Gio
BoyItalian· “short for Giovanni or Giorgio”
- Meaning
- short for Giovanni or Giorgio
- Origin
- Italian
- Pronunciation
- JOH
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,091
- US babies 2025
- 197
- Best rank
- #1,091 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Gio
Gio is an Italian name that is usually said to mean “short for Giovanni or Giorgio”.
Gio is a short form of Italian names beginning with Gio-, most often Giovanni, the Italian form of John, God is gracious, and Giorgio, the Italian form of George, farmer. In Italian gi before a vowel is pronounced like an English J, so Gio is said JOH, as a single syllable. It is widely used as a nickname in Italy and Italian-American families and increasingly as a given name in its own right. Related names include Giovanni, Giorgio, Giuseppe and Gianni. Short and friendly, it has a stylish Mediterranean feel.
Popularity over time
Gio first appears in US Social Security records in 2001. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #1,091, and its highest count, 197 babies. Use has grown 328% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #3,747 in 2010 and #1,091 in 2025. Of the 1,572 US boys named Gio since records began, 61% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 507 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Tylan, Lyam, Avyan, Ayman, and Rami.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Gio ranked highest in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #723 | 12 |
| Florida | #784 | 19 |
| Arizona | #802 | 7 |
| California | #818 | 30 |
| Massachusetts | #824 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 97% of US babies named Gio over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Gio is usually pronounced JOH, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with G and ends in “-io”.
Middle names for Gio
A few middle names that flow with Gio: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Gio
Similar names
Lists that include Gio
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gio mean?
Gio is an Italian name that is usually said to mean “short for Giovanni or Giorgio”.
What is the origin of the name Gio?
Gio has Italian roots. Gio is a short form of Italian names beginning with Gio-, most often Giovanni, the Italian form of John, God is gracious, and Giorgio, the Italian form of George, farmer.
Is Gio a popular name?
Not especially. Gio ranked #1,091 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Gio a boy or girl name?
Gio is mainly a boy's name. About 97% of US babies named Gio over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Gio?
Gio is usually pronounced JOH. 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