Declining since 2022, #4,857 for boys today.
Popularity of Gennaro since 1904
Babies named Gennaro per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1926, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gennaro's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 12 |
| 1910s | 250 |
| 1920s | 339 |
| 1930s | 238 |
| 1940s | 215 |
| 1950s | 183 |
| 1960s | 226 |
| 1970s | 217 |
| 1980s | 175 |
| 1990s | 189 |
| 2000s | 185 |
| 2010s | 165 |
| 2020s | 148 |
Meaning & origin
Gennaro is a classic Italian name with deep roots in southern Italy, especially Naples, where devotion to Saint Januarius (San Gennaro) has kept the name in continuous use for centuries. In the United States, Gennaro first appeared in records in 1904 and reached its peak popularity in 1913, reflecting waves of Italian immigration. Although its rank has fallen to 4,857th place in 2025, with only about 1 in 85,404 newborns receiving the name, Gennaro retains a strong cultural identity. Its declining trajectory since 2022 suggests it is currently less favored among new parents, but it remains a meaningful choice for families honoring Italian heritage. The name has been most common in New York, a state with a large Italian American population.
Gennaro is the Italian form of the Latin name Ianuarius, derived from Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, gates, and transitions. The name originally referred to the month of January. It has been a traditional name in southern Italy, particularly in Naples, where Saint Januarius (San Gennaro) is the patron saint. The feast of San Gennaro is celebrated on September 19 in Naples and by Italian diaspora communities worldwide.
Where Gennaro is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Gennaro” around the world
Where Gennaro lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
40
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Genny, Genn
Sibling names for Gennaro
Names that share Gennaro's style, for a brother or sister.
