Orsini is a surname of Italian origin, originally derived from Latin ''ursinus'' ("bearlike") and originating as an

epithet An epithet (, ), also a byname, is a descriptive term (word or phrase) commonly accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a real or fictitious person, place, or thing. It is usually literally descriptive, as in Alfred the Great, Suleima ...

sobriquet A sobriquet ( ) is a descriptive nickname, sometimes assumed, but often given by another. A sobriquet is distinct from a pseudonym in that it is typically a familiar name used in place of a real name without the need for explanation; it may beco ...

describing the name-bearer's purported strength. Notable people with the surname include the following: * Aaron Paul Orsini, American researcher on the intersection of psychelics and neurodivergence * Alessandro Orsini, Italian sociologist * Angel Orsini, American wrestler and bodybuilder *

Felice Orsini Felice Orsini (; ; 10 December 1819 – 13 March 1858) was an Italian revolutionary and leader of the '' Carbonari'' who tried to assassinate Napoleon III, Emperor of the French. Early life Felice Orsini was born at Meldola in Romagna, th ...

(1819–1858), Italian revolutionary who attempted to assassinate Napoléon III * Francesca Orsini, Italian scholar of South Asian literature * Giambattista Orsini (d. 1503), Italian Catholic cardinal * Marina Orsini (born 1967), Canadian actress * Nicolás Orsini (born 1994), Argentine footballer *

Richard Orsini Richard Orsini () was the count palatine of Cephalonia and Zakynthos from before 1260 to his death in 1303/4, and also Count of Gravina in 1284–91. He also served on behalf of the Angevin Kingdom of Naples as captain-general of Corfu in 1286 ...

, 13th-century ruler in Italy and the Balkans *

Umberto Orsini Umberto Orsini (born 2 April 1934) is an Italian actor. He achieved prominence as a stage actor in Luchino Visconti's company, before becoming known to general audiences for his roles in RAI television dramas. He won the Nastro d'Argento for B ...

(born 1934), Italian stage, television, and film actor * Valentino Orsini (1927–2001), Italian film director *

Orsini family The House of Orsini is an Nobility of Italy, Italian noble family that was one of the most influential princely families in Middle Ages, medieval Italy and Renaissance Rome. Members of the Orsini family include five popes: Pope Stephen II, Step ...

, Italian noble family, including: ** Alessandro Orsini (cardinal) (1592–1626), cardinal ** Clarice Orsini (1453–1488), wife of Lorenzo de' Medici, mother of Pope Leo X **

Fulvio Orsini Fulvio Orsini (11 December 1529 – 18 May 1600) was an Italian humanist, historian, and archaeologist. He was a descendant of the Orsini family, one of the oldest, most illustrious, and for centuries most powerful of the Roman princely families ...

(1529–1600), Italian historian ** Giordano Orsini (died 1438) (died 1438), 15th-century Italian cardinal ** Giordano Orsini (died 1173) (died 1173), Catholic prelate ** Giorgio Orsini (1410–1475), architect and sculptor **

Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III (; Wiktionary:circa, c. 1225 – 22 August 1280), born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 25 November 1277 to his death on 22 August 1280. He was a Roman nobleman who h ...

, born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini ** Giovanni Gaetano Orsini (cardinal) (c.1285–1335), nephew of Pope Nicholas III ** John II Orsini (died 1335), known as the Despot of Epirus ** Latino Orsini (1411–1477), Catholic cardinal **

Latino Malabranca Orsini Latino Malabranca Orsini (died 10 August 1294, Perugia) was a Roman noble, an Italian cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, and nephew of Pope Nicholas III. Though revered as 'blessed' by the Order of Preachers, his cause for beatification is still ...

(d. 1294), Catholic prelate ** Matteo Orsini (d. 1340), Catholic prelate ** Napoleone Orsini (1420–1480), condottiero and papal commander ** Paolo Orsini (1369-1416), condottiero **

Paolo Orsini (1450-1503) Paolo Orsini (1450 – 18 January 1503) was an Italian condottiero in the service of the Papal States, Ferdinand I of Naples, Ferdinand of Aragon and the Republic of Florence. He was marquess of Atripalda and lord of Mentana, Palombara Sabina and ...

, condottiero ** Paolo Giordano I Orsini (1541–1585), first duke of Bracciano ** Paolo Giordano II Orsini (1591–1656), nobleman **

Pope Benedict XIII Pope Benedict XIII (; ; 2 February 1649 – 21 February 1730), born Pietro Francesco (or Pierfrancesco) Orsini and later called Vincenzo Maria Orsini, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 29 May 1724 to his death in ...

, born Pietro Francisco Orsini ** Rinaldo Orsini (d. 1450), Lord of Piombino ** Virginio Orsini (1434–1497), Lord of Bracciano ** Domenico Napoleone Orsini (b. 1948), Duke of Gravina

See also