Roman names carry an undeniable power and elegance that has endured for over two thousand years. From the mighty emperors who ruled vast territories to the gods worshipped in grand temples.
These names represent strength, nobility, and timeless beauty. Whether you’re searching for the perfect baby name, creating characters for your novel, or simply fascinated by ancient history, Roman names offer a treasure trove of meaningful options.
Why Choose Roman Names?
Roman names possess a distinctive quality that sets them apart from other naming traditions. They evoke images of marble columns, golden laurel wreaths, and stories of courage that have inspired generations. These names connect us to one of history’s most influential civilizations, offering both gravitas and grace.
Benefits of Roman Names:
- Timeless Appeal: These names have survived millennia and remain stylish today
- Strong Meanings: Most Roman names carry powerful meanings related to virtues, nature, or divine qualities
- Cultural Richness: They connect to fascinating stories from mythology, history, and literature
- Versatile Options: From short and simple to grand and elaborate, there’s something for every taste
- Modern Relevance: Many Roman names blend seamlessly into contemporary society
Understanding Roman Naming Conventions
Ancient Romans typically used a three-part naming system that reflected their social status and family lineage:
- Praenomen – The personal given name (like Marcus or Gaius)
- Nomen – The family or clan name (like Julius or Cornelius)
- Cognomen – A nickname or branch identifier (like Caesar or Brutus)
For example, the famous general was named Gaius Julius Caesar, where Gaius was his personal name, Julius indicated his family, and Caesar was his cognomen.
Women in ancient Rome typically used the feminine form of their father’s nomen, such as Julia (daughter of the Julius family) or Cornelia (from the Cornelius family).
Popular Roman Names for Boys
Classic Strong Names
- Marcus – Dedicated to Mars, god of war
- Maximus – The greatest
- Lucius – Light, illumination
- Titus – Title of honor
- Gaius – To rejoice
- Julius – Youthful, downy-bearded
- Augustus – Venerable, majestic
- Felix – Lucky, fortunate
- Cassius – Vain or hollow
- Brutus – Heavy, dull (ironically used by noble families)
Distinctive Boys’ Names
- Aurelius – Golden
- Octavian – Eighth
- Tiberius – Of the Tiber River
- Nero – Strong, vigorous
- Severus – Stern, serious
- Darius – Wealthy, possessing goodness
- Quintus – Fifth
- Decimus – Tenth
- Rufus – Red-haired
- Valentinus – Strong, vigorous
Noble Roman Names
- Scipio – Staff, walking stick
- Cicero – Chickpea (famous orator’s name)
- Cato – Wise, all-knowing
- Publius – Public, of the people
- Atticus – From Attica
- Flavius – Golden, blonde
- Valerius – To be strong
- Cornelius – Horn
- Antonius – Priceless, praiseworthy
- Claudius – Lame (noble family name)
Warrior Names
- Agrippa – Born feet first
- Gnaeus – Born, created
- Remus – Swift, oar
- Romulus – Of Rome (legendary founder)
- Marcellus – Young warrior
- Caius – To rejoice
- Marius – Male, virile
- Sextus – Sixth
- Aulus – Little grandfather
- Appius – Related to the Appian Way
Beautiful Roman Names for Girls
Elegant Classical Names
- Julia – Youthful
- Aurelia – Golden
- Livia – Olive, envious
- Octavia – Eighth
- Claudia – Lame (noble family)
- Cornelia – Horn, strong-willed
- Flavia – Golden-haired
- Lucia – Light
- Valeria – Strong, vigorous
- Camilla – Young ceremonial attendant
Graceful Roman Names
- Aelia – Sun
- Sabina – Sabine woman
- Marcia – Dedicated to Mars
- Lavinia – Purity
- Domitia – Tamed, subdued
- Cassia – Cinnamon
- Antonia – Priceless
- Faustina – Lucky, fortunate
- Prisca – Ancient, venerable
- Lucilla – Little light
Beautiful Goddess-Inspired Names
- Juno – Queen of the gods
- Venus – Love, beauty
- Diana – Divine, heavenly
- Minerva – Intellect, wisdom
- Vesta – Hearth, home
- Flora – Flower
- Luna – Moon
- Aurora – Dawn
- Ceres – Growth, agriculture
- Fortuna – Luck, fortune
Sophisticated Girls’ Names
- Agrippina – Born feet first
- Calpurnia – Cup-bearer
- Drusilla – Strong
- Emilia – Rival, eager
- Hortensia – Of the garden
- Junia – Young
- Licinia – Of the light
- Petronia – Rock, stone
- Tertia – Third
- Vibia – Lively
Roman Emperor Names
The emperors of Rome wielded absolute power and their names became legendary. Many carried multiple titles and names throughout their reigns.
Early Empire Emperors
- Augustus – First Roman Emperor (27 BC – 14 AD)
- Tiberius – Second emperor, stepson of Augustus
- Caligula – Notorious for excess and cruelty
- Claudius – Scholarly emperor, conquered Britain
- Nero – Last of the Julio-Claudian dynasty
- Galba – Brief reign during Year of Four Emperors
- Otho – Reigned only three months
- Vitellius – Defeated by Vespasian
- Vespasian – Founded Flavian dynasty
- Titus – Completed the Colosseum
Golden Age Emperors
- Domitian – Last Flavian emperor
- Nerva – Elderly senator chosen as emperor
- Trajan – Greatest military expansion
- Hadrian – Built Hadrian’s Wall, loved Greek culture
- Antoninus Pius – Peaceful and prosperous reign
- Marcus Aurelius – Philosopher-emperor
- Lucius Verus – Co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius
- Commodus – Son of Marcus Aurelius, fought as gladiator
- Pertinax – Briefly succeeded Commodus
- Didius Julianus – Bought the empire at auction
Later Empire
- Septimius Severus – Founded Severan dynasty
- Caracalla – Extended Roman citizenship to all free men
- Geta – Co-emperor, killed by his brother Caracalla
- Elagabalus – Controversial teenage emperor
- Alexander Severus – Last of Severan dynasty
- Diocletian – Reorganized the empire
- Constantine – First Christian emperor
- Julian – “The Apostate,” tried to restore paganism
- Theodosius – Last emperor of united empire
- Romulus Augustus – Last Western Roman Emperor
Roman God and Goddess Names
Major Male Deities
- Jupiter – King of gods, sky and thunder
- Mars – War and military power
- Neptune – Sea and earthquakes
- Apollo – Sun, music, prophecy, healing
- Mercury – Messenger, commerce, travelers
- Vulcan – Fire, metalworking, forge
- Saturn – Agriculture, time, wealth
- Pluto – Underworld and riches
- Bacchus – Wine, festivity, ecstasy
- Janus – Beginnings, transitions, doorways
Major Female Deities
- Juno – Marriage, queen of gods
- Venus – Love, beauty, desire
- Diana – Hunt, moon, childbirth
- Minerva – Wisdom, strategic warfare, crafts
- Vesta – Hearth, home, family
- Ceres – Agriculture, grain, fertility
- Proserpina – Springtime, queen of underworld
- Bellona – War and conquest
- Fortuna – Luck and fate
- Aurora – Dawn
Roman Family Names (Nomina)
These prestigious family names represented ancient Roman clans and dynasties:
Patrician Families
- Julii – Family of Julius Caesar
- Claudii – Ancient patrician house
- Cornelii – One of the greatest Roman families
- Aemilii – Prominent political dynasty
- Fabii – Powerful in early Republic
- Valerii – Known for diplomacy and leadership
- Horatii – Legendary warrior family
- Servilii – Religious prominence
- Licinii – Known for social reforms
- Sulpicii – Historic senatorial family
Notable Houses
- Pompeii – Family of Pompey the Great
- Flavii – Imperial dynasty of Vespasian
- Domitii – Ancestors of Nero
- Antonii – Family of Mark Antony
- Calpurnii – Political prestige
- Tullii – Cicero’s family
- Plautii – Consular family
- Papirii – Early Republican lineage
- Caecilii – Banking and finance
- Manlii – Military tradition
Unique and Rare Roman Names
Uncommon Boys’ Names
- Novellius – New, novel
- Gaiorix – Joyful king
- Valcian – Strong one
- Thalorix – Blooming ruler
- Petronis – Of the rock
- Bravion – Bold one
- Obscurius – Dark, mysterious
- Ventilius – Of the wind
- Emerix – Deserving
- Caelus – Sky, heaven
Rare Girls’ Names
- Galanthea – Milk flower
- Lunaris – Of the moon
- Velaria – Veiled one
- Serenax – Calm, peaceful
- Aurelia Nova – New golden one
- Florantha – Flowering
- Camilor – Ceremonial honor
- Lavion – Washed, pure
- Tranquilla – Calm, quiet
- Myrnella – Gentle myrrh
Fantasy Roman-Inspired Names
- Apollox – Sun-blessed
- Minervan – Wisdom-bearer
- Vestana – Guardian of home
- Plutior – Wealth-bringer
- Martellius – Little warrior
- Solara – Of the sun
- Terranus – Of the earth
- Gladius – Sword
- Scutarius – Shield bearer
- Legionis – Of the legion
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Roman Name
Consider the Meaning
Roman names often carried significant meanings that reflected virtues, natural elements, or divine connections. Consider what qualities you want the name to represent. For instance, Valeria means “strong,” perfect for conveying power and resilience, while Lucia means “light,” ideal for brightness and clarity.
Think About Pronunciation
While Roman names are beautiful, some can be challenging for modern speakers. Consider how the name will sound in everyday conversation. Names like Marcus, Julia, and Felix are easily pronounced, while Gnaeus or Aelia might require explanation.
Match the Personality
If you’re choosing a name for a character, ensure it reflects their traits and role in your story. A brave warrior might suit Maximus or Bellona, while a wise advisor could be called Minerva or Cicero.
Consider Historical Context
Research the historical figures who bore the name. While Nero sounds powerful, it’s associated with a tyrannical emperor. Augustus, however, brings connotations of greatness and dignity.
Check Gender Appropriateness
Roman names typically follow gender patterns, with masculine names often ending in -us, -ius, or -or, and feminine names ending in -a or -ia. However, some names like Felix can work across genders with slight modifications (Felix/Felicia).
Modern Adaptability
Think about how the name will work in contemporary settings. Names like Julian, Marcus, and Olivia (from Livia) have already made the transition beautifully, while others might feel more unusual.
Combine Elements Creatively
You can create unique variations by combining elements from different Roman names or adding Roman-style endings to create something fresh yet authentic-feeling.
Roman Names by Category
Names Meaning “Strong” or “Powerful”
- Maximus (greatest)
- Valentinus (strong)
- Fortis (brave)
- Potens (powerful)
- Valerius (to be strong)
- Robustus (strong, firm)
Names Meaning “Light” or “Bright”
- Lucius/Lucia (light)
- Aurelia/Aurelius (golden)
- Clara/Clarus (bright, clear)
- Candida (white, bright)
- Lucilla (little light)
Names Meaning “Victory” or “Success”
- Victor/Victoria (conqueror)
- Vincentius (conquering)
- Triumphus (triumph)
- Palma (palm of victory)
Names from Nature
- Flora (flower)
- Silvanus (of the forest)
- Aquila (eagle)
- Leo (lion)
- Corvus (raven)
- Rosa (rose)
Famous Romans and Their Names
Understanding the lives behind these names adds depth to your choice:
- Marcus Tullius Cicero – Greatest Roman orator and philosopher
- Gaius Julius Caesar – Military genius and dictator
- Marcus Aurelius – Stoic philosopher-emperor
- Livia Drusilla – Powerful empress, wife of Augustus
- Agrippina the Younger – Mother of Nero, political manipulator
- Cornelia Africana – Mother of the Gracchi, paragon of virtue
- Octavia Minor – Sister of Augustus, symbol of dignity
- Calpurnia – Last wife of Julius Caesar
- Brutus – Caesar’s assassin, complex tragic figure
- Scipio Africanus – Defeated Hannibal at Zama
Conclusion
Roman names offer an incredible wealth of options for anyone seeking a name with historical depth, powerful meaning, and timeless elegance. From the mighty emperors who shaped Western civilization to the gods and goddesses who inspired devotion, these names connect us to stories that have captivated humanity for thousands of years.
Whether you choose a common name like Marcus or Julia, a unique option like Galanthea or Novellius, or create your own Roman-inspired variation, you’re participating in a naming tradition that has endured through the ages. The strength, nobility, and beauty of Roman names ensure they will continue to inspire and enchant for generations to come.
