Germano

Germano is a masculine given name and a surname of Italian origin. It derives from the Latin name Germānus, an ethnonym referring to the Germani and, by extension, to someone connected with Germany. As a given name, Germano has been used in Italy since the Middle Ages and remains common in Italian-speaking communities. The feminine form Germana exists in Italian, and in some contexts the name appears in other Romance languages primarily as a surname.

In Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking regions, Germano is more often a surname, though it can also appear as a masculine given name influenced by Italian or Latin traditions. The name is found in areas with historical migration and cultural exchange among Romance-language speakers. Related forms include Germanus in Latin, Germain in French, and Germán in Spanish; corresponding feminine variants include Germana or Germane in some contexts.

Notable bearers of the name span various fields, including sports, religion, and the arts, reflecting its long-standing presence across Romance-language regions. As a surname, Germano has been carried by families in multiple countries, illustrating its spread beyond Italy.

Today, Germano is primarily encountered as a conventional male given name in Italy and as a surname in several Romance-language countries. In regions outside its traditional sphere, it is less common as a given name, often chosen for cultural or familial reasons rather than as a regular personal name.