MallowbyNames

Spero

SPEHR-oh · Hope (from the Latin verb spero, to hope).

Peak popularity
1932
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Spero since 1915

Babies named Spero per year in U.S. Social Security records.

5914192019602000Most births 1932Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1910s38
1920s80
1930s44
1940s28
1950s66
1960s48
1970s12
1980s0
1990s0
2000s0
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Spero is a rare Italian name directly taken from the Latin word for 'hope.' It first appeared in U.S. records in 1915 and reached its peak usage in 1932, though even then it never ranked among the top 1000 names. In 2025, the name's trajectory remains stable but rare, with fewer than 5 births per year. Spero has no top states or similar names in the dataset, reflecting its niche status. For parents seeking a distinctive name with a virtuous meaning and Italian heritage, Spero offers a unique option without modern revival trends.

Spero is derived directly from the Latin verb sperare, meaning 'to hope.' In Italian, the name was used as a given name, occasionally as a short form of names like Speranza. It was most common among Italian immigrant communities in the early 20th century.

Sibling names for Spero

Names that share Spero's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

S is for Spero, our favorite little boy.

S is for Spero…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Spero's letter becomes Spero's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Spero's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Spero mean?
Spero means 'hope,' from the Latin verb sperare.
How popular is the name Spero?
Spero has never ranked in the top 1000 for any year (rank is null). Its peak usage was in 1932, but it remains very rare.
Is Spero a boy's name or a girl's name?
Spero is almost exclusively used for boys.