Cato

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAY-toh /ˈkeɪ.toʊ/High

Meaning: From the Latin cognomen Cato, related to the root catus meaning sharp, shrewd, or all-knowing; borne by famous Roman statesmen as a mark of intellectual distinctionHigh

In 30 seconds: Cato is an ancient Roman name meaning wise or all-knowing, borne by two of Rome's most celebrated statesmen and enjoying a modest modern revival for parents drawn to classical brevity.

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Origin HighLatin

MeaningFrom the Latin cognomen Cato, related to the root catus meaning sharp, shrewd, or all-knowing; borne by famous Roman statesmen as a mark of intellectual distinction

U.S. rank (2025)#2804 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births45 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 675

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cato was a Roman cognomen, a type of hereditary family nickname, derived from the Latin root catus meaning sharp-witted or shrewd. The name was made famous by Marcus Porcius Cato the Elder (234–149 BC), a statesman and author who championed Roman tradition, and his equally renowned great-grandson Cato the Younger.

Cato the Younger (95–46 BC) became the gold standard of Stoic integrity in the ancient world and an enduring symbol of liberty. His name was adopted by the American libertarian Cato Institute and used as a pseudonym by Founding-era pamphleteers. In modern popular culture, a character named Cato appears in The Hunger Games series, introducing the name to a new generation.

Did you know? Cato the Younger was so famously incorruptible that he became a symbol of republican virtue; his name was invoked by American Founders like Alexander Hamilton and James Madison in the Federalist Papers debate.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Cato — Latin etymology and Roman usageOxford Classical Dictionary — Cato entries — biographical data for Cato the Elder and Younger

Variations

CatonCatone

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Marcus Porcius Cato (the Elder) (234–149 BC)
Roman statesman, soldier and author known as Cato the Censor, a champion of Roman tradition and author of De Agri Cultura.
★Marcus Porcius Cato (the Younger) (95–46 BC)
Roman Stoic philosopher and senator renowned for his incorruptible integrity and his opposition to Julius Caesar.

If you like Cato…

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cato mean?

Cato comes from Latin and means sharp-witted, shrewd, or all-knowing, from the root catus.

How do you pronounce Cato?

It is pronounced KAY-toh, two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Cato a boy or girl name?

Cato is traditionally a boys name, rooted in Roman male cognomens.

How popular is Cato?

Cato is a rare but historically rich choice that has seen modest modern interest, partly due to The Hunger Games character and the Cato Institute.