UK boy's name
Santo
A masculine name of Italian origin meaning "saint" or "holy".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Santo is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Santo popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2014 to 2021. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Santo. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Santo ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 3 boys were registered as Santo.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Santo as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4789
2021
Births in 2021
3
Latest year
Peak year
2014
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Santo mean?
The name Santo originates from the Spanish and Italian languages, deriving from the Latin word "sanctus," meaning "holy" or "sacred." It has been a widely used name across various regions influenced by these Romance languages, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula and Italy.
The earliest recorded use of Santo as a given name can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when it was commonly bestowed upon individuals with strong religious devotion or those associated with the Catholic Church. It often carried connotations of piety, virtue, and spiritual purity.
Throughout history, Santo has been borne by several notable figures. One of the most prominent was Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo (1538-1606), a Spanish-born Catholic saint who served as the Archbishop of Lima, Peru, during the Spanish colonial era. He is renowned for his efforts in evangelizing and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples.
Another notable figure was Santo Domingo de la Calzada (1019-1109), a Spanish priest and architect credited with the construction of the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. His name is closely associated with this significant religious and cultural landmark.
In the realm of literature, Santo Braschi (1753-1839) was an Italian poet and librettist known for his works in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He gained recognition for his contributions to Italian opera during the Romantic era.
The name Santo also appears in religious texts and historical records. For instance, Santo Domingo de Guzmán (1170-1221), the founder of the Dominican Order, is mentioned extensively in Catholic hagiographies and chronicles of the 13th century.
Additionally, Santo Pignone (1532-1601), an Italian Catholic priest and reformer, played a significant role in the Counter-Reformation movement and is celebrated for his writings on spiritual renewal and devotion.
While these are just a few examples, the name Santo has been carried by individuals across various fields, including religion, literature, and history, reflecting its enduring connection to spirituality and reverence.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Santo over time
The chart below shows babies named Santo registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2014 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Santo, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Santo by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Santo was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4789 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4632 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Santo
- Samuel 108,505
- Sebastian 33,008
- Sam 20,889
- Stanley 16,354
- Sonny 15,028
- Sean 15,006
- Scott 12,587
- Seth 9,841
- Syed 9,050
- Stephen 8,884
- Spencer 8,333
- Steven 6,970
FAQ
Santo: questions and answers
How popular is the name Santo in the UK right now?
In 2021, Santo was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Santo most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 3 babies registered as Santo in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Santo?
A masculine name of Italian origin meaning "saint" or "holy".
How many people are called Santo in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Santo across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.