Jacinto

Meaning & origin

Jacinto is a Spanish and Portuguese name with deep roots in the classical world, referring to the hyacinth flower. In the United States, it remains a rare choice, ranking #2833 in 2025, though it is trending upward since 2018. Its peak year was 1909, the very year it first entered the U.S. records, hinting at a modest revival in recent decades. The name is most strongly associated with Texas and California, the top two states where it appears, reflecting its concentration within Hispanic communities. While never common, Jacinto carries a weight of history from its mythological and saintly associations, offering a distinctive alternative to more familiar floral names.

Jacinto derives from the Latin Hyacinthus, which in turn comes from the Greek Hyakinthos, the name of a mythical youth associated with a flower. The name has been used in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries since the Middle Ages, often in honor of Saint Hyacinth (San Jacinto), a 13th-century Dominican missionary. In the United States it remains uncommon, primarily appearing in communities with Hispanic heritage.