"God is gracious (short for Giovanni)"
Nino
Pronunciation: [ n-EEN-oh ]
From Italian piazzas to Georgian saints — a name with soul
Meaning & Origin
"fire, light (Cappadocian origin)"
Things to Know About This Name
- In Spanish, niño means child/boy which may cause confusion
The Story of Nino
Nino carries different roots depending on the culture. In Italian and Spanish, it is a diminutive of Giovanni (John) or Antonio, meaning God is gracious. In Georgia (the country), Nino is the name of the 4th-century Christian missionary Saint Nino, who evangelized the Caucasus region — making it one of the most sacred names in Georgian Orthodox Christianity. The Georgian Nino derives from a Cappadocian name possibly connected to fire or light.
In Italy, Nino has been a beloved nickname-name for generations, evoking a warm Mediterranean spirit. In Georgia, it remains perennially popular as the name of their most venerated saint. The name has gained cosmopolitan appeal as Italian culture has spread globally through food, fashion, and film.
Saint Nino of Cappadocia is the Equal-to-the-Apostles missionary who brought Christianity to Georgia in the 4th century AD. She is depicted holding a cross made of grapevines — the grapevine cross is Georgia's national symbol. Naming a child Nino in Georgia carries deep spiritual and national meaning.
Fun Facts
- In Georgia, Nino is primarily a girl's name honoring Saint Nino, the country's patron saint
- In Italy, Nino is a classic boy's nickname-name short for Giovanni or Giovanino
- Saint Nino's cross, made of grapevines, is the most recognizable symbol of Georgian Christianity
Nino in Other Languages
Famous People Named Nino
Nino Rota
Musician
1911
Italian composer who created the iconic scores for The Godfather and many Fellini films
Saint Nino
Religious
4th-century Christian missionary who converted Georgia to Christianity, revered as Equal to the Apostles
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,132
- Total SSA Count
- 39
- Cultural Origins
- Italian Georgian Spanish Portuguese
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Nino is also used as a girl name, ranked #47159.
View Nino as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nino
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About the Name Nino
Nino is a boy name with Italian, Georgian, Spanish, and Portuguese origins . The name means "God is gracious (short for Giovanni)" in Italian/Hebrew .
Is Nino a boy or girl name? Nino is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,132 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #47,159. Nino is more commonly used as a boy name.
Nino is currently ranked #3,132 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Nino has 2 syllables and is pronounced n-EEN-oh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.