Vito

Vito is an Italian name that is derived from the Latin word "vita", meaning "life".¹ It is a modern form of the Latin name Vitus, meaning "life-giver," ² as in San Vito or Saint Vitus, the patron saint of dogs and a heroic figure in southern Italian folklore.³

There is also a Slavic name "Vitomir" that is shortened to "Vito", but has a different etymology.

The name "Vito" is sometimes confused with the German name "Wido," which is derived from Ancient Germanic.

People with this name include:

• San Vito dei Normanni, Saint Vito Protector of the Normans at sea, since medieval times
• Vito R. Bertoldo, American Medal of Honor recipient
• Vito Dimitrijević, a Yugoslavian former professional footballer
• Vito Dumas, Argentine sailor and travel-writer, who sailed solo around the world
• Vito Fossella, American politician from New York
• Vito Genovese, Italian-American mob boss
• Vito LoGrasso, American professional wrestler
• Vito Mannone, Italian footballer
• Vincent "Don Vito" Margera, actor and TV personality
• Vito Molinari (1929–2025), Italian stage and film director
• Vito Nikolić, Montenegrin poet
• Vito Positano, Italian diplomat
• Vito Postiglione, Italian auto racing driver
• Vito Rizzuto (1946–2013), Canadian mobster
• Vito Russo, American activist
• Vito Schlickmann (1928-2023), Brazilian Roman Catholic prelate
• Vito Scotti (1918-1996), American director
• Vito Thomaselli, former professional wrestler and podcast personality
• Victor Vito (rugby player), New Zealand rugby union and rugby sevens player
• Vitellia gens, ancient Roman family

• Vito Corleone, titular character of the novel The Godfather
• Vito Spatafore, The Sopranos character
• Vito Scaletta, the protagonist of the game Mafia II and one of the main characters of Mafia III