Veto

♂ Boy

Pronounced VEE-toh /ˈviː.toʊ/Medium

Meaning: Veto is the Latin word veto, literally 'I forbid,' the formal power to block a decision. As a rare American given name it is best understood as an unusual word-name; in a few cases it may also have served as a short, Americanized form of a longer Italian name, but the transparent Latin word is its clearest source.Low

In 30 seconds: Veto is the Latin word for 'I forbid,' used rarely as a given name. It was always uncommon and appears mostly in the early twentieth century (said VEE-toh).

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Origin LowLatin, American

MeaningVeto is the Latin word veto, literally 'I forbid,' the formal power to block a decision. As a rare American given name it is best understood as an unusual word-name; in a few cases it may also have served as a short, Americanized form of a longer Italian name, but the transparent Latin word is its clearest source.

U.S. rank (1972)#5722 ↘ Falling

1972 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 205

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

Veto is unusual among personal names in being an ordinary Latin word, veto, 'I forbid,' familiar from government as the power to reject a measure. Used as a first name it is best treated honestly as a rare word-name, though for some families it may have doubled as a short spoken form of a longer Italian name. The record is thin, so the entry stays factual rather than inventing a heritage.

The name barely registers, given to only a handful of boys a year and clustered in the early twentieth century around 1918. A boy named Veto then would belong to a great-grandparent's generation.

Did you know? Veto is one of a small set of English word-names drawn from public life; the term comes straight from the Latin for 'I forbid,' the right a leader uses to block a law.

Overall data confidence 30%

References - Veto — Latin word veto, 'I forbid'; rare word-name, possibly short Italian form

Variations

VitoVetto

Nicknames

VeeVet

Famous Bearers

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Veto mean?

It is the Latin word veto, meaning 'I forbid,' used unusually as a given name.

How do you pronounce Veto?

It is said VEE-toh /ˈviː.toʊ/, two syllables stressed on the first.

Is Veto a boy or girl name?

Veto is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Veto?

It has always been very rare in the United States, appearing for only a handful of boys a year, mostly in the early twentieth century.