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Dino
Pronounced DEE-noh /ˈdiː.no/Medium
Meaning: diminutive of -dino names (e.g. Bernardino)Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Dino began as a diminutive ending clipped off Italian names like Bernardino, then took on a life of its own. Because it comes from that -dino suffix rather than a single root word, its meaning is tied to whichever fuller name a family had in mind. In Italy it has long been used as a standalone given name.
Two Hall of Fame athletes carry it: Dino Meneghin, the Italian basketball great inducted at Naismith, and Dino Ciccarelli, the Canadian NHL forward in the Hockey Hall of Fame. The single short syllable plus -o gives it an easy, energetic sound.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Dino Meneghin (1950–present)Italian basketball legend, Naismith Hall of Fame inductee.
- ★Dino Ciccarelli (1960–present)Canadian NHL player, Hockey Hall of Fame inductee.
Frequently Asked
What does the name Dino mean?
Dino is an Italian diminutive of names ending in -dino, such as Bernardino or Corradino, used as an independent name.
How do you pronounce Dino?
It's commonly said DEE-noh /ˈdiː.no/.
Is Dino a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Dino is used as a boy name.
How popular is Dino?
In 2024, Dino ranked #2712 in the U.S. for boys, with 48 births recorded.