Gano

The name Gano is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Cana, which means "son of Cana." Cana itself is derived from the Old Irish word 'cana,' meaning "wolf cub" or "fair-skinned one." The Mac Cana clan was historically prominent in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, where they were a powerful family in the medieval period. Over time, as Irish names were anglicized, Mac Cana evolved into various forms, including McCann, Canny, and Gano.

The Gano spelling is less common than McCann and Canny, suggesting a more specific regional or familial anglicization. It has been carried by Irish emigrants to other parts of the world, particularly the United States, where it continues to be used as both a surname and occasionally as a given name, though its use as a first name is quite rare.