Fido is a unisex name of Latin origin, stereotypically used as a name for dogs. Derived from the Latin fīdus meaning "faithful," the name directly reflects the loyal nature attributed to canines. Although often thought to come directly from Latin fīdō ("to trust, rely on"), it entered English via Spanish or Italian forms. The use of Fido as a dog's name is ancient. A 1760 newspaper reference exists for "a small white Greyhound with a Collar, answers to the Name of Fido." This early attestation highlights the name's long-standing association with canine fidelity. The name gained further popularity in the 19th and early 20th centuries as a generic term for a pet dog, akin to Rover in English-speaking cultures. Related is the Spanish diminutive Fe, which shares the root meaning of faith or faithfulness.