Gaetano
Gaetano is a boy's name of Italian origin.
Meaning
From Gaeta (a city in central Italy).
Origin and history
Gaetano is an Italian given name derived from the Latin designation 'Caietanus', meaning 'from Gaeta', a coastal city in central Italy. Historically popular in Southern Italy due to Saint Gaetano of Thiene, it was brought to the United States primarily by Italian immigrants. It remains a relatively rare but recognizable traditional Italian-American choice today.
Popularity in the United States
3,861 babies in the United States have been named Gaetano since 1880. It ranks #2049 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1797.
States where it is most popular
- NY (66.3 %)
- MA (9.9 %)
- NJ (9.2 %)
- PA (7.6 %)
- CT (2.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 35 |
| 1910-1920 | 546 |
| 1920-1930 | 658 |
| 1930-1940 | 316 |
| 1940-1950 | 221 |
| 1950-1960 | 236 |
| 1960-1970 | 359 |
| 1970-1980 | 351 |
| 1980-1990 | 275 |
| 1990-2000 | 267 |
| 2000-2010 | 257 |
| 2010-2019 | 210 |
| 2020-2029 | 130 |
Famous people named Gaetano
- Gaetano Donizetti: Composer
- Gaetano Rossi: Librettist
Nicknames
Guy, Tano, Gae
Fun facts
- The name originally served as a Latin habitational surname or identifier for someone hailing from the ancient port city of Gaeta.
- Renowned Italian romantic composer Gaetano Donizetti created famous operas such as Lucia di Lammermoor and L'elisir d'amore.