Italy's Surname Order Debate: 92.6% Still Put Father's Name First

Since Italy's Constitutional Court ruled in April 2022 that automatic paternal surname transmission is unconstitutional, parents must choose between father's, mother's, or both surnames. In 2023, 6.2% of newborns received double surnames nationally, rising to 17.5% in Milan (6,850 children). In Turin, sociologist Renzo Carriero found 15% of newborns in 2025 had double surnames, concentrated in higher-education districts. However, 92.6% of double-surname cases in Turin placed the father's name first, mirroring Spain where 99.53% still prioritize the paternal surname despite free choice since 1999. Carriero notes the choice is cultural and politically correlated: left-leaning areas show higher double-surname rates. Some parents face bureaucratic resistance: Matteo Mazza reported Milan's Buzzi Hospital computer system initially only allowed father-first order, forcing later correction. Celebrity examples include Federica Pellegrini (Giunta-Pellegrini), Gianmarco Tamberi (father first), and Miriam Leone (mother first). The court cited gender equality and child identity rights, but the order question reveals persistent patriarchal habits.