Cupertino, city, Santa Clara County, western California, near San Jose; settled 1850s; incorporated 1955. Manufactures include computers, electronic components, and software. Two community colleges and a planetarium are here. The city is named for San Giuseppe de Cupertino, patron saint of students and flight. Population 25,770 (1980); 40,263 (1990); 50,546 (2000).