US Popularity Rank: 6411

Origin: Portuguese

Meaning: Holy; Defender of men

Santo is a boy’s name and surname of Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese origin. Meaning “holy” in those languages, it ultimately derives from the Latin word sanctus, a fitting name for your little angel! The name may have originated as a nickname for someone pious, but is now a popular given name in its countries of origin, especially Italy. There, it’s sometimes shortened to Santino. In Cornwall, England, Santo is used as a diminutive of the Greek name Alexander, which means “defender of men.”