Holding steady, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Primo since 1907
Babies named Primo per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Primo's real moment was 1907.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 126 |
| 1920s | 186 |
| 1930s | 123 |
| 1940s | 29 |
| 1950s | 65 |
| 1960s | 45 |
| 1970s | 43 |
| 1980s | 23 |
| 1990s | 51 |
| 2000s | 75 |
| 2010s | 72 |
| 2020s | 31 |
Meaning & origin
Primo is a name that wears its meaning on its sleeve, literally translating to 'first' from Latin via Italian and Spanish. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1907 (its peak year), though it has never been common. In the latest year available (2025), its rank stood at 7679, with an incidence of approximately 1 in 170,808 births. While it hasn't surged in revival like some vintage names, its stable trajectory suggests a steady if rare presence. Primo's direct association with excellence and primacy gives it a quality of distinction. It has no recorded top states or similar names, marking it as a singular choice that often reflects family heritage in Italian- or Spanish-speaking communities. As a name, it offers a clear, strong meaning and an international flair without sacrificing simplicity.
Primo derives directly from the Latin 'primus', meaning 'first' or 'foremost'. In Italian and Spanish, it is used as a given name and also as an adjective meaning 'first' or 'prime'. As a name, it has been used since the early 20th century in Italian and Spanish-speaking communities, occasionally among English speakers as a distinctive imported choice.
Sibling names for Primo
Names that share Primo's style, for a brother or sister.
