'antonio' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'Antonius', which is of uncertain (likely Etruscan) origin and whose original meaning is unknown.

'antonio' changed from the Latin family name 'Antonius' into the medieval Romance forms and eventually became the modern personal name 'Antonio' in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.

Initially it was a Roman family (gens) name 'Antonius'; over time it evolved into a widely used male given name 'Antonio' in several European languages.