Gladiator Baby Names
- Silvanus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"wood; forest"Description:
In Roman mythology, Silvanus was the god of the forests. He protected farmers and fields and was credited with developing a system for marking field boundaries.
- Nero
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"stern"Description:
The association with the infamous Nero, the fiddling Roman emperor, would be unavoidable. But there was also the detective Nero Wolfe, hero of many mystery stories.
- Thelonius
Origin:
Latinized form of German Tielo or TillMeaning:
"people"Description:
One of the coolest of names, thanks to legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Sphere Monk, who inherited it from his father. It has been used very sparingly since the 1960s--just a sprinkling of baby boys receive the name each year. Monk's middle name Sphere is pretty unique too--a cousin of Cosmos and Cosmo. Some other jazz names to consider: Bix, Ellington, Ella, Etta, Mingus, Dexter and Calloway. :
- Seneca
Origin:
Latin surname and Native AmericanMeaning:
"people of the standing rock"Description:
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.
- Vinicius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"wine / vine"Description:
An Ancient Roman clan name, deriving from Latin vinum ("wine"). Marcus Vinicius was a Roman consul, general, and friend of the emperor Augustus.
- Marcellus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"young warrior"Description:
This ancient Roman family name, first borne by the distinguished Marcus Claudius Marcellus and later by two popes, is a possibilty in the hot new category of names from antiquity.
- Junius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"born in June"Description:
Junius is one of those names that's growing on us, along with many of its Roman countrymen such as Julius and Atticus. We once thought it was a combination of the least attractive elements of Junior and Julius but now we think...well, we think it's okay. Not great, but okay.
- Decimus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"tenth"Description:
Decimus is one of the Roman numeral names used in large Victorian families--in this case for the tenth child. It is now seeing some new life thanks to the cutting-edge fashion for ancient Roman names.
- Silvius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"wood, forest"Description:
With the rise of ancient Roman names, the now-obscure Silvius may be rediscovered. Sleek and silvery, Silvius was the name of several legendary kings and an early saint. It survives in the contemporary world in its Spanish and Italian form Silvio, used for the character played by Steven Van Zandt on The Sopranos, while its traditional form appears in the Shakespeare play, As You Like It.
- Spartacus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"from the city of Sparta"Description:
Spartacus is the famous name of an ancient Roman slave -- and star of his own eponymous TV series! -- who led a slave revolt and became a renowned gladiator, only to die in the ring. Not considered baby-appropriate for centuries, Spartacus just might rise again along with the names of his fellow gladiators.
- Lucretius
Origin:
Latin clan nameMeaning:
"wealth"Description:
Lucretius is the name of the Roman philosopher who invented Epicureanism. But even in these days of old Roman name revival, Lucretius sounds a bit long-white-beardish, though it can be enlivened with the nickname Luc.
- Quintus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"fifth"Description:
A literary name figuring in the story of Ben Hur and the novels of Anthony Trollope that has the feel of Roman antiquity that is beginning to appeal to many parents. Quintus was one of only about twenty male first names in ancient Rome, and was often (though not exclusively) used for fifth sons.
- Claudius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"lame; enclosure"Description:
Claudius is one of the most user-friendly of the ancient Roman names – even though it's associated with the villainous character in Shakespeare's Hamlet. But as with feminine form Claudia, the "lame" meaning may stymie the rise of Claudius. Some etymologists theorize that the name may relate to the word for enclosure or clause, an alternate meaning that may appeal to a child with a form of this otherwise-appealing name.
- Ambrosius
Description:
Ambrosius is a masculine name of Greek and Latin origin, derived from the Greek word "ambrosios," meaning "immortal" or "divine." It is the original Latin form of the more common Ambrose. The name carries significant historical weight, having been borne by Saint Ambrosius of Milan, an important 4th-century theologian and one of the four original doctors of the Catholic Church. Throughout European history, the name appeared among clergy, nobility, and scholars, maintaining associations with learning and spiritual devotion. While Ambrosius has never been widely popular in modern English-speaking countries, it retains appeal for parents drawn to names with classical roots and substantial historical significance. The name projects dignity and intellectual seriousness, with potential nicknames including Ambrose, Brose, or even Sio.
- Pontius
Origin:
RomanMeaning:
"fifth"Description:
This Roman name is featured in the New Testament as that of the governor of Judea.
- Horatius
Description:
Horatius is a venerable masculine name with ancient Roman origins, the Latin form of the more familiar Horace. The name carries significant historical weight, being associated with several notable Romans including the poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus (known as Horace) and the legendary hero Horatius Cocles who defended Rome against Etruscan invaders. The name likely derives from the Latin word "hora" meaning "hour" or "time," or possibly from an Etruscan origin. Horatius exemplifies classical Roman naming traditions with its distinctive "-us" ending. While uncommon in modern usage, it appeals to parents drawn to names with historical depth and classical roots. The name projects strength, education, and cultural refinement. Though formal-sounding to modern ears, it offers the friendly nickname options of Horace or possibly Ace.
- Flavius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"yellow, blond"Description:
Flavius is an ancient Roman family name associated with a dynasty of emperors. It has an appealingly flavorful first syllable, and is the name of a stylist in the Hunger Games series.
- Viridius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"green"Description:
Viridius was a pagan god of ancient Roman Britain. An alternative spelling is Viridios.
- Primus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"first"Description:
The revival of long-dormant Roman names would put this back in the lexicon if it wasn't so connected to a telecommunications network.
- Manius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"born in the morning"Description:
Manius is one of the lesser-used Roman forenames, far less popular than Lucius, Marcus et al, both in ancient times and today. Its meaning is actually uncertain: another possible origin is from manes, deities of the underworld.
