"born in January"
Origin: Latin
Language: Italian
Gennaro
Pronunciation: [ j-uhn-AHR-oh ]
Does Gennaro flow with your last name?
A proud Neapolitan name honoring a beloved saint
Italian
Neapolitan
Southern Italian
Traditional
Vintage
Strong
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"of Janus, god of beginnings"
Origin: Roman
Language: Latin
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The Story of Gennaro
Gennaro is the Italian form of Januarius, derived from the Roman god Janus and the month of January. The name gained immense prestige as the name of San Gennaro (Saint Januarius), the patron saint of Naples, whose feast day in September draws massive celebrations. The saint's liquefaction of dried blood is one of Catholicism's most famous miracles.
Gennaro has been a staple of Southern Italian families for centuries, particularly in Campania and Naples. It remains common in Italian-American communities in New York and New Jersey, though it's considered vintage rather than trendy today.
San Gennaro is the patron saint of Naples, and the Feast of San Gennaro is celebrated with great fanfare both in Italy and in New York's Little Italy. Bearing this name carries deep religious and civic pride in Neapolitan culture.
Historical Record
Gennaro first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,467 babies have been named Gennaro in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Gennaro is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #4,699 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- San Gennaro's blood miracle has been observed for over 600 years
- The Feast of San Gennaro in New York City's Little Italy has been celebrated since 1926
- Gennaro was among the top 20 names in Naples for much of the 20th century
Gennaro in Other Languages
Latin
Januarius
French
Janvier
Spanish
Jenaro
Portuguese
Januário
Popularity Over Time
#4,699
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Gennaro
G
Gennaro Gattuso
Athlete
1978
Italian football manager and former AC Milan and Italy midfielder
G
Gennaro Contaldo
Other
1957
Italian chef and culinary mentor to Jamie Oliver, known for authentic Neapolitan cooking
S
San Gennaro
Religious
Catholic bishop and patron saint of Naples, martyred circa 305 AD, famous for the miracle of his liquefying blood
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4,699
- Total SSA Count
- 22
- Cultural Origins
- Italian Neapolitan Southern Italian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Genna
Naro
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, 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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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Italian 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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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Gennaro
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gennaro
What does the name Gennaro mean?
"born in January" (from Latin). "of Janus, god of beginnings" (from Roman). Gennaro is the Italian form of Januarius, derived from the Roman god Janus and the month of January. The name gained immense prestige as the name of San Gennaro (Saint Januarius), the patron saint of Naples, whose feast day in September draws massive celebrations. The saint's liquefaction of dried blood is one of Catholicism's most famous miracles.
What is the origin of the name Gennaro?
Gennaro has Latin, Roman, Italian, Neapolitan, and Southern Italian origins. In Latin, it means "born in January". In Roman, it means "of Janus, god of beginnings".
Is Gennaro a boy or girl name?
Gennaro is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Gennaro?
Gennaro is pronounced j-uhn-AHR-oh.
How popular is the name Gennaro?
Gennaro is currently ranked #4699 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Gennaro?
Common nicknames for Gennaro include Genna and Naro.
What are good middle names for Gennaro?
Popular middle name pairings include Gennaro Marco, Gennaro Luigi, Gennaro Antonio, Gennaro Carlo, and Gennaro Franco.
What are good sibling names for Gennaro?
Names that pair well with Gennaro as siblings include Lucia, Marco, Carmela, Salvatore, Rosa, and Enzo.
How many syllables does Gennaro have?
Gennaro has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Gennaro a common or rare name?
Gennaro is an uncommon name, ranked #4699 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Gennaro
Gennaro is a boy name with Italian, Neapolitan, and Southern Italian origins . The name means "born in January" in Latin .
Gennaro is currently ranked #4,699 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Gennaro has 3 syllables and is pronounced j-uhn-AHR-oh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Gennaro include Genna and Naro. 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