Rising since 1986, #353 for boys today.
Popularity of Santino since 1913
Babies named Santino per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 25 |
| 1920s | 68 |
| 1930s | 11 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 19 |
| 1970s | 367 |
| 1980s | 554 |
| 1990s | 965 |
| 2000s | 2,524 |
| 2010s | 4,395 |
| 2020s | 4,691 |
Meaning & origin
Santino has been recorded in the United States since 1913, but its real rise began in the mid-1980s. It reached its peak rank of 353 in 2025, with about 1 in every 1,829 newborn boys receiving the name. The name is especially popular in Rhode Island, Delaware, and New Jersey. Its Italian heritage gives it a melodic, affectionate quality, and its steady climb over the past four decades suggests it appeals to parents seeking a name that feels both traditional and fresh.
Santino is an Italian diminutive of Santo, which derives from the Latin word 'sanctus' meaning 'holy' or 'saint'. It has long been used in Italy as a given name, often in honor of a saint or as a term of endearment. The name entered the U.S. naming pool in the early 20th century and has steadily gained popularity in recent decades.
Where Santino 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.
“Santino” around the world
Where Santino lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
35
babies in 2024
Quebec
10
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sant, Tino, Santy
Sibling names for Santino
Names that share Santino's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Santino
Names whose popularity has moved with Santino's over the last 50 years.
