Rizzo
Primarily a boy's name of Italian origin with 50 recorded births. Also given to 5 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from Italian.
Rizzo is a boy's and girl's baby name of Italian origin, a southern Italian surname meaning 'curly-haired' — from the Italian rizzo or riccio ('curly'). As a first name, it is almost entirely associated with pop culture: Betty Rizzo, the sharp-tongued leader of the Pink Ladies in Grease, gave this name an iconic, rebellious edge.
With 50 recorded U.S. births as a given name, Rizzo is a quirky, bold choice that wears its Italian roots and cinematic pedigree with equal confidence.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Rizzo's final sounds are open, approachable — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Rizzo softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Rizzo's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Rizzo has 7+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2016.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 21 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 29 | — |
The Story of Rizzo
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2017, Rizzo is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Rizzo are most likely born between 2016 and 2024.
How rare is Rizzo?
Only about 1 in every 450,000 babies born in 2024 was named Rizzo — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2016, peaked in the 2010s with 29 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Rizzo by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(7 years, 2016–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | #9660 |
| 2023 | 7 | #10571 |
| 2022 | 6 | #12020 |
| 2019 | 5 | #13718 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10512 |
| 2017 | 10 | #8010 |
| 2016 | 7 | #10507 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Rizzo as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Rizzo has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rizzo a boy's or girl's name?
When was Rizzo most popular?
How popular is the name Rizzo?
Can Rizzo be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2016–2024