Dino

Dino developed as a familiar form of longer names ending in -dino or -tino, particularly in Italian naming. It can therefore have more than one underlying meaning, depending on the full name from which a family takes it. Its history is therefore that of a familiar form becoming independent, rather than one name with a single fixed translation.

Dino is also used independently, allowing a family to keep the affectionate form on formal documents. Its Italian pronunciation begins with a sound like dee, unlike the opening of the English word dinosaur. That difference is useful when introducing the name in English. The strongest story behind an individual Dino may be the longer family name it was chosen to remember.