Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Antonio
BoyItalian, Latin· “Roman family name; meaning uncertain”
- Meaning
- Roman family name; meaning uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Italian, Latin
- Pronunciation
- an-TOH-nee-oh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #176
- US babies 2025
- 2,058
- Best rank
- #71 (1976)
- Peak year
- 1997
Meaning and origin of Antonio
Antonio is often said to mean “Roman family name; meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Italian and Latin roots.
Antonio is the Italian and Spanish form of Antonius, the name of an ancient Roman family whose best-known member was Mark Antony. Its origin is uncertain and possibly Etruscan; the old association with Greek anthos, "flower", is a later popular link. Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the most beloved Catholic saints, and Saint Anthony the Great, an early desert monk, carried the name across Europe and Latin America. Shakespeare gave the name to the title character of The Merchant of Venice. The composer Antonio Vivaldi is another famous bearer. Antonio sounds warm and rhythmic, and Tony, Toni and Nino are familiar nicknames.
Popularity over time
Antonio has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #71 in 1976, and the most babies received it in 1997, when 5,069 were named Antonio. In 2025, 2,058 babies were named Antonio, and it ranked #176 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #190 in 1920, #210 in 1950, #77 in 1980, #82 in 2000, #109 in 2010, and #176 in 2025. Of the 262,995 US boys named Antonio since records began, 18% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 46,248 babies. Since 2010, 40,962 more have been named Antonio.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Tanner, Spencer, Dalton, Malik, and Devin.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Antonio ranked highest in New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #50 | 30 |
| Rhode Island | #98 | 11 |
| Texas | #117 | 339 |
| California | #124 | 326 |
| Arizona | #127 | 69 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Antonio is usually pronounced an-TOH-nee-oh, with four syllables. It has seven letters, starts with A and ends in “-io”.
Middle names for Antonio
A few middle names that flow with Antonio: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Antonio
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Lists that include Antonio
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Antonio mean?
Antonio is often said to mean “Roman family name; meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Italian and Latin roots.
What is the origin of the name Antonio?
Antonio has Italian and Latin roots. Antonio is the Italian and Spanish form of Antonius, the name of an ancient Roman family whose best-known member was Mark Antony.
Is Antonio a popular name?
Yes. Antonio ranked #176 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Antonio a boy or girl name?
Antonio is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Antonio?
Antonio is usually pronounced an-TOH-nee-oh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings