"God is gracious (short for Giovanni)"
Origin: Italian/Hebrew
Language: Italian
Nino
Pronunciation: [ n-EEN-oh ]
Does Nino flow with your last name?
From Italian piazzas to Georgian saints — a name with soul
Italian
Georgian
Spanish
Portuguese
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International
Playful
Elegant
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"fire, light (Cappadocian origin)"
Origin: Georgian
Language: Georgian
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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.
Historical Record
Nino first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,255 babies have been named Nino in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Nino is past its peak , currently ranked #3,132 for boy names in the US .
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
French
Nino
German
Nino
Italian
Nino
Spanish
Niño
Georgian
ნინო
Popularity Over Time
#3,132
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1968
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Nino
N
Nino Rota
Musician
1911
Italian composer who created the iconic scores for The Godfather and many Fellini films
S
Saint Nino
Religious
4th-century Christian missionary who converted Georgia to Christianity, revered as Equal to the Apostles
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Compare Nino with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Nino
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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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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"desired, longed for"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nino
What does the name Nino mean?
"God is gracious (short for Giovanni)" (from Italian/Hebrew). "fire, light (Cappadocian origin)" (from Georgian). 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.
What is the origin of the name Nino?
Nino has Italian/Hebrew, Georgian, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese origins. In Italian/Hebrew, it means "God is gracious (short for Giovanni)". In Georgian, it means "fire, light (Cappadocian origin)".
Is Nino a boy or girl name?
Nino is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3132. As a girl name, it is ranked #47159. Nino is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Nino?
Nino is pronounced n-EEN-oh.
How popular is the name Nino?
Nino is currently ranked #3132 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Nino?
Popular middle name pairings include Nino Carlo, Nino Marco, Nino Luca, Nino Rafael, Nino Stefano, and Nino Emilio.
What are good sibling names for Nino?
Names that pair well with Nino as siblings include Marco, Luca, Sofia, Giulia, Enzo, and Mia.
How many syllables does Nino have?
Nino has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Nino a common or rare name?
Nino is an uncommon name, ranked #3132 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
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.
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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