Holding steady, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Cayetano since 1906
Babies named Cayetano per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1937, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cayetano's real moment was 1906.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 34 |
| 1920s | 89 |
| 1930s | 81 |
| 1940s | 83 |
| 1950s | 77 |
| 1960s | 36 |
| 1970s | 56 |
| 1980s | 55 |
| 1990s | 59 |
| 2000s | 82 |
| 2010s | 59 |
| 2020s | 36 |
Meaning & origin
Cayetano is an Italian and Spanish name rooted in the Latin Caetānus, meaning 'from Gaeta.' It has been in continuous but rare U.S. use since its first recorded appearance in 1906. As of 2025, the name ranked 9,714th nationally, with an estimated 1 in 244,011 newborn boys given the name. Its peak year remains 1906, reflecting a pattern typical of many European-origin names that saw early use among immigrant communities but never achieved widespread popularity. Cayetano has not been recorded among the top names in any state, consistent with its status as a quietly enduring choice rather than a mainstream one. The name remains closely tied to reverence for Saint Gaetano and continues to be chosen by families honoring Italian or Hispanic heritage.
Cayetano derives from the Latin cognomen Caetānus, meaning 'from Gaeta' (an ancient port city in Latium, Italy). The name was borne by Saint Gaetano (Gaietanus), a 16th-century Italian priest and co-founder of the Theatine order. Over time, Cayetano became standard in Italian and Spanish naming traditions, particularly in Hispanic and Catholic families.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Caye
Variants: Gaetano, Caitano
Sibling names for Cayetano
Names that share Cayetano's style, for a brother or sister.
