Last Name Giordano

The surname Giordano is of Italian origin. It derives from the given name "Giorgio," which translates to George in English, a common name in Western Christianity stemming from the Greek "Georgios." The surname Giordano is an adaptation of the given name and is particularly prevalent in Southern Italy. It became a hereditary surname during the Middle Ages as part of a system for identifying individuals within communities, and it has since been passed down through generations among Italian families.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Giordano

The meaning and origin of the last name Giordano

The surname Giordano is of Italian origin, derived from the given name Giorgio, which means "farmer" or "geographer" in Greek. The name became popular in Italy during the Middle Ages due to the influence of St. George, a highly revered saint in Christian folklore. Over time, as a tradition in many cultures, the name was passed down through generations and transformed into a surname. Today, Giordano is a common Italian surname found across the globe, particularly among Italian diaspora communities. Notable individuals with the surname include artists Luigi Giordano and Luciano Giordano, as well as actor Tony Danza, who traces his roots to the Abruzzo region of Italy.

Geographical distribution of the last name Giordano

The surname Giordano is predominantly Italian, originating from the Latin "Georgius," which means farmer or worker of the earth. Historically, it was most prevalent in southern Italy, particularly in regions such as Apulia, Campania, and Calabria. Over time, a significant number of people with the surname Giordano emigrated, primarily to America, Australia, and South America. In the United States, the distribution is heavily concentrated on the East Coast, with high concentrations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Additionally, there are sizable populations of people with the surname Giordano in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, due to Italian immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, Giordano can be found worldwide, reflecting the global dispersal of people from Italy over the past two centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Giordano

The surname Giordano has several variations and spellings, mostly due to transliteration and regional dialects. Here are some of the most common versions:

1. Giordano - This is the standard Italian spelling. It is derived from the personal name George (Giorgio in Italian), which means farmer or earthworker in Greek.

2. Jordano - This is a less common variation, often found in Latin America and among descendants of Italian immigrants. It is phonetically similar to Giordano but with a slightly different emphasis on the 'o'.

3. Jorjani - A variant of Giordano that can be found among some immigrant families from Albania, as they adapted their names to conform with local customs.

4. Jurdan - This is another less common variation, which may stem from a misspelling or mispronunciation of the original name.

5. Jordaño - In Spanish-speaking communities, the surname Giordano can be pronounced and spelled as Jordaño due to the influence of local languages.

6. Jórján - This is the Hungarian equivalent of Giordano, with a slightly different phonetic structure due to the language's unique alphabet and pronunciation rules.

Famous people with the last name Giordano

Notable individuals with the surname Giordano include Umberto Giordano (1867-1948), an Italian composer and conductor, best known for his operas "Andrea Chénier" and "Fedora." In the field of mathematics, there is Graeme L. Giudice Giordano (born 1957), an Australian particle physicist who has made significant contributions to neutrino astrophysics and cosmology. Furthermore, in the visual arts, Vincent F. X. Giordano (1922-2009) was a renowned American animator and illustrator, particularly known for his work on the television series "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!" Another significant figure is Domenico Giordano (born 1968), an Italian professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper during the 1980s and 1990s. He represented the Italian national team at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Genealogical research on the last name Giordano

The surname Giordano is of Italian origin, derived from the medieval given name "Giorgio," meaning George. Its first recorded usage can be traced back to Medieval Italy during the Late Middle Ages. Originally a byname for someone who resembled St. George or was born on his feast day (April 23), Giordano is one of the most common Italian surnames worldwide. It has spread globally through migration, particularly from southern Italy to America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some notable bearers of the name include Giuseppe Verdi, an influential composer; Gaetano Giordano, a Neapolitan opera composer; and Vincenzo Giordano, an Italian actor. The name remains popular in Italy and among Italians living abroad, with varying spellings such as Jordano, Jorndan, or Georgiano.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Giordano"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 14 June 2025

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