SASSO

Sasso is an Italian term that literally means stone or rock. In addition to its ordinary meaning, it is used as a toponym—the name of places—and as a surname. When used as a place name, it often signals rocky terrain, quarries, or a stone outcrop at the site.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from the Latin saxum, via the Italian sasso. In Italian toponymy, Sasso appears both as a standalone name and as a component in longer place names. The element is common across the country, reflecting the landscape or a notable stone feature in the locality.

Geography and toponymy: There are multiple places in Italy that carry the name Sasso or include it in compound names. A well-known example is Sasso Marconi, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna. Beyond this, numerous towns, villages, and frazioni use Sasso as part of their name, illustrating the widespread association with stone or rocky terrain.

Surname: Sasso is also a surname of Italian origin. It is typically toponymic, deriving from a place name or a feature associated with stone. The name is found among Italian communities and has spread to other countries through migration and diaspora.

Notable usage: In modern contexts, Sasso appears in geography, genealogy, and cultural references as a marker of place and family heritage. It is also used descriptively in architecture, art, and literature to evoke stone or rugged landscapes.

See also: Sax, Sasso (surname), Italian toponymy.