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

). The given name has been in use in

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

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, cardinal (from 1517 until his death) and the Master of the Order of Preachers 1508 to 151 ...

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 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 his feast day i ...

(1480–1547) who was canonized in 1671. Other variants of the name exist in other Romance languages, the French form of the name is ''Gaëtan, 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 ''Gaetano''

Clergy and religious figures

Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III ( la, Nicolaus III; c. 1225 – 22 August 1280), born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 25 November 1277 to his death on 22 August 1280. He was a Roman nobleman who ...

(Giovanni Gaetano Orsini), Pope from 1277–1280 *

(Tomasso de Vio Cardinal Cajetan), (1469 – 1534), Italian philosopher, theologian, cardinal, and the Master of the Order of Preachers *

(Saint Cajetan, 1480–1547), Catholic saint *

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, the son of Alessandro Pellegrino and Maria ...

(1806–1864), Italian ecclesiastical, Cardinal and diplomat of the Catholic Church * Gaetano Pace Forno (1809–1874), Maltese bishop of the Roman Catholic Church * Gaetano Bisleti (1856–1937), Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church * Gaetano Catanoso (1879–1963), Italian parish priest * Gaetano Cicognani (1881–1962), Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church *

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 the ...

(1914–2003), archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church

Scholars and academics

Gaetano da Thiene (philosopher) Gaetano da Thiene (1387–1465) was an Italian Renaissance philosopher and physician who was born and lived in Padua.s.v. 'Gaetano da Thiene' in Biography A student of Paul of Venice, Gaetano, like his teacher, held an Averroist interpretation ...

(1387–1465) * Gaetano Filangieri (1753–1788), Italian jurist and philosopher *

Gaetano Sanseverino Gaetano Sanseverino (7 August 1811 – 16 November 1865) was an Italian philosopher and theologian. He made a comparative study including the scholastics, particularly Thomas Aquinas, and of the connection between their doctrine and that ...

(1811–1865), Italian philosopher and theologian *

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 Arturo Crocco Gaetano Arturo Crocco (26 October 1877 – 19 January 1968) was an Italian scientist and aeronautics pioneer, the founder of the Italian Rocket Society, and went on to become Italy's leading space scientist. He was born in Naples. In 1927, Croc ...

(1877-1968), space scientist * Gaetano Kanizsa (1913–1993), Italian psychologist and perception scientist * Gaetano Cozzi (1922–2001), Italian historian *

Gaetano Borriello Gaetano Borriello (1958–2015) was an American computer scientist and researcher in ubiquitous computing. He is known for starting the Open Data Kit project and as the founding director of Intel Research Seattle. ThPlace Labproject he led at Inte ...

(1958–2015), Italian-American computer scientist

The arts

Gaetano Berenstadt Gaetano Berenstadt (7 June 1687 – buried 9 December 1734) was an Italian alto castrato who is best remembered for his association with the composer George Frideric Handel. Berenstadt created roles in three of Handel's operas. 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 f ...

(1829–1907), Italian composer and cellist *

Gaetano Brunetti Gaetano Brunetti or Cayetano Brunetti (1744 in Fano – 16 December 1798 near Madrid) was a prolific Italian born composer active in Spain under kings Charles III and IV. Though he was musically influential at court and, to a lesser extent, ...

(1744–1798), prolific Italian composer *

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 and Li ...

(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 Cast ...

(c. 1689–1770), Italian architect *

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

(1797–1848), Italian opera composer *

Gaetano Gandolfi Gaetano Gandolfi (31 August 1734 – 20 June 1802) was an Italian painter of the late Baroque and early Neoclassic period, active in Bologna. Career Gaetano was born in San Matteo della Decima, near Bologna, to a family of artists. Ubaldo ...

(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's ...

(circa 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 (1704–1776), Italian painter * Gaetano "Guy" Lombardo (1902–1977), Canadian bandleader * Gaetano Martoriello (circa 1680–1733), Italian painter *

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 conductor at the ...

(1881–1953), Italian conductor *

Gaetano Pesce Gaetano Pesce (born 8 November 1939) is 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 has worked as an architect ...

(born 1939), Italian architect and designer * 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 Giova ...

(1731–1798), Italian violinist * Gaetano Sabatini (1703–1734), Italian draftsman and painter * Gaetano Sgarabotto (1878–1959), Italian violinmaker * Gaetano Trentanove (1858–1937), Italian-American sculptor *

Gaetano Zompini Gaetano Zompini (25 September 1700 – 20 May 1778) was an Italian printmaker and engraver, known for his prints depicting workers from the lower classes in Venice. Born in Nervesa della Battaglia, he apprenticed with Niccolò Bambini. He also ...

(1700–1778), Italian printmaker and engraver * Gaetano John "Gaten" Matarazzo (born 2002), American actor of Italian descent

Writers and journalists

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 the '' Avanti!'', the official newspaper of the Italian Socialist Party, whom he represe ...

(1925–2007), Italian politician, historian, and journalist * Gaetano Milanesi (1813–1895), Italian scholar and writer *

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 writer *

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 Polidori (1764–1853), Italian writer and scholar *

Gaetano Salvemini Gaetano Salvemini (; 8 September 1873 – 6 September 1957) was an Italian Socialist and antifascist politician, historian and writer. Born in a family of modest means, he became an acclaimed historian both in Italy and abroad, particularly in ...

(1873–1957), Italian anti-fascist politician, historian and writer

Crime figures

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 Gianolla Gaetano Gianola was an Italian-American mobster and former consigliere of the Detroit Partnership criminal organization. During the early years of the Partnership, it was controlled by Gianola's brother, Anthony "Tony" Gianola with Gianola serving ...

(20th century), Italian-American mobster * Gaetano Lococo (20th century), Italian-American mobster * Gaetano Reina (1889–1930), Sicilian-American mobster

Sports

* Gaetano Berardi (born 1988), Swiss football player * Gaetano Belloni (1892–1980), Italian road racing cyclist *

Gaétan Boucher Gaétan T. Boucher, (born May 10, 1958), is a Canadian former 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. ...

(born 1958), Canadian speed skater *

Gaetano Caridi Gaetano Caridi (born 22 July 1980) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Career Caridi was born in Reggio Calabria. He began his career playing for minor Tuscan club Pontedera. He made his debut with the th ...

(born 1980), Italian football player *

Gaetano D'Agostino Gaetano D'Agostino (; born 3 June 1982) is an Italian former professional football midfielder and current coach. Usually a playmaker, D'Agostino is best known for his incisive passing. Club career Early career D'Agostino was brought up in the P ...

(born 1982), Italian football player * Gaetano De Rosa (born 1973), Italian football player *

Gaetano Fontana Gaetano Fontana (born 21 February 1970) is an Italian football manager and former midfielder. He is currently in charge as head coach of club Turris. Coaching career On 18 June 2018 he was unveiled as new head coach of Casertana. On 22 July 201 ...

(born 1970), Italian football player * Gaetano Giallanza (born 1974), Swiss football player * Gaetano Orlando (born 1962), Italian-Canadian ice hockey player * Gaetano Scirea (1953–1989), Italian football player * Gaetano Starrabba (born 1932), Italian racing driver *

Gaetano Vasari Gaetano "Tanino" Vasari (born 9 January 1970 in Palermo) is an Italian former football midfielder. Career Vasari, a native of the Palermo neighbourhood of ''Borgo Vecchio'', started his playing career with Partinicaudace, a team from Partinico ...

(born 1970), Italian football player * Gaetano Vastola (born 1978), Italian football player

Other

(1877–1968), founder of the Italian Rocket Society *

Gaetano Bresci Gaetano Bresci (; November 10, 1869May 22, 1901) was an Italian-American anarchist who assassinated King Umberto I of Italy on July 29, 1900. Bresci was the first European regicide not to be executed, as capital punishment in Italy had been ab ...

(1869–1901), Italian-American anarchist *

Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone (; born 1943) is an Italian businessman. He controls the holding company Caltagirone S.p.A. with interests in cement manufacturing, real estate, construction and publishing (with Caltagirone Editore). As of 2015, C ...

(born 1943), Italian businessman * Gaetano Casati (1838–1902), Italian explorer of Africa *

Gaetano Gagliano Gaetano Gagliano (; August 24, 1917 – April 14, 2016) was an Italian-born Canadian entrepreneur who founded St. Joseph Communications and Salt + Light Television. Career and family Gagliano was born in Cattolica Eraclea, Sicily, on August ...

(1917–2016), Canadian businessman *

Gaetano Manfredi Gaetano Manfredi ( Ottaviano, 4 January 1964) is an Italian university professor and politician A politician is a person active in party politics, or a person holding or seeking an elected office in government. Politicians propose, support ...

(born 1964), Italian politician * Gaetano Martino (1900–1967), Italian politician * Gaetano Polverelli (1886–1960), Italian journalist and politician *

Gaetano Saya Gaetano Saya (born 24 April 1956) is a former Italian politician and military leader. Saya was captured by the military police on his return from a mission in Iraqi Kurdistan, on 13 February 2017 and released on 4 May 2017. He is now the lead ...

(born 1956), far right Italian politician * Gaetano Tanti (20th century), Maltese trade unionist * Gaetano John "Gaten" Matarazzo (born 2002), American actor

People with the given name ''Gaetana''

Maria Gaetana Agnesi Maria Gaetana Agnesi ( , , ; 16 May 1718 – 9 January 1799) was an Italian mathematician, philosopher, theologian, and humanitarian. She was the first woman to write a mathematics handbook and the first woman appointed as a mathematics prof ...

, mathematician * Giuseppa Gaetana Ferreri, singer

People with the surname ''Gaetano''

* Gianluca Gaetano (born 2000), Italian professional footballer * Giuseppe de Gaetano (born 1966), Italian race walker * Juan Gaetano (16th century), Spanish sailor * Nick Gaetano (21st century), prolific illustrator * Paul DiGaetano (born 1953), American politician * Rino Gaetano (1950–1981), Italian singer-songwriter