Rome built the world that most of us still live in. Its legal systems underpin modern law. Its language lives inside every Romance language spoken today and inside English in ways most people never notice. Its architectural forms are still being copied. Its calendar is still the one we use. And its names are still being given to children born two thousand years after the last emperor fell.
That is not nostalgia. It is recognition of something real. Roman names carry a particular weight that comes from being attached to one of the most consequential civilisations in human history. When you name a child Augustus or Julia or Marcus or Aurelia, you are connecting them to a world that produced Caesar and Cicero, Livia and Cleopatra, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius. You are giving them a name that has been spoken continuously for over two thousand years and is still immediately recognisable to anyone on earth.
Roman names also carry a specific structural beauty that modern names rarely replicate. The Romans had a tripartite naming system where citizens carried a praenomen, a nomen, and a cognomen. Each part of the name carried specific information about the person’s family, ancestry, and individual identity. Even stripped of that system, Roman names feel complete in a way that reflects how seriously the Romans took the act of naming.
For parents who want a name with genuine historical depth, philosophical weight, and a beauty that has been tested across two millennia, the Roman naming tradition offers something that almost no other tradition can match. These are not simply old names. They are names that carried empires.
We have gathered 230 ancient Roman baby names across every corner of the Roman world. Names of Roman women and men, of empresses and emperors, of gods and goddesses, of virtues and ideals. Every name in this list has been chosen because it is genuinely beautiful and genuinely worth carrying forward into a new life.
Ancient Roman Baby Girl Names
Roman women carried names drawn from their family’s gens, the great clan to which they belonged. A daughter of the Julia family was simply Julia. A daughter of the Claudia family was Claudia. This system gave Roman women’s names a particular elegance and simplicity that feels surprisingly modern. These are names that have been beautiful for two thousand years and show absolutely no sign of stopping.
Ancient Roman Baby Girl Names (The Top Picks: 1 to 25)
- Julia
- Claudia
- Livia
- Aurelia
- Cornelia
- Valeria
- Lucretia
- Octavia
- Caecilia
- Lavinia
- Portia
- Tullia
- Fulvia
- Aemilia
- Flavia
- Hortensia
- Junia
- Licinia
- Marcia
- Mucia
- Naevia
- Plautia
- Scribonia
- Sempronia
- Servilia
Ancient Roman Baby Girl Names (Good Picks: 26 to 50)
- Terentia
- Vibia
- Voconia
- Acilia
- Baebia
- Caelia
- Domitia
- Egnatia
- Fabia
- Gabinia
- Herennia
- Iulia
- Junia
- Laelia
- Mamia
- Nonia
- Oppia
- Papia
- Quinctia
- Rutilia
- Sextia
- Turia
- Umbria
- Varia
- Volteia
Ancient Roman Baby Boy Names
Roman men carried the full weight of the tripartite naming system and the most distinguished carried names that announced their entire lineage in three words. These names belong to senators and generals, to philosophers and poets, to the men who built and governed one of the greatest empires the world has ever seen. They carry all of that history without being heavy.
Ancient Roman Baby Boy Names (The Top Picks: 1 to 25)
- Marcus
- Julius
- Augustus
- Maximus
- Lucius
- Gaius
- Titus
- Brutus
- Cassius
- Cicero
- Decimus
- Fabius
- Gnaeus
- Hadrian
- Italus
- Janus
- Kaeso
- Lepidus
- Manius
- Nero
- Octavian
- Publius
- Quintus
- Romulus
- Servius
Ancient Roman Baby Boy Names (Good Picks: 26 to 50)
- Tiberius
- Ulpius
- Varius
- Vibius
- Aemilius
- Balbus
- Calvus
- Drusus
- Ennius
- Florianus
- Galba
- Horatius
- Iunius
- Lentulus
- Mamercus
- Naevius
- Oppius
- Paullus
- Rullus
- Scipio
- Tacitus
- Vespasian
- Vergilius
- Vitellius
- Xenophon
Roman Empress Baby Names
The women who stood beside the emperors of Rome were among the most powerful figures in the ancient world. Livia shaped the early empire through sheer political intelligence. Agrippina commanded armies. Helena changed the religious history of the Western world. These are the names of women who understood power in its most sophisticated form.
Roman Empress Baby Names (The Top Picks: 1 to 25)
- Livia
- Agrippina
- Messalina
- Poppaea
- Faustina
- Julia
- Domitia
- Plotina
- Sabina
- Marciana
- Matidia
- Drusilla
- Berenice
- Helena
- Theodora
- Eudoxia
- Placidia
- Honoria
- Ariadne
- Euphemia
- Lupicina
- Anastasia
- Sophia
- Constantina
- Irene
Roman Empress Baby Names (Good Picks: 26 to 50)
- Eudokia
- Zoe
- Theophano
- Maria
- Eudoxia
- Evdokia
- Skleraina
- Alania
- Doukaina
- Komnene
- Kantakouzene
- Palaiologina
- Laskarina
- Angelina
- Branas
- Melissene
- Tornike
- Tzimiske
- Doukas
- Botaneiates
- Diogenes
- Kontostephanos
- Kamateros
- Philanthropenos
- Tarchaneiotes
Roman Emperor Baby Names
The emperors of Rome ruled the known world and their names have echoed through history ever since. From the restrained dignity of Augustus to the philosophical depth of Marcus Aurelius, from the brilliant administration of Hadrian to the military genius of Trajan, these names belong to men who shaped the course of Western civilisation.
Roman Emperor Baby Names (The Top Picks: 1 to 25)
- Augustus
- Tiberius
- Caligula
- Claudius
- Nero
- Galba
- Otho
- Vitellius
- Vespasian
- Titus
- Domitian
- Nerva
- Trajan
- Hadrian
- Antoninus
- Marcus
- Lucius
- Commodus
- Pertinax
- Didius
- Septimius
- Caracalla
- Geta
- Macrinus
- Elagabalus
Roman Emperor Baby Names (Good Picks: 26 to 50)
- Severus
- Maximinus
- Gordian
- Pupienus
- Balbinus
- Philip
- Decius
- Trebonianus
- Aemilianus
- Valerian
- Gallienus
- Claudius
- Quintillus
- Aurelian
- Tacitus
- Florianus
- Probus
- Carus
- Carinus
- Numerian
- Diocletian
- Maximian
- Constantius
- Galerius
- Constantine
Roman Mythology Baby Names
The Romans took Greek mythology and made it entirely their own, renaming the gods and giving them a distinctly Roman character. Venus is not quite the same as Aphrodite. Mars carries a different energy to Ares. Diana is not identical to Artemis. These Roman divine names carry the particular quality of a civilisation that approached even its religion with practicality, order, and a deep sense of civic duty.
Roman Mythology Baby Names (The Top Picks: 1 to 25)
- Venus
- Diana
- Minerva
- Juno
- Vesta
- Ceres
- Aurora
- Fortuna
- Victoria
- Flora
- Luna
- Bellona
- Clementia
- Concordia
- Fides
- Felicitas
- Libertas
- Pietas
- Salus
- Spes
- Virtus
- Abundantia
- Aeternitas
- Pax
- Pudicitia
Roman Mythology Baby Names (Good Picks: 26 to 50)
- Jupiter
- Mars
- Mercury
- Neptune
- Pluto
- Saturn
- Vulcan
- Bacchus
- Janus
- Quirinus
- Portunus
- Silvanus
- Terminus
- Vertumnus
- Volturnus
- Consus
- Ops
- Pales
- Pomona
- Robigus
- Tellus
- Tempestas
- Virbius
- Voluptas
- Vacuna
Roman Virtue Baby Names
One of the most distinctive features of Roman naming culture was the practice of naming children after abstract virtues. Virtus meant courage and excellence. Pietas meant duty and devotion. Concordia meant harmony. Felicitas meant happiness. These names were not simply aspirations. They were deities in their own right, worshipped in temples and honoured in public life. Giving a child one of these names was an act of genuine philosophical intention.
Roman Virtue Baby Names (The Top Picks: 1 to 25)
- Virtus
- Pietas
- Fides
- Pax
- Victoria
- Concordia
- Libertas
- Felicitas
- Fortuna
- Spes
- Salus
- Clementia
- Pudicitia
- Abundantia
- Aeternitas
- Honos
- Iustitia
- Laetitia
- Moneta
- Nobilitas
- Ops
- Pax
- Providentia
- Securitas
- Tranquillitas
Short Ancient Roman Baby Names
The Romans had a genius for short, powerful names that carried enormous meaning in just a syllable or two. Many of the most distinguished figures in Roman history had names that take no more than two seconds to say. These short Roman names prove that gravitas has never required length.
Short Ancient Roman Baby Names (The Top Picks: 1 to 25)
- Julia
- Livia
- Flavia
- Portia
- Laelia
- Mucia
- Fabia
- Turia
- Vibia
- Oppia
- Caelia
- Baebia
- Egnatia
- Gaius
- Titus
- Lucius
- Nero
- Galba
- Otho
- Geta
- Carus
- Probus
- Decius
- Philip
- Tacitus
Ancient Roman Baby Names by Historical Period
Rome lasted for over a thousand years and the names that Romans favoured shifted across that extraordinary span of time. Here are the most beautiful names from each major period of Roman history, so you can find a name that connects with the specific era that speaks to you most deeply.
Roman Republic Baby Names (The Top Picks: 1 to 10)
The Republic produced Rome’s most celebrated orators, generals, and political thinkers. The names from this period carry the particular austerity and civic pride of a culture that had not yet become an empire and was fiercely proud of the distinction.
- Cicero
- Brutus
- Cassius
- Scipio
- Hortensia
- Cornelia
- Lucretia
- Portia
- Servilia
- Fulvia
Roman Empire Baby Names (The Top Picks: 1 to 10)
The Empire brought a new kind of grandeur to Roman naming. These names belonged to the most powerful individuals in the known world and carry the particular weight of absolute authority combined with the specific vulnerability that absolute authority always produces.
- Augustus
- Livia
- Tiberius
- Agrippina
- Claudius
- Messalina
- Nero
- Poppaea
- Hadrian
- Sabina
Late Roman and Byzantine Baby Names (The Top Picks: 1 to 10)
As Rome transformed into Byzantium and Christianity reshaped the empire, the naming tradition shifted to reflect the new world. These names carry the particular beauty of a civilisation in magnificent transition, blending the old Roman tradition with the new Christian one.
- Constantine
- Helena
- Theodora
- Justinian
- Irene
- Zoe
- Anastasia
- Sophia
- Eudoxia
- Placidia
Tips for Choosing an Ancient Roman Baby Name
Roman names come with their own very specific set of considerations. The Roman naming system was one of the most structured in history and understanding even a little of how it worked makes choosing a Roman name a much richer and more intentional experience. Here is what is worth knowing before you decide.
- Understand the Roman naming system before you choose. Roman citizens had three names. The praenomen was the personal name, equivalent to our first name, but there were only about eighteen of them in common use. The nomen was the family or clan name, the gens, and this is where the most beautiful Roman names come from. The cognomen was an additional name that distinguished branches of a family. Most modern parents choosing a Roman name are drawing from the nomen tradition, which gives them names like Julia, Claudia, Aurelia, and Cornelia for girls.
- Know that Roman women were named differently from Roman men. In the Roman system, women typically took the feminine form of their father’s family name. All daughters in the Iulius family were called Julia. All daughters in the Claudius family were called Claudia. If there were multiple daughters, they might be called Julia Major and Julia Minor. This system meant that Roman women’s names had an elegant simplicity that men’s names did not always share. When choosing a Roman girl’s name, you are drawing from this tradition of family names feminised.
- Think about which period of Roman history connects with you most. The Republic and the Empire produced very different naming cultures. Republican names like Brutus, Cassius, and Cornelia carry the stern civic pride of a culture built on collective values. Imperial names like Augustus, Livia, and Hadrian carry the grandeur and occasional tragedy of absolute power. Late Roman and Byzantine names like Constantine, Helena, and Theodora carry the particular beauty of a world in transformation. Knowing your period helps you find the name that carries the right kind of historical weight.
- Consider the figure who carried the name most famously. Most well known Roman names are associated with specific historical figures and those associations are worth knowing. Lucretia carries the story of a woman whose death sparked a revolution. Cornelia carries the story of Rome’s most admired mother. Brutus carries the story of the most famous act of political betrayal in history. Cicero carries the story of the greatest orator who ever lived. These associations enrich the name enormously if you know them and can share them with your child.
- Think about the modern versions of Roman names. Many Roman names have modern equivalents that have been in continuous use since antiquity. Julius became Jules and Julian. Marcus became Mark and Marco. Julia remained Julia. Claudia remained Claudia. Aurelia is making a strong comeback in exactly its original form. If you love a Roman name but are concerned about how it will sit in a modern context, check whether a contemporary form exists that preserves the Roman character while being immediately familiar to modern ears.
- Do not overlook the Roman virtue names. Names like Pax, Victoria, Felicitas, and Concordia were worshipped as actual deities in Rome and given to children as profound statements of intention. They feel contemporary because they are. Pax has been used continuously since the Roman era. Victoria is one of the most successful names in modern English. Felix and Felicity are simply the masculinised and anglicised forms of Felicitas. The Roman virtue names are some of the most successful names in all of Western history.
- Consider the sound of the name in modern English. Latin pronunciation differs from English pronunciation in ways that can occasionally create unexpected results. Gaius was pronounced Guy-us in Latin. Caecilia was pronounced Kai-kilia. Julius was pronounced Yoo-lee-us. Most parents choosing Roman names use the anglicised pronunciation rather than the classical one, which is completely fine. Just be aware that a classicist might pronounce your child’s name differently from the way you intend and decide in advance how you feel about that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ancient Roman baby names attract questions that are specific to the history, the naming system, and the particular weight that comes with choosing a name from one of history’s greatest civilisations. Parents want to know how the Roman system actually worked, which names have survived most successfully into the modern world, and what it means to carry a name that was first spoken two thousand years ago. Here are the most honest and informed answers we can give.
How did Roman naming actually work?
Roman citizens used a system of three names called the tria nomina. The praenomen was the personal name given at birth and there were only about eighteen of these in common use for men, which meant that Roman men were frequently identified primarily by their family name and cognomen rather than their praenomen. The nomen was the family or clan name, the gens, and this is the source of names like Julius, Claudius, Aurelius, and Cornelius. The cognomen was an additional name that distinguished branches within a family and often originated as a nickname. Women used a simplified version of this system, typically taking only the feminised form of their father’s nomen.
What are the most popular ancient Roman baby girl names right now?
These are the Roman girl names that are seeing the strongest revival in modern naming, combining genuine classical beauty with a freshness that feels completely contemporary.
- Aurelia
- Livia
- Julia
- Cornelia
- Octavia
- Lavinia
- Claudia
- Portia
- Flavia
- Valeria
What are the most popular ancient Roman baby boy names right now?
These Roman boy names are being chosen by parents who want something with genuine historical depth and a classical beauty that has been proven across two thousand years of continuous use.
- Maximus
- Julius
- Augustus
- Marcus
- Lucius
- Titus
- Cassius
- Hadrian
- Atticus
- Cyprian
Which Roman names have survived most successfully into the modern world?
Many Roman names never left. Julia has been in continuous use since the Roman era and remains one of the most popular names in the Western world today. Marcus has never fallen out of fashion. Victoria, a Roman virtue goddess, is one of the most successful names in modern English naming history. Felix and Felicity are simply anglicised forms of the Roman Felicitas. Claudia, Livia, Aurelia, and Cornelia are all making strong comebacks. The Roman names that survived best are the ones that were absorbed into the Christian naming tradition and the ones that were anglicised into forms that English speakers found natural.
Is Atticus a Roman name?
Atticus is indeed a Roman name, though it originally referred to someone from Attica, the region of Greece that contains Athens. The most famous bearer of the name in antiquity was Titus Pomponius Atticus, the close friend and correspondent of Cicero, who adopted the name because of his love of Greek culture and his long residence in Athens. In modern times, Atticus is most associated with the character Atticus Finch in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, which has made it one of the most popular literary and classical names of the current generation. It sits at the intersection of Roman naming and literary naming in a way that very few names manage.
Are Roman names too heavy for a modern child?
Not at all, and the evidence for this is all around us. Julius, Julia, Marcus, Claudia, Victoria, Felix, and Maximus are all Roman names that have been carried by billions of people across two thousand years without ever feeling like a burden. The names that feel heavy are the ones with very specific and unavoidable historical associations that overshadow the name itself. Caligula and Nero carry associations that would be difficult for a modern child. But Aurelia, Livia, Titus, and Cassius carry history without being defined by any single figure. They feel classical and beautiful rather than heavy, and they give a child something genuinely rare in modern naming: a name with two thousand years of proven staying power.
What is the difference between a Roman name and a Latin name?
All Roman names are Latin names in the sense that they come from the Latin language and culture. But not all Latin names are specifically Roman in origin. Some names used in the Roman world came from Greek, from Etruscan, from Oscan, and from other languages of the ancient Mediterranean world. Names like Helena, Phoebe, and Cassandra are Greek names that Romans used. Names like Tanaquil and Caeculus have Etruscan roots. When people refer to Roman names they typically mean names that were specifically part of the Roman gens system, the great family naming tradition that produced Julia, Claudia, Aurelia, and the other names most strongly associated with the Roman world.