Tano

♂ Boy

Pronounced TAH-noh /ˈtɑː.noʊ/Medium

Meaning: An Italian short form of Gaetano ('from Gaeta'); the same sound is also the Akan name of the Tano, a sacred river of Ghana, tied to a river deity, noted honestly. Both given honestly.Low

In 30 seconds: A warm short name: Tano shortens the Italian Gaetano, and names an Akan sacred river (said 'TAH-noh'). Bright and layered.

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Origin LowItalian, Akan

MeaningAn Italian short form of Gaetano ('from Gaeta'); the same sound is also the Akan name of the Tano, a sacred river of Ghana, tied to a river deity, noted honestly. Both given honestly.

U.S. rank (2022)#10720 ↗ Rising

2022 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2018

Total births (all-time)≈ 35

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

Tano is an Italian short form of Gaetano and, separately, an Akan river name of Ghana. It reads warm and bright — rare in the U.S. (said 'TAH-noh').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely. Rare, warm, and layered in route.

Did you know? Tano is an Italian short form of Gaetano ('from Gaeta'); the same sound is the Akan name of the Tano, a sacred river of Ghana tied to a river deity, which we note honestly — a bright, layered name (said 'TAH-noh').

Overall data confidence 42%

References — Tano — Italian short for Gaetano; Akan Tano river

Variations

GaetanoTannoTanoh

Nicknames

TanNino

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Tano…

Gaetano— the Italian name it shortens

Milo— a like warm -o name

Nino— a like Italian short name

Dario— a like bright Italian pick

Explore names like Tano

By themeitalian warm akan layered

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Tano mean?

Tano is an Italian short form of Gaetano ('from Gaeta'); it is also the Akan name of the Tano, a sacred river of Ghana.

How do you pronounce Tano?

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

Is Tano a boy or girl name?

Tano is a boy's name.

How popular is Tano?

Tano is a very rare name in the U.S.