Alonzo is a name of Spanish origin, derived from the given name Alonso. The name Alonso itself is composed of two elements: "a" meaning "noble" and "lonso," which is believed to have been derived from the Germanic name Adalwulf. Thus, Alonzo means "noble wolf."
The name has a long history dating back to medieval Spain. It was first used by the Spanish branch of the House of Burgundy, who ruled in Castile and León during the 14th century. The most famous bearer of this name is Alonso Quixano, the protagonist of Miguel de Cervantes' renowned novel "Don Quixote," published in 1605.
Alonzo has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages but was more popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it is still occasionally used, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries and among families of Hispanic origin in other parts of the world.
In terms of popularity, Alonzo reached its peak in the United States around the 1890s but has since declined in usage. According to data from the Social Security Administration, there were only five boys named Alonzo born in the U.S. in 2020, indicating that it is now quite rare.
Despite its rarity today, Alonzo remains a name with a rich history and a meaningful signification, making it an interesting choice for parents looking for unique and significant names for their children.
"The name Alonzo saw peaks in popularity during the late 1950s to early 1960s with notable years being 1955 (8 births), 1961 (8 births), and 1965 (7 births). It maintained a consistent level of usage throughout most decades, though it declined slightly in recent years."