Primo

♂ Boy

Pronounced PREE-moh /ˈpriː.moʊ/Medium

Meaning: From Italian primo, 'first,' from Latin primus — traditionally given to a firstborn son. In Spanish, primo means 'cousin,' a separate everyday sense worth knowing. The writer Primo Levi is the best-known bearer.Medium

In 30 seconds: An Italian name for a firstborn: Primo means 'first' (said 'PREE-moh').

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Origin MediumItalian, Latin

MeaningFrom Italian primo, 'first,' from Latin primus — traditionally given to a firstborn son. In Spanish, primo means 'cousin,' a separate everyday sense worth knowing. The writer Primo Levi is the best-known bearer.

U.S. rank (2024)#13702 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1921

Total births (all-time)≈ 864

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

Primo is Italian for 'first,' from Latin primus, and was traditionally given to a firstborn son — part of an old Roman habit of numbering children. The chemist and writer Primo Levi gave it lasting weight in the twentieth century. In Spanish the same word means 'cousin,' which families may want to know (said 'PREE-moh').

In the U.S. it is very rare for boys. Rare, Italian, and confident.

Did you know? Roman families numbered their children, and Italian kept the habit — Primo, 'first.' The writer Primo Levi, chronicler of Auschwitz, is the name's most famous bearer. Note that in Spanish primo means 'cousin' (said 'PREE-moh').

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Primo — Italian primo 'first'; Latin primus; Spanish 'cousin' noted

Variations

PrimusPrima

Nicknames

PriMo

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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Explore names like Primo

By themelatin italian rare

By meaningGift / Blessing

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Primo mean?

Primo is Italian for 'first' (Latin primus), traditionally given to a firstborn son. In Spanish the same word means 'cousin.'

How do you pronounce Primo?

It's said PREE-moh /ˈpriː.moʊ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Primo a boy or girl name?

Primo is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Primo?

Primo is a very rare name for boys in the U.S.