romano

Romano is an Italian surname and given name. It derives from the Latin Romanus, meaning “Roman” or “from Rome,” and is used to denote origin or association with Rome. As a given name, Romano is common in Italy and among Italian communities abroad, and it appears in other cultures that borrow Latin naming traditions.

As a surname, Romano follows typical Italian patterns of ethnonymic or toponymic origin, often indicating ancestry linked to Rome or Roman roots. It is found in Italy and in communities formed by Italian diaspora around the world. The name is used across genders in various contexts, though it is predominantly male for given-name usage in Italian-speaking regions.

Pecorino Romano is one of the best-known cheeses associated with the term Romano. This hard, salty cheese is made from sheep’s milk and is traditionally produced in Lazio and Sardinia, with protected designation of origin status under the European Union. It is aged for several months and is frequently grated over pasta, soups, and vegetables.

Notable people with the given name Romano include Romano Prodi (born 1939), an Italian economist and politician who served as prime minister and later as president of the European Commission, and Romano Fenoglio (1922–1995), an Italian writer known for works addressing social and political themes.

See also: Romano (disambiguation).