Gaetano (anglicized '' Cajetan'') is an Italian masculine given name. It is also used as a surname. It is derived from the Latin ''Caietanus'', meaning "from ''Caieta''" (the modern

Gaeta Gaeta (; ; Southern Latian dialect, Southern Laziale: ''Gaieta'') is a seaside resort in the province of Latina in Lazio, Italy. Set on a promontory stretching towards the Gulf of Gaeta, it is from Rome and from Naples. The city has played ...

). The given name has been in use in

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

since medieval period, although it also remained in use as a byname indicating people from Gaeta, as in

Thomas Cajetan Thomas Cajetan ( ; 20 February 14699 August 1534), also known as Gaetanus, commonly Tommaso de Vio or Thomas de Vio, was an Italian philosopher, theologian, the Master of the Order of Preachers 1508 to 1518, and cardinal from 1517 until his de ...

or ''Gaetanus'' (1469–1534). The modern given name can be traced to Saint

Gaetano dei Conti di Tiene Gaetano dei Conti di Thiene (6 October 1480 – 7 August 1547), known in English as Saint Cajetan ( ), was an Italian Catholic priest and religious reformer, co-founder of the Theatines. He is recognised as a saint in the Catholic Church, and hi ...

(1480–1547) who was canonized in 1671. Other variants of the name exist in other Romance languages, the French form of the name is Gaétan'', Gaétan'', the Portuguese form is '' Caetano'', and the Spanish form is '' Cayetano''. The feminine form is ''Gaetana'' (also ''Caetana'' and ''Cayetana'').

People with the given name

Academics

* Gaetano Borriello (1958–2015), Italian-American computer scientist * Gaetano Cozzi (1922–2001), Italian historian * Gaetano Arturo Crocco (1877-1968), Italian space scientist, aeronautics pioneer and founder of the Italian Rocket Society *

Gaetano De Sanctis Gaetano De Sanctis (15 October 1870, Rome – 9 April 1957) was an Italian ancient historian, classicist and lifetime senator (1950-1957). As the collection of his 'scritti minori' illustrates, his scope of scholarship ranged from Homer down to ...

(1870–1957), historian and senator *

Gaetano Filangieri Gaetano Filangieri (22 August 1753 – 21 July 1788) was an Italian jurist and philosopher. Filangieri was born in San Sebastiano al Vesuvio, in the Kingdom of Naples. He was born the third son of a sibship of the noble family of Filangieri, wh ...

(1753–1788), Italian jurist and philosopher * Gaetano Kanizsa (1913–1993), Italian psychologist and perception scientist * Gaetano Milanesi (1813–1895), Italian scholar and writer * Gaetano Sanseverino (1811–1865), Italian philosopher and theologian * Gaetano da Thiene (philosopher) (1387–1465)

Arts and entertainment

Gaetano Aronica Gaetano Aronica (born 30 September 1963) is an Italian actor known for playing the Roman general Varus in the 2020 Netflix television series ''Barbarians''. He also starred in '' Malèna'' (2000), '' Il Capo dei Capi'' (2007) and '' Baarìa'' ...

(born 1963), Italian actor * Gaetano Berenstadt (1687–1734), Italian alto castrato *

Gaetano Braga Gaetano Braga (June 9, 1829 – November 21, 1907) was an Italian composer and cellist. He was born in Giulianova in Abruzzi and died in Milan. Braga's works include compositions for the cello (two concertos, a quintet, a quartet, works for ...

(1829–1907), Italian composer and cellist *

Gaetano Brunetti Gaetano (or Cayetano) Brunetti (1744 in Fano, Italy – 16 December 1798, Colmenar de Oreja, Madrid, Spain) was an Italian-born composer who was active in Spain during the reigns of kings Charles III and Charles IV. As well as being musica ...

(1744–1798), prolific Italian composer *

Gaetano Bruno Gaetano Bruno (born 26 July 1973) is an Italian actor. Early life Bruno was born in Palermo Palermo ( ; ; , locally also or ) is a city in southern Italy, the capital (political), capital of both the autonomous area, autonomous region o ...

(born 1973), Italian actor *

Gaetano Castelli Gaetano Castelli (born 1938) is an Italian painter and set designer. External links Gaetano Castelli website * Gaetano Castelli: The Masquerade of Soulsexhibition at the Italian Cultural Institute, London London is the Capital city, ca ...

(born 1938), Italian painter and set designer *

Gaetano Chiaveri Gaetano Chiaveri ( in Rome – 5 March 1770) was an Italian architect and master builder, most notable for his work as part of the second phase of the Dresden Baroque. His works include the Cathedral in Dresden and a new wing of the Royal Castl ...

(c. 1689–1770), Italian architect *

Gaetano Donizetti Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti (29 November 1797 – 8 April 1848) was an Italian Romantic music, Romantic composer, best known for his almost 70 operas. Along with Gioachino Rossini and Vincenzo Bellini, he was a leading composer of the ''be ...

(1797–1848), Italian opera composer *

Gaetano Gandolfi Gaetano Gandolfi (31 August 1734 – 20 June 1802) was an Italian painter, draughtsman and sculptor of the late Baroque period, mainly active in and around Bologna. He is known for his biblical, mythological and allegorical subjects, as well as hi ...

(1734–1802), Bolognese painter *

Gaetano Greco Gaetano Greco (c. 1657c. 1728) was an Italian Baroque composer. He was the younger brother of Rocco Greco ( c.1650 - before 1718). Both brothers were trained at, and later taught at the Poveri di Gesu` Cristo conservatory in Naples. Gaetano Greco' ...

(c. 1657–1728), Italian Baroque composer *

Gaetano Guadagni Gaetano Guadagni (16 February 1728 – 11 November 1792) was an Italian mezzo-soprano castrato singer, most famous for singing the role of Orpheus at the premiere of Gluck's opera '' Orfeo ed Euridice'' in 1762. Career Born at Lodi, Guadagni ...

(1729–1792), Italian mezzo-soprano castrato singer *

Gaetano Lapis Gaetano Lapis (1706–1773) was an Italian painter of the late-Baroque period. Biography Lapis was born on 13 August 1706 in the central Italian city of Cagli, the son of Filippo Lapis, a wool merchant, and his wife Olimpia Orlandini of Cantian ...

(1704–1776), Italian painter *

Guy Lombardo Gaetano Alberto "Guy" Lombardo (June 19, 1902 – November 5, 1977) was a Canadian and American bandleader, violinist, and hydroplane racing, hydroplane racer whose unique "sweet jazz" style remained popular with audiences for nearly five decade ...

(1902–1977), Canadian bandleader *

Gaetano Martoriello Gaetano Martoriello (c. 1680–1733) was an Italian painter of the late-Baroque period, active in his natal city of Naples. He painted mainly marine vedute and landscapes. He initially trained under Giacomo del Po, but desiring to paint landscape ...

(circa 1680–1733), Italian painter *

Gaten Matarazzo Gaetano John "Gaten" Matarazzo III ( , ; born September 8, 2002) is an American actor. He began his career on the Broadway stage as Benjamin in '' Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'' (2011–12) and as Gavroche in ''Les Misérables'' (2014–15) ...

(born 2002), American actor *

Gaetano Merola Gaetano Merola (4 January 1881 – 30 August 1953) was an Italian conductor, pianist and founder of the San Francisco Opera. Biography Merola was born in Naples, the son of a Neapolitan court violinist and studied piano and conducting at t ...

(1881–1953), Italian conductor *

Gaetano Pesce Gaetano Pesce (8 November 1939 – 3 April 2024) was an Italian architect and a design pioneer of the 20th century. Pesce was born in La Spezia in 1939, and he grew up in Padua and Florence. During his 50-year career, Pesce worked as an ar ...

(born 1939), Italian architect and designer * Gaetano Polidori (1764–1853), Italian writer and scholar * Gaetano Pollastri (1886–1960), professional violinist * Gaetano Previati, artist *

Gaetano Pugnani Gaetano Pugnani (27 November 1731 – 15 July 1798, full name: Giulio Gaetano Gerolamo Pugnani) was an Italian composer and violinist. Biography Gaetano Pugnani was born in 1731 in Turin, the city where he spent most of his life, son of Giov ...

(1731–1798), Italian violinist * Gaetano Sabatini (1703–1734), Italian draftsman and painter * Gaetano Sgarabotto (1878–1959), Italian violinmaker *

Gaetano Trentanove Gaetano Trentanove (February 21, 1858 – March 13, 1937) was an Italian and American sculptor. Biography Trentanove was born in Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, a goldsmith's son. He studied at the Florentine Academy; he was later named hono ...

(1858–1937), Italian-American sculptor * Gaetano Zompini (1700–1778), Italian printmaker and engraver

Crime

Gaetano Badalamenti Gaetano Badalamenti (; 14 September 1923 – 29 April 2004) was a powerful member of the Sicilian Mafia. ''Don Tano'' Badalamenti was the capofamiglia of his hometown Cinisi, Sicily, and headed the Sicilian Mafia Commission in the 1970s. In 1 ...

(1923–2004), powerful member of the Sicilian Mafia * Gaetano Gianola, early 20th century Italian-American mobster * Gaetano Lococo (1895–1993), Italian-American mobster *

Gaetano Reina Gaetano Reina (; September 27, 1889 – February 26, 1930) was an Italian-American gangster. He was an early American Mafia boss who was the founder of what has for many years been called the Lucchese crime family in New York City. He led the fa ...

(1889–1930), Sicilian-American mobster

Politics and journalism

Gaetano Arfé Gaetano Arfé (12 November 1925, Somma Vesuviana – 13 September 2007) was an Italian politician, historian, and journalist. From 1966 to 1976 he published '' Avanti!'', the official newspaper of the Italian Socialist Party, which he represent ...

(1925–2007), Italian politician, historian and journalist *

Gaetano Bresci Gaetano Bresci (; 11 November 186922 May 1901) was an Italian anarchist who assassinated King Umberto I of Italy. As a young weaver, his experiences with exploitation in the workplace drew him to anarchism. Bresci emigrated to the United Sta ...

(1869–1901), Italian-American anarchist *

Gaetano Giuliano Gaetano Giuliano (23 July 1929 – 3 December 2023) was an Italian politician. In 1980 he served as ''Acting'' President of the Sicilian Region. Giuliano died on 3 December 2023, at the age of 94. References 1929 births 2023 deaths Peo ...

(1929–2023), Italian politician *

Gaetano Manfredi Gaetano Manfredi (born 4 January 1964) is an Italian university professor and politician A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians ...

(born 1964), Italian politician *

Gaetano Martino Gaetano Martino (25 November 1900 – 21 July 1967) was an Italian politician, physician, and university teacher. Early life and medicine Gaetano Martino was born in 1900 in Messina, Sicily, son of its Mayor Antonino Martino. He graduated in m ...

(1900–1967), Italian politician *

Gaetano Mosca Gaetano Mosca (; 1 April 1858 – 8 November 1941) was an Italian political scientist, journalist and public servant. He is credited with developing the elite theory and the doctrine of the political class and is one of the three members const ...

(1858–1941), Italian political scientist, journalist and public servant * Gaetano Polverelli (1886–1960), Italian journalist and politician *

Gaetano Salvemini Gaetano Salvemini (; 8 September 1873 – 6 September 1957) was an Italian socialist and anti-fascist politician, historian, and writer. Born into a family of modest means, he became a historian of note whose work drew attention in Italy and ab ...

(1873–1957), Italian anti-fascist politician, historian and writer * Gaetano Saya (born 1956), Italian politician * Gaetano Tanti (1956/1957–2023), Maltese trade unionist

Religion

(1480–1547), Catholic saint *

Gaetano Alibrandi Gaetano Alibrandi (14 January 1914 – 3 July 2003) of the Roman Catholic Church was a senior papal diplomat and former Personal Secretary to Giovanni Battista Cardinal Montini (later Pope Paul VI). Biography Born at Castiglione di Sicilia in t ...

(1914–2003), Catholic archbishop *

Gaetano Bedini Gaetano Bedini (15 May 1806 – 6 September 1864) was an Italian ecclesiastic, cardinal, and diplomat of the Catholic Church. Biography Bedini was born in Senigallia into the Bedini family of Ostra (AN), Ostra, the son of Alessandro Pellegrino ...

(1806–1864), Italian Catholic ecclesiastic, cardinal and diplomat * Gaetano Bisleti (1856–1937), Catholic cardinal * Gaetano Catanoso (1879–1963), Italian parish priest * Gaetano Cicognani (1881–1962), Italian Catholic prelate *

Gaetano Pace Forno Gaetano Pace Forno (5 June 1809 – 22 July 1874) was a Maltese Archbishop who became the Bishop of Malta after his predecessor Archbishop Publio Maria dei Conti Sant tendered his resignation. Biography Pace Forno was born in Victoria, Gozo on 5 ...

(1809–1874), Maltese Catholic bishop *

Gaetano Moroni Gaetano Moroni (17 October 1802, Rome – 3 November 1883, Rome) was an Italian writer on the history and contemporary structure of the Catholic Church and an official of the papal court in Rome. He was the author of the well-known ''Diziona ...

(1802–1883), Italian Catholic official and writer about the Catholic Church

Sports

* Gaetano Berardi (born 1988), Swiss footballer *

Gaetano Belloni Gaetano Belloni (26 August 1892 – 9 January 1980) was an Italian professional road racing cyclist. The highlights of his career were his overall win in the 1920 Giro d'Italia, the two victories in Milan–San Remo (1917 and 1920), and the three ...

(1892–1980), Italian road racing cyclist *

Gaétan Boucher Gaétan T. Boucher (born May 10, 1958) is a former Canadian speed skating Olympic champion. Biography Boucher first trained in ice hockey, the leading sport in Canada but then changed to speed skating after winning a national title in 1972. I ...

(born 1958), Canadian speed skater * Gaetano Caridi (born 1980), Italian footballer * Gaetano D'Agostino (born 1982), Italian footballer * Gaetano De Rosa (born 1973), Italian footballer * Gaetano Fontana (born 1970), Italian footballer * Gaetano Giallanza (born 1974), Swiss footballer * Gaetano Orlando (born 1962), Italian-Canadian ice hockey player *

Gaetano Scirea Gaetano Scirea (; 25 May 1953 – 3 September 1989) was an Italian professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest ever defenders. He spent most of his career with Juventus. Scirea is one of only six players in European football hi ...

(1953–1989), Italian footballer * Gaetano Starrabba (born 1932), Italian racing driver * Gaetano Vasari (born 1970), Italian footballer * Gaetano Vastola (born 1978), Italian footballer

Other fields

* Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone (born 1943), Italian businessman *

Gaetano Casati Gaetano Casati (4 September 1838 – 7 March 1902) was an Italian explorer of Africa, born in Lesmo (now in the Italian region Lombardy), at that time in the Austrian Empire. After studying at the Academy in Pavia he entered the Italian army i ...

(1838–1902), Italian explorer of Africa * Gaetano Gagliano (1917–2016), Canadian businessman

People with the surname

Gianluca Gaetano Gianluca Gaetano (; born 5 May 2000) is an Italian professional association football, footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a left winger for club Cagliari Calcio, Cagliari, on loan from SSC Napoli, Napoli. He is an academy graduat ...

(born 2000), Italian professional footballer * Giuseppe de Gaetano (born 1966), Italian race walker *

Juan Gaetano The Manila galleon (; ) refers to the Spanish trading ships that linked the Philippines in the Spanish East Indies to Mexico (New Spain), across the Pacific Ocean. The ships made one or two round-trip voyages per year between the ports of Man ...

, Spanish pilot who may have been, in 1555, one of the first Europeans to find Hawaii *

Nick Gaetano Nick Gaetano is an artist, known for creating the 25th Anniversary Edition cover art for works such as Ayn Rand: ''Atlas Shrugged'', ''The Fountainhead'', ''Anthem'', ''We the Living'', '' Philosophy: Who Needs It'', '' Capitalism: the Unknown I ...

, 21st century book illustrator * Paul DiGaetano (born 1953), American politician * Rino Gaetano (1950–1981), Italian singer-songwriter