The surname Pivetta is of nickname origin and derives from terms such as piva or pivo. On this point E. Rossoni and F. De Laurentiis agree, relating it with these lexical bases, whether directly or through affectionate variants.

E. Rossoni notes several possible interpretations: it may be linked with the musical instrument (and, by extension, with the trade of musician), with the meaning of 'boy/young person' (related to pivello, 'novice'), or even with the name of a bird of marshy areas (pivetto). In this way, the surname reflects a nickname designation of multiple origin, arisen in dialectal contexts and later consolidated as a hereditary surname.