Zito
An Italian surname most often linked to a word meaning a young man or unmarried man.
The #6,461 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 58,730 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Zito is an Italian surname, especially associated with southern Italy, and is commonly explained from a regional word meaning a young man, bachelor, or unmarried male. In some dialects it can also carry the sense of “boy” or “lad.” The surname would originally have been a nickname or descriptive byname, later inherited by descendants.
History
The name is well known in Italian-American communities, reflecting migration from Italy to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is especially common in areas with strong Italian diaspora populations. Because it is short and dialect-based, the exact local nuance may vary from one region of Italy to another.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In some Italian dialect contexts, a related word can mean “silent” or “quiet,” but the surname Zito is usually explained differently, as a nickname for a young man or bachelor.