The authors agree that the surname derives from the personal name Amore, in frequent use in the Middle Ages, and that the forms Dell'Amore and D'Amore were also used to designate foundling or illegitimate children, in the sense of "child of love".

E. De Felice notes that the surname is widespread and very frequent throughout southern Italy, and that the name Amore also served as the base for the compound name Bellamore.

F. Miranda specifies that the name arose towards the end of the Middle Ages as an auspicious and devotional name, with the sense of Christian charity and filial love, and that etymologically it comes from the Latin verb amare. He adds that it was given to a much-awaited child, and that there was also a link with the cult of Saint Amore, a monk of Amorbach in Franconia and patron of springs of curative waters. Miranda also broadens the geographical distribution: the surname appears in all the regions of Italy, with notable presence in Sicily, Campania, Lombardy, Lazio, Piedmont, Tuscany and Puglia. In Sicily it is documented especially in the areas of Catania, Ragusa, Syracuse, Agrigento and Caltanissetta.