The name Gino is a diminutive form of the Italian name Gino, which is derived from the Italian form of the Latin name Hyginus. Hyginus was the name of a famous Roman grammarian and mythographer who lived in the 1st century AD. The name has its roots in the Greek word "hygieia," meaning health or soundness.

The name Gino has been popular in Italy for centuries, with early records showing its use as far back as the Middle Ages. One of the earliest notable bearers of the name was Gino da Pistoia, an Italian poet and lawyer who lived in the 13th century. Another famous Gino was Gino di Neri, a 14th-century Sienese painter known for his frescoes in the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.

In the Renaissance period, Gino was the name of several prominent figures, including Gino Capponi (1492-1576), an Italian statesman and historian, and Gino Bartali (1914-2000), an Italian cyclist who won the Tour de France twice and is revered for his efforts in saving Jewish lives during World War II.

The name Gino also has religious connotations, as it was the name of several saints and martyrs. One of the most notable was Saint Gino, a 7th-century bishop of Bari, Italy, who was known for his charitable works and miracles.

Other famous individuals named Gino throughout history include Gino Severini (1883-1966), an Italian painter and a leading member of the Futurist movement, and Gino Bartali (1914-2000), an Italian cyclist who won the Tour de France twice and is revered for his efforts in saving Jewish lives during World War II. Gino Cervi (1901-1973) was an Italian actor who appeared in over 100 films, while Gino Strada (1948-2021) was an Italian surgeon and humanitarian known for his work in war-torn regions.