Latin Names

Urban was not an uncommon name through the 1930s (rising as high as Number 435), having been attached to several saints and early popes, but it has completely disappeared from the landscape--both urban and rural. Yet in this era of word name appreciation and trend for 'an'-ending boys' names, we're thinking it might be ready for a return.
 In the New Testament, Urban is an active member of the Christian church in Rome.
 Urbano is the commonly heard Italian version, and the French Urbain was used by Henry James for an--yes--urbane character in The American.
 These days, the name is associated with musician Keith Urban.

Urban

Valerio

This golden Saint name was familiar in Spain during the first half of the 20th century, however, it fell out of favor in the 60s. Usually written as Áurea, the similar sounding Aurora is often preferred today.

Aurea

Crispin, which was introduced into the mainstream by actor Crispin Glover and which means "curly-haired" in Latin, has an image very much like its first syllable: crisp, autumnal, and colorful.
 St. Crispin, the patron saint of shoemakers, died in the third century and, as rousingly referenced by Shakespeare, Henry V fought a great battle on St. Crispin's Day. Crispin Glover was actually named for the Shakespearean speech.
 In the Harry Potter books, Crispin Cronk is an egyptophile wizard who kept several sphinxes in his backyard.
 Crispian is an interesting, rarely used variation, as is Crispus, associated with African-American hero Crispus Atticus, the first colonist to die for independence in the Boston Massacre.

Crispin

Lunaria is a magical, moon-related option that also doubles up as a floral name. It only entered the US stats in 2020 when it was chosen for six girls, while in a more recent year, that number had risen to 23. As such, Lunaria is a little used option that shares the sounds of popular choices like Luna and Aria.
 
Meaning "moon-like" in Latin, Lunaria is the name of a genus of flowering plants in the fern family, notable for their seed pods which resemble little silver moons. The term has occasionally been used in science fiction to refer to someone who inhabits the moon and to maritime navigators who use the moon to find their way. 
 
You could even see it as a smoosh name, if you wish, blending Luna and Aria, giving it the meanings "moon air", "moon song", or "moon lion".

Lunaria

Pryor is for those in search of an unusual occupational name...or in memory of comedian Richard. 

Pryor

A lacy, lucky name very popular in the Hispanic community a decade ago, less so now. 

Felicia

An elaborate and pretty alternative to Lucia, Lucy, and Cecilia, Lucilia is a variation of the Ancient Roman Lucilius, itself adapted from Lucius. As such, it has same glowing meaning of "light".
 
Familiar in Brazil and Portugal (where it can be spelled as Lucília), the name is also (perhaps less favorably?) associated with a genus of blow flies, more commonly known as green bottle flies. Make of that what you will.

Lucilia

A 3rd century saint's name sometimes used in Catholic communities, and in Western European countries like Portugal and Italy. 

Perpetua

Risa

Viva la baby with this life-affirming name, one of the appealing group of <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/607/girls-names-that-mean-life">girl names that mean life</a>. Other related life-giving names on the rise: cousins Vida and Vita, and Vivian, Aviva, and even Zoe.
 Viva (born Janet Susan) was one of Andy Warhol's single-named superstars.

Viva

Cooler than April, May, or June, but also a tad icy. December gets its name from the number ten as the old Roman calendar only had ten months, and as now, December was the last.


December

Dianne, one of the many offshoots and variations of the classic Diana, had its moment in the sun in the 1940s--it was a Top 100 name from 1943 to 1952. It now would make a very unlikely choice.
 This spelling is currently associated with California Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Dianne

Remus is one of the legendary twins who, with brother Romulus, founded Rome.  An unusual yet classic name for the extremely adventurous who can put aside the stereotyped image of Uncle Remus.  Though because of that "ream" first syllable, we prefer Romulus.

Remus

In Roman mythology, Iana was an epithet of Diana, goddess of the moon.
 
If pronunciation troubles worry you, use the Yana spelling instead.

Iana

Seneca's distinguished heritage as the name of the ancient Roman philosopher-playwright who tutored Nero, and of an Iroquois tribe makes this an interesting choice for either sex. 

Seneca

Garner is an unncommon word and surname with some prospect of garnering popularity, especially now that Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have given it to son Samuel as his middle name, and Jessica Alba and Cash Warren have used it as the middle name of second daughter Haven.  Garner is also Cash Warren's middle name.  Gardner or Gardener is another, similar though unrelated possibility.

Garner

An attractive and unusual name that may be a variation of Cleo, Clea was possibly invented by Lawrence Durrell for a character in his Alexandria Quartet.
 Actress Clea DuVall is one noted bearer of the name, another is Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward's youngest daughter, who was named Claire Olivia, but always called Clea.

Clea

Katherina

An Ancient Roman clan name, deriving from Latin vinum ("wine"), it was notably borne by Marcus Vinicius, a Roman consul, general, and friend of the emperor Augustus. More recently, it has been associated with footballer Vinícius Júnior and with mixed martial artist Vinícius Oliviera.
 
Pronounced as vih-NISS-ee-us in English and Latin, and as vee-NEE-syoos in Brazilian Portuguese, it is a familiar choice in Brazil, owing to the popularity of the poet and musician Vinícius de Moraes.

Vinicius

Latin names are plentiful throughout English-speaking countries, as Latin is one of the root languages for English. Latin names include many of the most popular baby names in the Western world, including Lucy and Oliver, Julia, and Miles.

Latin names in the US Top 100 for girls include Ava, Clara, Lillian, Olivia, and Stella. For boys, Latin names in the US Top 100 include Dominic, Lucas, Julian, Roman, and Sebastian. In Rome, popular names include Cecilia, Viola, Christian, and Santiago.

Of course, many unique baby names have Latin origins too, such as Sidra, Domino, and Vesper. Latin was the language of ancient Rome, another source for fashionable modern names, such as Augustus, Cassius, and Octavia.

Browse all of our Latin baby names here, ordered by popularity on Nameberry. 

Latin names of origin in the Latin language, the language and culture of ancient Rome, including Latin names for boys and Latin names for girls, with meanings and popularity. (Page 19)