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Gladiator Baby Names

  1. Severus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "stern"

    • Description:

      Though it has literary credentials--making an appearance in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park and as the mean-spirited teacher Severus Snape in the Harry Potter books, most modern parents would find it too--well--severe.
  2. Octavius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "eighth"

    • Description:

      Octavius, which was at one time used for the eighth child in a family, has the worn leather patina of all the ancient Roman names now up for reconsideration. As a Roman family name, it derives from the uncommon forename Octavus, which designated an eighth son.
  3. Silvanus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  4. Vinicius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  5. Silvius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  6. Gaius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "to rejoice"

    • Description:

      Stately Gaius (pronounced GUY-us) was in the name of many ancient Romans, including Julius Caesar. Little-used before the year 2000, it now feels like a fresh possibility in the revival of Latin boys' names like Atticus and Cassius. Caius and derivatives like Caio come from the same root, and in ancient Roman times Caius was probably pronounced as Gaius. You could also see Gaius as a male version of the earth-goddess name Gaia.
  7. 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.

  8. Claudius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  9. Valerius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"

    • Description:

      Valerius is an ancient Roman family name turned first name. While Valerius is more familiar as its derivatives Valerie and Valerian, the rise of Roman names ending in S for boys may inspire a revival of this strong choice.
  10. Thelonius

    • Origin:

      Latinized form of German Tielo or Till

    • Meaning:

      "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. :
  11. Junius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  12. Spartacus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  13. Livius

    • Origin:

      Roman

    • Description:

      Ancient Roman surname from which European favorite Livia derives. The Roman historian Titus Livius is better known in English as Livy.
  14. Sextus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "sixth born"

    • Description:

      Just think about those inescapable "sexy" nicknames. The related Sixtus is not a huge improvement.
  15. Faustus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "fortunate one"

    • Description:

      Faustus is a masculine name with ancient Roman origins, derived from the Latin word 'faustus' meaning 'lucky' or 'favorable.' It shares roots with the word 'auspicious' and was used during the Classical period to denote good fortune.
  16. Quintus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  17. Decimus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  18. Fabius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "bean"

    • Description:

      Though the Fabian or Fabio versions are more often heard today, Fabius is the Roman family name they originated from. The general Quintus Fabius Maximum was famous for his strategic delaying tactics, so this might be a good choice for a child who is born late!
  19. Pontius

    • Origin:

      Roman

    • Meaning:

      "fifth"

    • Description:

      This Roman name is featured in the New Testament as that of the governor of Judea.
  20. Manius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.