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Antonio

♂ Boy

Pronounced an-TOH-nee-oh /ænˈtoʊ.ni.oʊ/High

Meaning: Priceless, of inestimable worth — Italian/Spanish form of Anthony, from the Roman family name <em>Antonius</em>; meaning uncertain but traditionally glossed as 'priceless'Medium

In 30 seconds: The romantic Italian and Spanish form of Anthony, Antonio is one of the great names of the Mediterranean world — borne by Roman generals, Venetian merchants, and Shakespearean heroes alike.
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Origin HighLatin, Italian, Spanish
MeaningPriceless, of inestimable worth — Italian/Spanish form of Anthony, from the Roman family name <em>Antonius</em>; meaning uncertain but traditionally glossed as 'priceless'
Peak year1997
Total births (all-time)≈ 245,527

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199718802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Antonio is the Italian and Spanish form of Antonius, the ancient Roman family name. The gens Antonia was one of the great patrician families of Rome; Mark Antony (Marcus Antonius, c. 83–30 BC) was its most famous member. The meaning of the name is uncertain; 'priceless' or 'of inestimable worth' is the traditional gloss, but no clear etymology has been established.

Antonio has been popular in Italy and Spain for centuries and is widely used in the United States, particularly in Hispanic and Italian-American communities. It has been a steady presence in the U.S. top 100 boys' names. Famous bearers include composer Antonio Vivaldi and actor Antonio Banderas.

Did you know? Antonio in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice is the generous merchant whose pound of flesh sets the plot in motion, while another Antonio anchors The Tempest. Shakespeare clearly found the name dramatically irresistible.

Variations

AnthonyAntonyAnton

Nicknames

TonyToniAnto

Famous Bearers

  • ★Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741)
    Italian Baroque composer famous for The Four Seasons.
  • ★Antonio Banderas (b. 1960)
    Spanish actor known for roles in The Mask of Zorro and the Puss in Boots franchise.

If you like Antonio…

Miguel— Spanish/Portuguese classic with the same Mediterranean heritage and top-100 popularity
Carlos— Spanish royal name sharing Antonio's Latin-rooted elegance
Alejandro— grand Spanish classic with the same rolling four-syllable sound
Sebastian— romantic European name popular with the same multicultural audiences

Frequently Asked

What does the name Antonio mean?

Antonio is the Italian and Spanish form of Anthony/Antonius. The meaning is traditionally given as 'priceless' or 'of inestimable worth,' though the exact Roman etymology is uncertain.

How do you pronounce Antonio?

Antonio is pronounced an-TOH-nee-oh /ænˈtoʊ.ni.oʊ/ — four syllables with stress on the second.

Is Antonio a boy or girl name?

Antonio is a boys' name.

How popular is Antonio?

Antonio has been in the U.S. top 100 boys' names for decades, especially popular in Hispanic and Italian-American communities.