"of the doorway god Janus"
Genaro
Does Genaro flow with your last name?
Named for Rome's god of beginnings and Naples' patron saint
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"patron of Naples"
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Genaro
Genaro is the Spanish form of Gennaro (Italian) and Januarius (Latin), all derived from Janus — the ancient Roman god of beginnings, doorways, and transitions, from whom the month of January takes its name. San Gennaro (Saint Januarius), a 4th-century bishop martyred under Emperor Diocletian, became the patron saint of Naples and one of the most venerated saints in Southern Italian and Catholic tradition.
Genaro has been a stable traditional name across Spanish-speaking Latin America and among Italian-American communities (as Gennaro). In the US, it's concentrated among Mexican-American and Neapolitan-descended families who maintain strong devotion to San Gennaro. The famous Feast of San Gennaro street festival in New York City's Little Italy keeps the name in cultural consciousness.
San Gennaro is one of the most famous miracle saints in Catholic tradition — his dried blood, preserved in a reliquary in Naples, is believed to liquify three times a year, with failure to do so regarded as an omen of disaster. The Feast of San Gennaro (September 19) draws pilgrims to Naples and Italian-American communities worldwide.
Historical Record
Genaro first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 6,231 babies have been named Genaro in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Genaro is past its peak , currently ranked #2,423 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Feast of San Gennaro in Naples attracts massive crowds each September 19, centered on the miracle of his liquifying blood
- New York City's Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy is one of the oldest and largest street fairs in the US, running since 1926
- Gennaro is the name of a beloved character in Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels, adding literary currency to the Italian form
Genaro in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Genaro
Genaro Garcia Luna
Politician
1968
Former Mexican Secretary of Public Security, convicted in the US in 2023 on drug trafficking charges
San Gennaro (Saint Januarius)
Religious
272
Bishop of Benevento, martyred under Emperor Diocletian around 305 AD; patron saint of Naples whose preserved blood is be...
Bishop of Benevento, martyred under Emperor Diocletian around 305 AD; patron saint of Naples whose preserved blood is believed to liquefy miraculously
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,423
- Total SSA Count
- 57
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Italian Mexican Latin American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Spanish heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Spanish heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Genaro
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Spanish)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Genaro
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About the Name Genaro
Genaro is a boy name with Spanish, Italian, Mexican, and Latin American origins . The name means "of the doorway god Janus" in Latin .
Genaro is currently ranked #2,423 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Genaro has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Genaro include Geno, Naro, and Genito. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis