Lino

Lino is a name and term with several distinct uses. In Italian, lino means linen or flax, a connection that appears in various languages and historical contexts. As a given name, Lino is common in Italian-speaking communities and is used independently rather than exclusively as a nickname.

Notable people with the given name include Italian actor Lino Banfi, known for his prolific work in Italian cinema; Lino Ventura, a French actor of Italian origin who had a prominent career in European film; Italian glass artist Lino Tagliapietra, one of the leading masters of Murano glass; and Filipino film director Lino Brocka, a key figure in Philippine cinema and an advocate for social issues. Beyond these, Lino appears as a surname in some families and in various cultural contexts.

In other uses, lino is a shorthand term for linoleum, a durable flooring material introduced in the 19th century and widely used in homes and public spaces. In several Romance languages, words related to linen, flax, or flax-based fabrics appear under lino, reflecting the material’s long-standing economic importance.

Overall, Lino functions as a personal name with cultural resonance in Italian-speaking communities and as a practical term in flooring, while also appearing as a surname or cultural reference in broader contexts.