A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Gaetano since 1904
Babies named Gaetano per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gaetano's real moment was 1910.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 35 |
| 1910s | 546 |
| 1920s | 658 |
| 1930s | 316 |
| 1940s | 221 |
| 1950s | 236 |
| 1960s | 359 |
| 1970s | 351 |
| 1980s | 275 |
| 1990s | 267 |
| 2000s | 257 |
| 2010s | 210 |
| 2020s | 130 |
Meaning & origin
Gaetano is an Italian given name that has been in consistent use in the United States since at least 1904, when it first appeared in Social Security records. Its peak year was 1910, reflecting a period of high Italian immigration. After declining through much of the 20th century, the name has been steadily rising since 2010, suggesting a renewed interest among parents honoring Italian heritage. Its primary state of popularity has been Illinois, home to a large Italian-American community. With a rank of 3949 in 2025 and an incidence of 1 in 63262 newborns, Gaetano remains a distinctive choice that maintains a strong cultural identity.
Gaetano derives from the Latin name Caietanus, meaning 'from Gaeta,' a coastal city in southern Lazio, Italy. The name was borne by Saint Gaetano (or Cajetan), a 16th-century Italian Catholic saint and co-founder of the Theatine order, which helped popularize the name in Italy and among Italian diaspora communities. It has remained a classic Italian name, often given in honor of the saint.
Where Gaetano is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gae, Gianni, Tano
Variants: Cajetan, Gaetan, Gaétan
Sibling names for Gaetano
Names that share Gaetano's style, for a brother or sister.
