50+ Mafia Last Names: Italian, Russian, Irish & More

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A comprehensive list of unique monikers for mafiosos

Co-authored by Eric McClure

Last Updated: September 1, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Historical Mafia Names
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• Italian
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• Russian & Eastern European
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• Irish
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• Jewish
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• Other Cultures
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• Tips

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Whether you’re writing a story that involves the mafia or looking for a cool name for your RPG character, you may be wondering what gives all of those mafioso names that certain je ne sais quoi that strikes fear in the heart. Here, we’ll cover all sorts of different names from various cultures, contexts, and traditions, so that you can find the perfect name.

Mafia Last Names for Characters

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• Real Mafia Last Names: Gambino, Capone, Escobar, Genovese, Luciano
• Italian: Valentino, Rossi, Conti, Corleone, Angelini
• Russian: Romanov, Markhov, Bilyk, Gutnik, Novak
• Irish & Jewish: Adler, Katz, Kilpatrick, McGregor, Larson

Steps

Section 1 of 6:

Real Mafia Names

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1. 
   A lot of the classic-sounding Mafia names are based in reality. All of these following last names are based in history—there was either an organized crime syndicate that used the last name in their title (like “Genovese” in the Genovese Crime Family), or the name was deeply prominent inside a larger formal organization (like “Capone” in the Chicago Outfit).

   • Gambino: A Sicilian name meaning “short legs” or "little legs.”
   • Capone: Italian for “big head.” (We promise all the name meanings aren’t just size descriptors plus a body part—just the first two).
   • Escobar: A Spanish name meaning “overgrown place.”
   • Genovese: “Someone from Genoa” in Italian.
   • Luciano: An Italian name with Spanish and Portuguese origins that means “light.”
   • Lucchese: “From Lucca” in Italian.
   • Mogilevich: A Russian name that means “someone from Mogilev.”
   • Anastasia: In Greek, “resurrection.”
   • Costello: An Irish name meaning “son of Oisdealbhach.”
   • Blanco: Spanish for “white.”
   • Lucas: Originally Latin, it means “bringer of light.”
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Section 2 of 6:

Italian

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1. 
   In the greater context of history, Italy hasn’t been the greatest country at keeping things under control for its citizens. A weak government and a long history of invasions from foreign states created a cultural need for organizations that would protect people who needed it, while helping to maintain the local culture. Thus, mafias were born. Even today, many Italians trust local crime families to handle social issues over the state! Here are some popular Italian names that sound mafia-esque:

   • Valentino: “Vigorous” or “healthy.”
   • Rossi: “Red.”
   • Conti: “Count” or “compassion.”
   • Corleone: Associated with Sicily specifically, it means “someone from Corleone.”
   • Angelini: “Son of Angelo.”
   • Moretti: A Jewish Italian name meaning “dark hair” or “rich worker.”
   • DeLuca: “Son of Luke.”
   • Soprano: “Upper” or “person above others.”
   • Costanza: “Firm” or “steadfast.”
   • Caruso: Sicilian name meaning “young apprentice.”

Section 3 of 6:

Russian & Eastern European

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1. 
   Like Italy, Russia and many Eastern European states have been susceptible to organized crime due to the struggles of the state governments when it came to maintaining order. And like Italy, many Russians and Eastern Europeans still reach out to their local mafia to solve interpersonal issues before they consider contacting any officials. Here are some Russian and Eurasian mafia-esque names:

   • Romanov: “Son of Rome.”
   • Markhov: “Son of Mark.”
   • Bilyk: “White” or “pale” (especially in the context of hair).
   • Gutnik: “Glass maker.”
   • Novak: “New to the area” in Serbian.
   • Smirnov: “Son of peace” or “son of stillness.”
   • Volkov: “Wolf”
   • Kozlov: “Male goat.”
   • Hodžić: A Bosnian name meaning “descendant of the religious teacher.”
   • Petrović: “Son of Peter” or “Son of Petar.”
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Section 4 of 6:

Irish

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1. 
   While not as culturally popular in media as Russian or Italian mafias, people of Irish descent come from a history rife with oppression, diaspora, and national instability—all of the ingredients that give rise to organized criminal groups. Irish mobs were just as prolific and expansive as their Italian comrades, even if they don’t have as many cool movies. Here are some popular Irish mafia-esque names:

   • Sullivan: “Dark-eyed.”
   • McDonnel: “World”
   • Kilpatrick: “Church of St. Patrick.”
   • McGregor: “Son of Gregor.”
   • Mulligan: A Gaelic word for “grandson of a bald man.”
   • O’Hara: Irish name meaning “descendant of Eaghra.”
   • Murphy: “Descendent of Murchadh,” or “sea battler.”

Section 5 of 6:

Jewish

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1. 
   The Jewish people have faced oppression, cultural stigma, and economic suppression throughout history, all factors that tend to contribute to the rise of organized crime. Here are some Jewish surnames that are perfect for your fictional mafia characters:

   • Adler: A German-Jewish name meaning “eagle.”
   • Katz: Comes from a Hebrew word of “priest of the righteous.”
   • Larson: A Jewish name with Scandinavian origins, it translates to “son of Lars.”
   • Siegel: A German-Jewish name meaning “maker of rings.”
   • Lutz: A Swiss-Jewish name that means “son of Ludwig.”
   • Silverman: A German-Jewish name meaning “silver worker.”
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Section 6 of 6:

Other

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1. Organized crime has existed throughout history in every culture and place of national origin. It’s not just Italians, Russians, Irishmen, and Jewish people—Mexican cartels, Japanese Yakuza, Chinese Triads, American gangs, Dutch drug gangs…every possible culture has had organized crime. Here are some great mafia-sounding names from other cultures not yet covered:

   • Morales: A Spanish and Portuguese name meaning “blackberry bush” or “mulberry tree.”
   • Fox: An English name that is a direct reference to actual foxes.
   • King: Old English for “cyning,” which means “ruler.”
   • Inagawa: A Japanese name meaning “rice plant river.”
   • Jones: There’s something kind of ominous about a mafioso with a “normal” name. It’s Middle English for “son of John.”
   • Lancaster: A British name for anyone from Lancaster.
   • Castillo: An Argentinian-Spanish name for “castle.”
   • Kane: A Scottish name meaning “warrior” or “fighter.”
   • Quinn: An Anglicized version of an Irish name that means “wisdom.”
   • Burke: An Anglo-Norman name that means “fortress.”

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• Check out our gangster name generator if you’re looking for unique individual names for your fictional mafia! While you’re at it, you might get a kick out of our Mafia RPG game.
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