COL 49

[Joseph Tracy]

Gennaro is pronounced as JHehNNAA-Row †. Gennaro has its origins in the Latin language and it is used largely in Italian. It is derived from the element ianua which is of the meaning 'door, entrance'. The first name originated from the Roman nickname Januarius (Latin) meaning 'January'. The name of the month is from Janus <https://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Janus>, the two-faced god of doors, beginnings, and endings in Roman mythology. The name was also borne by Saint Januarius, the bishop of Benevento who was martyred under Diocletian in 305; he was famous for the reputed miracle of the annual liquefaction of his blood which has been preserved in capsules at Naples and Pozzuoli.