Justo
A masculine name of Spanish origin meaning "just" or "upright".
Name Census estimates that about 1,311 living Americans carry the first name Justo. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Justo today is around 43 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Justo births was 1986 (31 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Justo. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
1.3K
~ 1 in 261,445 Americans
Peak year
1986
31 babies that year
Average age
43
years old
2024 SSA rank
#8,614
Tracked since 1890
Popularity
Justo: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Justo from the 1890s through to the 2020s, spanning 14 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 248 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1980s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Justo by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Justo during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Justos live
The SSA's state-level files cover 4 states and territories. Texas, California, New York recorded the most babies named Justo, while Florida, New York, California recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 178 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Justo
The name Justo originated from the Latin word "justus," meaning "just" or "righteous." It first appeared during the Roman era and was used to describe someone who adhered to moral principles and lived a virtuous life.
This name has deep roots in the Christian tradition. In the Bible, Justus is mentioned as a surname for a Jewish Christian named Joseph, also known as Barsabbas. He was a disciple considered worthy to join the Twelve Apostles after Judas Iscariot's betrayal.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Justo was Justo de Urgel, a Spanish bishop who lived in the late 8th century. He is remembered for his role in the Adoptionist controversy, a theological debate over the nature of Christ's sonship.
In the 12th century, Justo de Logroño was a Spanish monk and missionary who traveled to Denmark and Sweden, spreading Christianity in Scandinavia. His efforts contributed to the conversion of many people in the region.
During the Renaissance, Justo Lipsio (1547-1606) was a renowned Flemish philosopher, philologist, and humanist. He made significant contributions to the study of ancient texts and is considered one of the most influential scholars of his time.
In the 19th century, Justo Sierra (1848-1912) was a Mexican writer, philosopher, and politician. He served as Minister of Public Instruction and Rector of the National University of Mexico, playing a crucial role in reforming the country's educational system.
Another notable figure was Justo Rufino Barrios (1835-1885), a Guatemalan military officer and President. He initiated significant reforms and modernization efforts in his country, but his authoritarian rule led to political instability and eventual assassination.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who carried the name Justo, reflecting its connection to principles of justice, righteousness, and moral integrity across different cultures and time periods.
People
Justo + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Justo as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with J
Other first names starting with J with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Justo: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Justo?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,311 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Justo going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 261,445 US residents.
Is Justo a common name?
We classify Justo as "Rare". It ranks above 91.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,729 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Justo most popular?
The single biggest year for Justo was 1986, when 31 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Justo is about 43 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Justo a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Justo in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.