Delfino is a masculine given name and surname of Italian and Spanish origin. It derives from the Latin Delphinus, from delphis ("dolphin"), an animal regarded in medieval times as a symbol of goodness and friendliness. The name ultimately traces to the Greek delphis (δελφίς), referring to the dolphin.
Etymology and Meaning
The name Delfino comes from the Latin personal name Delphinus, meaning "dolphin." In Italian, the word delfino also carries the secondary meaning of "dauphin" (the title of the heir to the French throne), from Old French dalphin, which itself derived from Latin delphinus. As a given name, Delfino evokes the image of the dolphin, a creature associated in classical antiquity with guidance, rescue, and friendliness toward humans.
Usage
Delfino is used both as a given name and as a surname, primarily in Italy, Spain, and their respective cultural spheres. In Italian, it is pronounced /delˈfiːno/ (del-FEE-no). The feminine form is Delfina. Related variants include Delfín (Spanish), Delfim (Portuguese), and Delphinus (Late Roman).
Notable People with the Surname Delfino
- Carlos Delfino (born 1982), Argentine professional basketball player
- Frank Delfino (1911–1997), American actor
- Giuseppe Delfino (1921–1999), Italian Olympic gold medalist fencer
- Majandra Delfino (born 1981), Venezuelan-born American actress and singer
- Jean-Paul Delfino (born 1964), French author
- Jessica Delfino (born 1976), American singer, songwriter, and comedian
- Mariano Delfino (born 1977), Argentine former professional tennis player
- Alejandro Delfino (born 1962), original name of Alex To, Hong Kong singer and actor
- Daniel Delfino (born 1970), Argentine former professional football player
Notable People with the Given Name Delfino
- Delfino Borroni (1898–2008), Italian supercentenarian
- Delfino Codazzi (1824–1873), Italian mathematician
Fictional Characters
- Mike Delfino, a character on the television series Desperate Housewives
- Frank Delfino, a character on the television series How to Get Away with Murder
- Terry Delfino, a character in the film Win Win
Geographic and Cultural References
The name is also associated with Delfino Plaza, a location in the video game Super Mario Sunshine, which has contributed to the name's recognition in popular culture.
