Reno

♂ Boy

Pronounced REE-noh /ˈri.noʊ/High

Meaning: From Reno, Nevada — named for Civil War general Jesse Lee Reno, whose surname anglicized French Renault, 'ruler's counsel' — with Italian Reno river and Moreno-clipping side routesMedium

In 30 seconds: The Biggest Little Name in the World: Reno carries Nevada's neon city — itself named for a fallen general whose surname hid French 'ruler's counsel'. Dice optional, swagger included.

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Origin MediumAmerican, French

MeaningFrom Reno, Nevada — named for Civil War general Jesse Lee Reno, whose surname anglicized French Renault, 'ruler's counsel' — with Italian Reno river and Moreno-clipping side routes

U.S. rank (2025)#4505 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births23 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1996

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,158

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

Reno reached first-name use from the Nevada city, named for Union general Jesse Lee Reno — his Huguenot family's Renault ('counsel-rule' roots) Americanized. Italy contributes a River Reno through Bologna, and Spanish-speaking families sometimes clip Moreno. Vegas-adjacent cool and Reno 911! keep the word in lights.

As a given name it is rare, retro-flashy, and road-trip ready.

Did you know? Reno, Nevada honors General Jesse Reno, killed at South Mountain in 1862 — his family's name was Renault before America sanded it smooth.

Overall data confidence 72%

Nevada place-name references — Reno — city naming history

Variations

RenaultRennoRino

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Reno Wilson (1969-)
American actor known for the sitcom Mike & Molly and voice work in the Transformers films

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Royale— shares Reno's French roots

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Reno mean?

Reno comes from the Nevada city, named for General Jesse Reno, whose surname anglicized French Renault — 'ruler's counsel' by root.

How do you pronounce Reno?

It's said REE-noh /ˈri.noʊ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Reno a boy or girl name?

Reno is a boy's name.

How popular is Reno?

Reno is a rare name in the U.S.