Antonio

Antonio is the decidedly more-exotic sounding form of a name that's been in the top 100 names nearly every year since the 1880s: Anthony! Antonio is the Spanish and Italian form of the name, and gives a suave and sophisticated vibe that the classic Anthony, no matter how charming it is, lacks. In the year 2000, Antonio stood at #82 on the U.S. Social Security baby name popularity charts. It has fallen since then, but not in a major way — it's still well within the top 200.

In terms of its roots, Antonio stems from the Roman family name Antonius, which is said to be of Etruscan origin, its meaning unknown. Some sources say that Antonio comes from the Greek word "anthos," meaning flower, though this is likely incorrect.

Since Antonio is such a classic name with a rich history, there are plenty of famous bearers. If you're into music, look no further than composers Antonio Vivaldi and Antonio Salieri; if you're into sports, there are football players Antonio Brown and Antonio Gates; and of course we can't forget actors Antonio Banderas and Antonio Sabato Jr. It is also a highly-favored name with a certain famed playwright, William Shakespeare, who used it for characters in no fewer than five of his plays.

Antonio in quotes:

"I have not known a man of such constancy. Antonio is all truth, all honour." — Salarino, about Antonio in Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice'

"Antonio is a complex man, and there is no easy way to define him. But one thing is for sure: he is a man who is not afraid to live his life to the fullest, even if it means taking risks." - Nerissa, about Antonio in Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice'