Dog name guide

Grillo

The meaning, background and naming story of Grillo.

Letters
6
Syllables
2Dictionary reading
Starts with
G

Meaning and background

The story behind Grillo

Grillo is an Italian surname whose ordinary-language root is the Italian word for a cricket. A surname reference describes it as a nickname once applied to a cheerful person, showing how an insect word could become a family name. Those two layers are related but not interchangeable: grillo literally names the insect, while the cheerful interpretation describes one nickname use. The spelling is also found in southern France.

Meaning
Italian grillo means “cricket” (the insect). Source
Origin
Italian surname from a nickname associated with a cheerful person and based on grillo “cricket”; also found in southern France. Source

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About Grillo

Recorded as a dog’s name

Grillo appears in 4 dog licence records in the 2022 New York City dataset.

How to read this count

These records cover New York City and may count the same dog in more than one licence period. They are not a national popularity ranking.

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Pronunciation and rhythm

/ɡɹɪloʊ/

US English sound sequence, converted from the CMU dictionary. Stress marks are shown separately.

Stress on the first syllable in the recorded US readings.

View dictionary notation

/ɡɹɪloʊ/ · primary stress on syllable 1
G R IH1 L OW0

These are US dictionary readings. Personal, regional and other language pronunciations may differ.

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Sources and research notes (2)
  • New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene NYC Dog Licensing Dataset — all seven available extract years, retrieved 24 October 2026 — Recorded name spellings in NYC licence-period rows, extract years 2016–2018, 2022–2024 and 2026. Evidence selects one stated year per name. Annual snapshots overlap; never sum them as unique dogs. No national popularity, etymology or owner naming-intent claim.
  • Carnegie Mellon University / CMU Sphinx maintainers CMU US English Pronouncing Dictionary — US English dictionary readings; not owner-specific or exhaustive multilingual pronunciation

References support the individual facts shown. A source link does not mean the entire profile has been verified.

More names to consider

Suggestions by sound, written form or existing editorial selections. Similarity does not imply a shared origin.

Pillow

Same final dictionary sounds

Willow

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Lillo

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Morillo

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Kilo

Same final dictionary sounds

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