The name’s etymology is
quite debatable. Some experts divide the name "Copparo" in two to obtain
"coppa d'oro" (golden cup). Balboni states that its origin is not to be
found in today's word form but in the more ancient one contained in a privilege dating
back to 944 by pope Marino II addressed to Adria's Church which carries the words "Massa
Occuparii" and "Massa Copario". This document cannot
nevertheless be taken into account - as Franceschini wrote - because it was interpolated
in a very approximate way and it could be also regarded as false. He keeps on saying that
the place-name has a limited spread and it could only be found in the Greek-Byzantine area
(we have also to take in consideration Copara in Oristano area).
Some historians think there may be a link with the ancient San Pietro
di Copparo's port (XI century) and an etymon from "copa" (cargo ship)
cannot be reliably advanced as in the Ravenna area where the term "copa"
corresponds to sheaf of corn as well as to an agricultural unit of mesurement indicating a
soil quantity for which a "copa" of seeds is necessary.
The name’s etymology is
quite debatable. Some experts divide the name "Copparo" in two to obtain
"coppa d'oro" (golden cup). Balboni states that its origin is not to be
found in today's word form but in the more ancient one contained in a privilege dating
back to 944 by pope Marino II addressed to Adria's Church which carries the words "Massa
Occuparii" and "Massa Copario". This document cannot
nevertheless be taken into account - as Franceschini wrote - because it was interpolated
in a very approximate way and it could be also regarded as false. He keeps on saying that
the place-name has a limited spread and it could only be found in the Greek-Byzantine area
(we have also to take in consideration Copara in Oristano area). 
Some historians think there may be a link with the ancient San Pietro
di Copparo's port (XI century) and an etymon from "copa" (cargo ship)
cannot be reliably advanced as in the Ravenna area where the term "copa"
corresponds to sheaf of corn as well as to an agricultural unit of mesurement indicating a
soil quantity for which a "copa" of seeds is necessary.