Lito first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Lito has been for the last 46 years (from 1978 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Lito

A Spanish diminutive form of the masculine name Lito meaning "small".

Popularity of Lito by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Lito is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Lito.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 6 0
2017 7 0
1989 5 0
1988 5 0
1978 5 0

The history of the first name Lito

The name Lito is a diminutive form of the Spanish name Lito, which is derived from the Latin name Litus. The name Litus has its roots in the ancient Roman civilization, where it was used as a surname or cognomen. In Latin, the word "litus" means "shore" or "coast," suggesting a possible connection to coastal regions or maritime activities.

One of the earliest known references to the name Lito can be found in the writings of the Roman historian Tacitus, who mentions a Roman soldier named Litus Verginius Rufus in his work "Historiae." This historical record dates back to the 1st century AD, indicating the long-standing use of the name in Roman society.

During the Middle Ages, the name Lito gained popularity in various regions of the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in Spain and Portugal. It was often used as a diminutive form of the name Lito, reflecting the affectionate nature of these diminutives in Spanish-speaking cultures.

One notable figure bearing the name Lito was Lito Aparicio (1857-1917), a Venezuelan lawyer, politician, and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Venezuela in the early 20th century. Another historically significant individual was Lito Nebbia (1784-1835), an Argentine military leader who played a crucial role in the Argentine War of Independence.

In the realm of literature, the name Lito appeared in the works of the renowned Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547-1616). In his novel "Don Quixote," Cervantes included a character named Lito, a shepherd who encountered the protagonist, Don Quixote, during his adventures.

Lito Bravo (1914-2002) was a Cuban baseball player who played in the Negro Leagues and was inducted into the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame. His contributions to the sport and his representation of the name Lito in the sporting world are noteworthy.

It is important to note that while the name Lito has its roots in ancient Latin and Roman culture, its usage and popularity have evolved over time, particularly in Spanish-speaking regions, where it has maintained a presence as a diminutive form of the name Lito.

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

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

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"Lito first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 28, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/lito-meaning-and-history/.

"Lito first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/lito-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 28 April, 2025

Lito first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/lito-meaning-and-history/.

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