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Home › Baby Names Directory › Ontario

Ontario

♂ Boy

Pronounced on-TAIR-ee-oh /ɒnˈtɛr.i.oʊ/Medium

Meaning: A place name from Lake Ontario and the Canadian province, of Iroquoian origin often read as 'beautiful water; sparkling water; great lake.' As a given name it reads bold and geographic; routes layered.Low

In 30 seconds: A grand place name: Ontario is read as 'beautiful water; sparkling water' (said 'on-TAIR-ee-oh'). Bold and geographic.
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Origin LowIroquoian, American
MeaningA place name from Lake Ontario and the Canadian province, of Iroquoian origin often read as 'beautiful water; sparkling water; great lake.' As a given name it reads bold and geographic; routes layered.
U.S. rank (2024)#10601 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1991
Total births (all-time)≈ 877

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199119672024

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

Ontario is an Iroquoian place name — Lake Ontario and the province — often glossed 'beautiful water; sparkling water; great lake.' As a given name it reads bold and geographic; routes layered, which we note (said 'on-TAIR-ee-oh').

It appears only rarely as a first name in the U.S. Rare, place-based, and bold.

Did you know? Ontario names a Great Lake and a Canadian province — of Iroquoian origin, often read as 'beautiful water; sparkling water' — a bold place name whose route is layered, which we note (said 'on-TAIR-ee-oh').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Ontario — Iroquoian place name; 'beautiful water'; layered

Variations

OntariyoOntarrioOntari

Nicknames

TarioAri

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ontario…

Denver— a like place-name pick
Orlando— a like flowing place-name
Montana— a like geographic name
Damario— shares Ontario's American roots
Jamario— shares the -io ending

Explore names like Ontario

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ontario mean?

Ontario is an Iroquoian place name (a Great Lake and province) often read as 'beautiful water; sparkling water.' The route is layered, which we note.

How do you pronounce Ontario?

It's said on-TAIR-ee-oh /ɒnˈtɛr.i.oʊ/ — four syllables, stress on the second.

Is Ontario a boy or girl name?

Ontario is a boy's name.

How popular is Ontario?

Ontario is a rare name in the U.S.

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