Declining since 2021, #4,139 for boys today.
Popularity of Galileo since 1915
Babies named Galileo per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 38 |
| 2000s | 82 |
| 2010s | 203 |
| 2020s | 197 |
Meaning & origin
Galileo is an Italian name permanently linked to the pioneering astronomer Galileo Galilei, who advanced heliocentrism and modern observational astronomy. Despite this towering association, the name remains rare in the United States. According to Social Security data, it first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1915 and has always been uncommon. In 2024, it ranked 4,139th, with approximately 1 in every 68,323 boys receiving the name, and its peak year so far was 2022. Usage has been falling slightly since 2021. The name has been most often recorded in California, reflecting the state's diverse naming trends. Parents drawn to Galileo tend to appreciate its scholarly, celestial, and Italian Renaissance flavor, often pairing it with similarly grand or artistic names for siblings. Its rarity ensures that a child named Galileo carries a distinctively scientific legacy without being overly common.
Galileo is an Italian given name and surname, most famously borne by the astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei (1564-1642). The name derives from the Latin 'Galilaeus', meaning 'Galilean' or 'inhabitant of Galilee'. It was a given name in his family for multiple generations, following a tradition of naming children after ancestors. The name has been used sporadically in Italy and beyond, often chosen by parents inspired by the scientist's legacy.
Where Galileo is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Leo, Gali, Lele
Sibling names for Galileo
Names that share Galileo's style, for a brother or sister.
