ILGUR: Italian Language, Grammar and Usage Resource

Below are some guidelines and rules for use of the definite article with proper names of people:

1. The definite article is generally not used with the first names of people:

   Marco vuole comprare una nuova macchina.
   Marco wants to buy a new car.

   Cristina va in Spagna per tre settimane.
   Christina is going to Spain for three weeks.

2. When the first name of a person is modified by an adjective or another noun, generally a title or status, then the definite article generally is used:

   L’intelligente Daniela si è laureata tra 3 anni invece del solito 4 anni.
   The intelligent Daniela graduated within 3 years instead of the usual 4 years.
   
   L’imperatore Augusto ha dominato Roma per tanti anni.
   The emperor Augustus controlled Rome for many years.

3. When women are referred to only by their last name (surname or cognome, in Italian), the definite article is required:

   I paparazzi hanno seguito la Kidman ad un ristorante esclusivo a Milano.
   The paparazzi followed (Nicole) Kidman at an exclusive restaurant in Milan.

4. The definite article is required with the plural of family names:

   I Marconi sono andati in vacanza per l’estate.
   The Marconi family went on vacation for the summer.

   Dove abitano gli Sfiorini?
   Where does the Sfiorini family live?

5. The definite article is generally not used in front of masculine last names (cognomi). However, in journalistic writing and in government documents, you may encounter the definite article used with men, too.

   Take note also that the definite article is often used when men and women are described in the same context and then when the use of the definite article would help to avoid any ambiguity.

6. Very famous and well-known individuals who are generally known only by their last name generally do not require definite articles:

   Verdi, Garibaldi, Da Vinci, Pirandello

7. Some famous people do take the definite article, such as:

   l’Alferi, l’Aligheri, l’Ariosto, il Tasso

8. Nicknames of individuals that are adjectives used as nouns require the definite article:

   Il Rosso ha giocato bene ieri sera.
   The Red played well yesterday evening.

9. Adjectives that describe one’s place of birth or heritage used as nouns require the definite article:

   Il Bolognese ha scritto molte opere importanti.
   The Bolognese wrote many important works.
   (The writer from Bologna)
   
   Il Napoletano compose due concerti per il cembalo.
   The Neapolitan composed two concertos for the harpsichord.
   (The composer from Naples)

10. The definite (or the indefinite) article plus a last name of an artist, writer, etc. is often used to indicate an artist’s work or an artist’s style:

    Vedi il Tintoretto? Che bello!
    Do you see the Tintoretto? How beautiful!
    (il Tintoretto = il quadro di Tintoretto)