Latin Boys' Names

Roman names, Latin/Latinized names from mythology and history, medieval Latinized names.
  1. Achilles
    • Origin:

      Greek, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      The name of the great Homeric hero with the vulnerable heel, Achilles is more popular in its international form, Achille, which is popular in France, Italy, and Belgium. This variation did however appear briefly on the US Top 1000 list in 2015, perhaps owing to its similarity to the likes of Atticus, Adonis, and Apollo. It has declined in use since then, but is nevertheless chosen for around 160 babies each year.
  2. Aeneas
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "the praised one"
    • Description:

      He was the legendary son of Venus, hero of Troy and Rome, and broke the heart of Queen Dido of Carthage. Sure, its more challenging than Charlie - but if you're looking this name up, that's probably part of its appeal.
  3. Ajax
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Description:

      Ajax was the strong and courageous Greek hero featured in Homer's "Iliad," known as Ajax the Great. But it's also the name of a foaming cleanser, and if you find that reference too strong, you might try the shortened Jax instead.
  4. Androcles
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "glorious man"
    • Description:

      Mythological name with a fabulous meaning. Sure it's weighty, but so is Aphrodite; Andy is an easy nickname choice to make this name more wearable in the classroom.
  5. Apollo
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "destroyer"
    • Description:

      With mythological names rising, the handsome son of Zeus and god of medicine, music, and poetry among many other things might offer an interesting, if high-pressure, option.
  6. Atticus
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "from Attica"
    • Description:

      Atticus, with its trendy Roman feel combined with the upstanding, noble image of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, is a real winner among boy names. Atticus entered the US Top 1000 in 2004 and is a firm Nameberry favorite.
  7. Aurelian
    • Alcander
      • Caesar
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "cut"
        • Description:

          Caesar, the name of the greatest Roman of them all, is rarely used outside Latino families, where the Cesar spelling is preferred —as in activist Chavez and Dog Whisperer Millan. Its original meaning is debated — either "long-haired", "blue-gray" (as in eyes), or "cut" (because Julius Caesar was supposedly born by cesarian section) — it came to be the title to denote all Roman emperors and it is from the name Caesar that many other European royal titles are derived, including Kaiser and Tsar.
      • Caius
        • Origin:

          Variation of Gaius, Latin
        • Meaning:

          "rejoice"
        • Description:

          Caius is classical and serious but also has a simple, joyful quality. There was a third century pope named Caius, as well as an early Christian writer, several Shakespearean characters, and a Twilight vampire. We would pronounce the name to rhyme with eye-us though at Cambridge University in England, where it's the name of a college, it's pronounced keys.
      • Cassian
        • Origin:

          Latin, variation of Cassius
        • Meaning:

          "hollow"
        • Description:

          Rugged but gentle at the same time, Cassian is a saintly and stylish choice that was derived from the name Cassius. Before 2017, it was an obscure choice, given to a tiny handful of boys each year. As of 2023, however, it's become one of the top ten fastest-rising names in the US, more than doubling in usage since 2022 and edging closer towards the Top 500.
      • Cassius
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "hollow"
        • Description:

          Cassius, a Shakespearean name rooted in antiquity, is trending in a major way. It's one of a raft of Cas-starting names for both boys and girls, including Caspian, Cassian, and Cassia, that are enjoying a new moiment in the sun.
      • Castor
        • Origin:

          Greek; Latin
        • Meaning:

          "beaver; pious one"
        • Description:

          Forget the oil. It's one of the twins that make up the constellation Gemini, and a mythological name on the cutting-edge of fashion; used by Metallica's James Hetfield.
      • Cato
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "all-knowing"
        • Description:

          Cato conjures up images of ancient Roman statesmen and southern antebellum retainers; it could have revival potential, with its 'O' ending and the current interest in the names of Greek and Roman antiquity.
      • Clemens
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "merciful and gentle"
        • Description:

          This surname related to Clement is strongly associated with Major League pitcher Roger Clemens, winner of more Cy Young awards than any other pitcher in baseball history, and has a softer sound than Clement. Some variations are Clemen, Clementio, Clemention, and Clemons.
      • Constantine
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "steadfast"
        • Description:

          This Roman Emperor's name has long been considered too grand for an American boy. But in this era of children named Augustine and Atticus, it just may be prime for an unlikely comeback.
      • Cosmas
        • Origin:

          Greek
        • Meaning:

          "order, beauty, universe"
        • Description:

          Cosmas was the name of an Arabian saint who was martyred with his twin brother Damian. They are the patron saints of physicians. Cosmas is related to the more familiar, if only via Seinfeld, Cosmo. About 50 baby boys were named Cosmo in the US last year, but none were named Cosmas.
      • Cyprian
        • Origin:

          Greek
        • Meaning:

          "man of Cyprus"
        • Description:

          With a long and noble history -- Cyprian was one of the great Christian Latin writers -- this could make a highly unusual but meaningful choice.
      • Cyrus
        • Origin:

          Persian
        • Meaning:

          "sun"
        • Description:

          Cyrus is one of those surprising names that have always ranked among the Top 1000 boy names in the US. On an upward trend since the mid-90s, Cyrus now sits in that comfortable place between too popular and too unusual.
      • Callias