Roman Catholic Inspired Names

Macarius

Greek

"blessed"

Macarius, the name of several early saints, is virtually unknown in the U.S. though its Spanish forms Macario and the feminine Macaria are sometimes used. With the revival of many ancient s-ending…

Marius

Latin, from a Roman family name related to Mars, the god of war

Marius, frequently heard in Germany and France, is a slightly fusty yet accessible name that has (Les Mis) to Anne Rice. With the rise in interest in such Latin names as Maximus and Atticus, Marius…

Neo

Latin or Tswana

"new or gift"

This nouveau name of Keanu Reeves's character in The Matrix has not enjoyed the same burst of popularity as its female counterpart, Trinity, but it definitely sounds, well, newer. Neo Rauch is an…

Neri

Hebrew

"my candle"

Gender-neutral choice ideal for a child born during Hanukkah.

Nestor

Greek

"traveler, voyager"

A wise ruler of legend--his sage advice helped the Greeks win the Trojan War--whose name is a possibility for the adventurous, though related in sound to the dated Lester-Hester family.

Ninnian

Ninnian is a masculine name with Celtic and Scottish origins, derived from the historical Saint Ninian, a 4th-century missionary who introduced Christianity to Scotland. The name may have evolved…

Norbert

German

"bright or renowned north"

A medieval German saint's name which remained popular in Germany until the middle of the 20th century. It is still in relatively wide use in other European countries, including Poland and Hungary.…

Oceanus

Mythological name

"ocean"

Oceanus was the Titan in ancient Greek mythology who rules what they thought was the body of water that surrounded the Earth. Oceanus was, appropriately enough, the name of the baby born on the…

Octavian

Latin

"eighth"

With the rise of ancient Roman names, Octavian suddenly seem plausible again. A variation of Octavius and relative of the more modern Octavio, it's an equally attractive member of the trio.

Odo

German

"wealthy"

Odo is an ancient Germanic masculine name with rich historical connections. The more modern form is the new fashionable Otto. Most famously associated with Odo of Bayeux, the medieval bishop who…

Odran

Odran is a masculine name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic 'Ódhrán' meaning 'pale green' or 'sallow.' This ancient name was borne by several Irish saints, including a 6th-century monk who was…