Sisto

♂ Boy

Pronounced SEES-toh /ˈsiː.stoʊ/Low

Meaning: Sisto is the Italian form of Sixtus, a name borne by several early popes. It derives either from the Greek 'xystos' (polished, smoothed) or is read as the Latin for 'sixth.' In Italy it carries a strong ecclesiastical history.Low

In 30 seconds: Sisto is the Italian form of Sixtus, a papal name from Greek 'polished' or Latin 'sixth.' It came to the US with Italian families early last century (said SEES-toh).

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Origin MediumItalian, Latin

MeaningSisto is the Italian form of Sixtus, a name borne by several early popes. It derives either from the Greek 'xystos' (polished, smoothed) or is read as the Latin for 'sixth.' In Italy it carries a strong ecclesiastical history.

U.S. rank (2008)#12335 ↘ Falling

2008 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1935

Total births (all-time)≈ 406

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

Sisto is the Italian form of the ancient name Sixtus, worn by a line of early popes and drawn from the Greek 'xystos' (polished) or read as Latin 'sixth.' Italian immigrant families brought it to the United States, where it appeared in birth records in the early twentieth century.

Sisto was only about fifteen a year even at its peak, most visible among Italian-American families before mid-century and rare thereafter. It remains a distinctly Italian heritage name rather than a widely revived one.

Did you know? Several popes took the name Sixtus, rendered Sisto in Italian, so the name arrived in America already carrying centuries of church history.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Sisto — Italian form of Sixtus; Greek 'polished'/Latin 'sixth'; papal name; Italian-American heritage

Variations

SixtusSestoSixto

Nicknames

Sis

Famous Bearers

★Sisto Badalocchio (c. 1585-1647)
Italian Baroque painter and engraver of the Bolognese school

If you like Sisto…

Sixto— the Spanish sister form of the same papal name

Enzo— a like short Italian boy's name of the era

Aldo— a similar compact Italian heritage name

Dino— another two-syllable Italian boy's name

Explore names like Sisto

By themeheritage latin italian religious

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sisto mean?

It is the Italian form of Sixtus, a papal name from the Greek 'xystos' (polished) or read as the Latin for 'sixth.'

How do you pronounce Sisto?

It is said SEES-toh /ˈsiː.stoʊ/ - two syllables.

Is Sisto a boy or girl name?

Sisto is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Sisto?

Sisto was always rare in the United States, given to only about fifteen boys a year at its peak in the mid-nineteen-thirties.