Selvaggio is an Italian surname derived from Savage, ultimately from Old French salvage or sauvage meaning "wild, untamed," and Latin silvaticus meaning "wild, from the woods." The name likely originated as a nickname for someone considered wild or uncouth, or perhaps for someone living in or near a forest.
Notable Bearers
Several individuals have carried the surname Selvaggio. Antonio Selvaggio and Piero Selvaggio (both born 1958) are Italian long-distance runners. Giulio Lorenzo Selvaggio (1728–1772) was an Italian canonist and archaeologist; he wrote on ecclesiastical law and antiquities. The surname also appears in the title Il Selvaggio, a discontinued Italian magazine (1924–1943) associated with the Strapaese movement, which celebrated rural Italian folk culture and opposed modernism.
Variants and Related Names
Italian variants include Salvaggi, Selvatici, and Salvatici. Cognates in English or French include Salvage, Savidge, Savege, Lesauvage, and Sauvage.
Key Facts
- Meaning: "wild, uncouth" (from Italian selvaggio)
- Origin: Italianize/redirect;
- Type: Nickname for a wild or forest-dwelling person
- Usage: Primarily Italian, with international cognates
Sources: Wikipedia — Selvaggio