Declining since 1999, #2,258 for boys today.
Popularity of Genaro since 1908
Babies named Genaro per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 159 |
| 1920s | 401 |
| 1930s | 421 |
| 1940s | 390 |
| 1950s | 532 |
| 1960s | 532 |
| 1970s | 769 |
| 1980s | 924 |
| 1990s | 1,267 |
| 2000s | 1,274 |
| 2010s | 631 |
| 2020s | 364 |
Meaning & origin
Genaro is a distinctive Italian and Spanish variant of Januarius, a name rooted in Roman mythology and early Christian sainthood. While it has never been a top-tier choice in the United States, it reached its peak popularity in 1999, when it ranked 2,258 nationwide. Since then, its usage has been steadily declining. In 2025, approximately 1 in 27,550 newborn boys received the name. Geographically, Genaro is most common in Texas and California, reflecting concentrations of Italian and Hispanic communities. The name's classic sound and religious heritage make it a meaningful choice for families seeking a less common alternative to more mainstream Italian or Spanish names.
Genaro is the Italian and Spanish form of Januarius, a Latin name meaning 'belonging to Janus,' the Roman god of beginnings and doorways. The name Januarius was borne by several early Christian saints, including a third-century bishop and martyr of Benevento. While the Italian spelling with 'G' emerged from the phonetic shift from 'J' in Latin, the name has been used in Spanish-speaking and Italian communities, especially in the Americas.
Where Genaro is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Genaro” around the world
Where Genaro lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Gennaro, Giannaro
Sibling names for Genaro
Names that share Genaro's style, for a brother or sister.
