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Home › Baby Names Directory › Galileo

Galileo

♂ Boy

Pronounced gah-lih-LAY-oh /ˌɡɑ.lɪˈleɪ.oʊ/High

Meaning: From Galilee, the region in northern Israel; an Italian name carried to fame by the astronomer Galileo GalileiMedium

In 30 seconds: The man who pointed a telescope at the heavens, made a name: Galileo means 'from Galilee' and belongs forever to the astronomer who proved the Earth moves. Bold, brilliant, and starbound.
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Origin MediumItalian, Hebrew
MeaningFrom Galilee, the region in northern Israel; an Italian name carried to fame by the astronomer Galileo Galilei
U.S. rank (2025)#4172 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births25 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 530

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219152025

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

Galileo derives from Galilee, the region of northern Israel, via Latin Galilaeus, 'Galilean'. It is bound to Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), the astronomer and physicist whose telescope and defense of a Sun-centered cosmos reshaped science.

In the U.S. it is very rare, chosen for its scientific grandeur and Italian music. Galilee-rooted, brilliant, and unmistakable.

Did you know? Galileo Galilei's full name doubled up — his first name was a form of his family surname, an old Tuscan custom of honoring an illustrious ancestor by repeating the name.
Overall data confidence 82%
Behind the Name — Galileo — etymology

Variations

GalileiGalileu

Nicknames

GaloLeo

Famous Bearers

  • ★Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
    Italian astronomer and physicist central to the Scientific Revolution
  • ★Galileo Ferraris (1847-1897)
    Italian physicist and electrical engineer who studied rotating magnetic fields

If you like Galileo…

Leonardo— a fellow Italian Renaissance-genius name
Matteo— a companion melodic Italian classic
Amadeo— another grand Italian name
Lorenzo— a sister stately Italian name

Explore names like Galileo

By themeitalianhistoricalscientific

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Galileo mean?

Galileo means 'from Galilee', the region in northern Israel; it's famous from the astronomer Galileo Galilei.

How do you pronounce Galileo?

It's said gah-lih-LAY-oh /ˌɡɑ.lɪˈleɪ.oʊ/ — four syllables, stress on the third.

Is Galileo a boy or girl name?

Galileo is a boy's name.

How popular is Galileo?

Galileo is a very rare name in the U.S.

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