Find out how popular the first name Cato has been for the last 48 years (from 1976 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cato by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Cato is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 22 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Cato.

The history of the first name Cato

The name Cato originated from the Ancient Roman cognomen Cato, which was derived from the Latin word "catus", meaning "wise" or "prudent". The name's origins can be traced back to the 3rd century BC in Ancient Rome.

Cato was a common name among the Roman gentes, particularly within the Porcian family. The most renowned bearer of this name was Marcus Porcius Cato, also known as Cato the Elder or Cato the Censor (234-149 BC). He was a Roman statesman, orator, and author, known for his unwavering opposition to the luxurious lifestyle of the Roman nobility and his advocacy for traditional Roman values.

The name Cato appears in various ancient Roman texts and historical records, such as the works of Plutarch and Cicero. It is also mentioned in religious scriptures, including the Bible, where Cato is referenced in the Book of Acts as a Roman officer stationed in Caesarea.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Cato dates back to the 3rd century BC with Marcus Porcius Cato, also known as Cato the Elder. Other notable figures throughout history who bore the name Cato include Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis (95-46 BC), a Roman statesman and Stoic philosopher known as Cato the Younger, who opposed the dictatorship of Julius Caesar.

In the 2nd century AD, the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius had a son named Lucius Cato, who was considered a potential heir to the throne. The 16th-century Italian humanist and philosopher Pietro Pomponazzi also had the given name Cato.

During the Renaissance period, the name Cato gained popularity among humanists and intellectuals who admired the principles and virtues associated with the ancient Roman figure Cato the Elder. One notable example is the Italian humanist Cato Sacco (1510-1592), who was a renowned scholar and translator.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Cato was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cato, please contact us.

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