle road racer and Formula One driver
• Horacio Pagani (born 1955), Argentine-Italian automotive engineer, founder of Pagani Automobili
• Valerio Pagani (born 1992), Italian footballer

Related Surnames

Related surnames in other languages include English Pain and Payne, all sharing the same etymological root.

• Meaning: 'pagan,' 'heathen,' or 'rustic'
• Origin: Italian
• Type: Surname from a nickname
• Usage: Italy, France, United States, Argentina