Amato is a family name of Italian origin, meaning "beloved" or "dear one". Notable people with the surname include:
Angelo Amato (born 1938), Roman Catholic titular archbishop
Bert Amato (21st century), American inventor
Chuck Amato (born 1946), American football coach
Dave Amato (born 1953), American guitarist
Donna Amato (living), American pianist
Erika Amato (born 1969), American singer and actress
Frank Amato (disappeared 1980, pronounced legally dead 1985), Sicilian-American mafioso
Gabriel Amato (born 1970), former Argentine footballer
Gerardo Amato (born 1952), Italian actor
Giovanni Antonio Amato (1475-1555), Italian painter
Giuliano Amato (born 1938), Italian politician
Joe Amato (dragster driver) (born 1944), American dragster driver
Joe Amato (poet) (born 1955) American writer and poet
Joseph Amato (mobster) (died 1927), Italian-American mobster
Ken Amato (born 1977), Puerto Rican American football player
Kimberly Amato (born 1976), American actress
Len Amato (21st century), American racecar driver
Lou Amato (born 1963), Australian politician
Mario Amato (1938-1980), Italian magistrate
Michelle Amato (21st century), American vocalist
Nancy M. Amato, American computer scientist
Pasquale Amato (1878-1942), Italian operatic baritone singer
Phil Amato (living), American television journalist
Pietro Amato (21st century), Canadian jazz horn player
Raffaele Amato (1965), Italian Camorra boss
Rick Amato (21st century), American columnist
Sara Amato (born 1980), American professional wrestler better known as Sara Del Rey
Serena Amato (born 1974), Argentine sailboat racer
Silvio Amato (born 1961), Italian composer of classical, contemporary and popular music
Stacey Pheffer Amato, American politician
Vincenzo Amato (disambiguation), multiple people