Latinized form of WIDO. This was the name of two 11th-century saints. Other notable bearers include 11th-century music theorist Guido d'Arezzo, 13th-century poet Guido Cavalcanti, and 17th-century painter Guido Reni.
Originally a short form of names beginning with the Germanicelementwitu "wood" or wit "wide". From early times this name has been confused with the Latin name Vitus.