The surname Padovani is of toponymic origin and derives from the demonym Padovano, that is, "inhabitant or native of Padua". On this point E. De Felice and F. De Laurentiis agree, noting that the surname was formed from this designation of geographical provenance, in line with a process frequent in the formation of Italian surnames.

E. De Felice further adds the existence of variants such as Padoano, Paduano and the old form Pavano, which reflects the linguistic evolution of the demonym in different areas. In this way, the surname originally identified people linked to the city of Padua, later becoming established as a hereditary surname.