E. Rossoni notes that this surname has independent origins in different regions of Italy. The Ligurian branch, concentrated mainly in the La Spezia area and in Genoa, would derive from the place name Godano —a locality now joined with Sesta in the comune of Sesta Godano. For the presence in the Crotone area, in Calabria, Rossoni considers a derivation from the Latin cognomen Gaudanus more likely, without ruling out a possible Waldensian origin.

The form Godano, a rarer variant, appears specific to La Spezia in Liguria, although it has a more significant presence in the Crotone area. P. Regati agrees in pointing to La Spezia as the surname's characteristic area.