Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Gennaro

Gennaro

♂ Boy

Pronounced jeh-NAR-oh /dʒɛˈnɑr.oʊ/Medium

Meaning: Italian form of Januarius — from Latin, 'of January; dedicated to Janus' (the god of doorways and beginnings)Medium

In 30 seconds: New beginnings: Gennaro is the Italian Januarius — 'of January, dedicated to Janus'. Devout, warm, and proud (San Gennaro of Naples).
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighLatin, Italian
MeaningItalian form of Januarius — from Latin, 'of January; dedicated to Janus' (the god of doorways and beginnings)
U.S. rank (2025)#4915 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births20 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1926
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,541

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192619042025

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

Gennaro is the Italian form of Januarius — from Latin, 'of January; dedicated to Janus' (the two-faced god of doorways and new beginnings). Borne by San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, it's a devout, proud name.

In the U.S. it appears in Italian families. Rare, of-January at the root, and devout.

Did you know? Januarius, 'of January' (dedicated to Janus, god of beginnings), is the beloved patron saint of Naples — Gennaro is the Italian form, devout and proud.
Overall data confidence 80%
Behind the Name — Gennaro — etymology

Variations

JanuariusGennar

Nicknames

Genna

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Gennaro…

Salvatore— a fellow Neapolitan classic
Carmine— another southern-Italian name
Rocco— a fellow Italian saint name
Genaro— another Latin name
Dinero— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Gennaro

By themelatinitaliansaint
By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Gennaro mean?

Gennaro is the Italian Januarius — 'of January; dedicated to Janus'.

How do you pronounce Gennaro?

It's said jeh-NAR-oh /dʒɛˈnɑr.oʊ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Gennaro a boy or girl name?

Gennaro is a boy's name.

How popular is Gennaro?

Gennaro is a rare name in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia