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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. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Septimus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "the seventh son"

    • Description:

      Septimus is one of the more dashing of the birth-order Latin number names that were revived by the Victorians. So even if you don't anticipate son number 7, you might be bold enough to consider this relic, certainly preferable to sixth-son name Sextus.
  6. 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.
  7. Primus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  8. 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.
  9. Seneca

    • Origin:

      Latin surname and Native American

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  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. Sextus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "sixth born"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Roman

    • Meaning:

      "fifth"

    • Description:

      This Roman name is featured in the New Testament as that of the governor of Judea.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.

  15. 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.
  16. Viridius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "green"

    • Description:

      Viridius was a pagan god of ancient Roman Britain. An alternative spelling is Viridios.
  17. Lucretius

    • Origin:

      Latin clan name

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  18. 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.
  19. Arrius

    • Origin:

      Roman family name

    • Description:

      Arrius appears in the fourteenth century writings of Geoffrey Chaucer, but this name is even older. Arrius was a Roman general, and he appears briefly in Starz original series Spartacus. With names like Maximus and Julius in favor, Arrius fits right in.
  20. Antonius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from Antium; priceless"

    • Description:

      This is the original Roman form of Anthony, and it might just be ready for revival, now that Latin names like Maximus and Atticus have hit the big time. Antonius is also a form used in the Netherlands. The Roman general Mark Antony (as in Antony and Cleopatra) was born Marcus Antonius.

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