Find out how popular the first name Gio has been for the last 23 years (from 2001 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gio by gender

Based on the last 23 years of data, Gio is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Gio being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 180 male babies and 7 female babies born with the name Gio.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 7 baby girls were named Gio in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Gio

Gio is a masculine given name with origins tracing back to the Italian language and culture. It is a shortened form of the Italian name Giovanni, which itself is derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Graced by God" or "God is gracious."

The name Gio gained popularity in Italy during the Middle Ages, particularly in regions such as Tuscany and Umbria. It was often used as a diminutive or nickname for Giovanni, which was a common name among Italian families at the time.

In terms of historical references, the name Gio can be found in various literary works, including poems and plays from the Renaissance era. One notable example is the character of Gio Battista in the play "La Mandragola" by the Italian playwright Niccolò Machiavelli, written in the early 16th century.

The earliest recorded examples of the name Gio date back to the 14th century, with records showing individuals bearing this name in various Italian cities and towns. Some notable historical figures with the name Gio include:

1. Gio Ponti (1891-1979), an influential Italian architect and designer known for his contributions to modern design and architecture.

2. Gio Evan (1916-2001), an Italian singer and actor who gained popularity in the mid-20th century for his interpretations of traditional Neapolitan songs.

3. Gio Pomodoro (1924-2002), an Italian sculptor and artist renowned for his large-scale public artworks and abstract metal sculptures.

4. Gio Rossi (1927-2018), an Italian film director and screenwriter who made significant contributions to the Italian cinema during the post-World War II era.

5. Gio Lupi (1929-2005), an Italian entrepreneur and businessman who co-founded the renowned Italian fashion brand GiovanneLupi.

While the name Gio has maintained a presence throughout Italian history, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly among Italian-American communities and those with cultural ties to Italy.

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 Gio was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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