The surname Oriani is of toponymic origin and may derive from places such as Oriano or from the toponymic type Orio, fairly diffused in northern Italy. On this point E. De Felice and E. Rossoni agree, noting that the surname would have been formed as a demonym to indicate provenance from these cores, following a process usual in the formation of Italian surnames.

E. Rossoni further adds a possible alternative interpretation, proposing that in some cases the surname could derive from the personal name Oriano, in turn related to the Latin Aurelianus. In this way, the surname may reflect both a geographical origin and, to a lesser extent, an anthroponymic base.