Tony

♂ Boy

Pronounced TOH-nee /ˈtoʊ.niː/High

Meaning: Priceless or inestimable; a short form of Anthony, from the Roman family name Antonius, possibly related to the Greek anthos meaning flower, or of Etruscan origin meaning praiseworthyHigh

In 30 seconds: Tony is a buoyant short form of Anthony, the great Roman family name of uncertain but possibly Etruscan origin, worn by saints, gangsters, and superheroes from Tony Montana to Tony Stark.

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Origin HighLatin

MeaningPriceless or inestimable; a short form of Anthony, from the Roman family name Antonius, possibly related to the Greek anthos meaning flower, or of Etruscan origin meaning praiseworthy

U.S. rank (2025)#784 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births325 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1961

Total births (all-time)≈ 251,594

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Tony is a diminutive of Anthony, from the Roman family name Antonius. The etymology is debated: it may come from a Greek anthos (flower), though this is unlikely given the Latin origin. It more probably derives from an Etruscan source. Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) popularized the name across Catholic Europe.

Tony became extremely popular in the United States in the mid-20th century, especially in Italian-American communities where Antony/Antonio was common. It ranked in the top 30 boys names in the 1950s and 1960s. While less dominant now, it retains cheerful familiarity and is used across cultures.

Did you know? The Tony Awards, the most prestigious honor in American theatre, were established in 1947 and named after Antoinette Perry, an actress and producer known as Tony. This means one of Broadway's highest honors carries a nickname as its formal name.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Anthony — Roman etymology underlying TonyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AnthonyAntonioToni

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Tony Hawk (1968–present)
American professional skateboarder known for landing the first 900-degree spin in competition in 1999.
★Tony Bennett (1926–2023)
American singer and artist known for I Left My Heart in San Francisco, who performed for over seven decades and recorded with Lady Gaga.

If you like Tony…

Joey— same mid-century American nickname-as-full-name with Italian-American warmth

Johnny— shares the buoyant two-syllable -ny ending nickname tradition

Frankie— same Italian-American nickname culture and friendly short-name energy

Tommy— fellow classic two-syllable -my/-ny American nickname standing as a full name

Frequently Asked

What does the name Tony mean?

Tony carries the meaning of Anthony, likely priceless or praiseworthy, from the Roman family name Antonius of Etruscan origin.

How do you pronounce Tony?

It is said TOH-nee, two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Tony a complete name or a nickname?

Tony is both a common nickname for Anthony and a full standalone given name, especially popular in Italian-American communities.

Is Tony still a popular boys name?

Tony remains in steady use in the United States, particularly in communities with Italian, Hispanic, and African-American naming traditions.