These
names are used primarily to refer to historical persons. They are not
commonly used by other people.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Aberkios m Ancient Greek, History (Ecclesiastical)Of unknown origin and meaning. This name was borne by a 2nd-century saint of Phrygia in Asia Minor, a bishop and wonderworker of Hieropolis who is the subject (and probable author) of an early Christian inscription.
Abibus m History (Ecclesiastical)Latinized form of Ἄβιβος
(Abibos) or
(Habibos), which is also found written as Ἄββιβος
(Abbibos) or
(Habbibos). It is a hellenization of the Hebrew name
Aviv, and not of the Arabic name
Habib, which most people would think at first glance.... [
more]
Abra f History, LiteraturePossibly a feminine form of
Abraham. It coincides with a Latin word meaning "maid". A known bearer was Saint Abra of Poitiers, a Gallo-Roman nun of the 4th century.
Abrocomas m HistoryLatinized form of the given name Aβρόκoμας
(Abrokomas) or
(Habrokomas), which is either the hellenized form of an unknown Persian given name, or a genuine Greek given name. In case of the latter, the name is probably derived from Greek ἁβροκόμης
(habrokomēs) meaning "with delicate hair" as well as "with luxuriant foliage"... [
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Acco m Gaulish, HistoryDerived from Gaulish
*acu- "swift, quick, fast". Acco was a chief of the Senones in Gaul, who induced his countrymen to revolt against Julius Caesar in 53 BC.
Aceolus m History (Ecclesiastical)Saint Aceolus of Amiens worked as a sub-deacon who was studying for the priesthood when he was arrested and murdered as part of the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian in 303 near Amiens, France.
Achillas m History (Ecclesiastical)Bishop and theologian who lived in an era of dispute in the Church. Achillas was the bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, one of the most powerful cities in the world at the time. Succeeding as bishop a man named St... [
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Adelphus m Late Roman, History (Ecclesiastical)Derived from Greek
ἀδελφός (adelphós) "brother" (literally "from the same womb", from the copulative prefix
a- "together with" and
delphys "womb"). Adelphus was a bishop of Metz, France, who is now venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.
Adil-giray m HistoryFrom Arabic عَادِل
(ʿādil) meaning "just, fair" (see
Adil) combined with the Turkic title
giray denoting a khan of Crimea. A notable bearer was Adil Khan Giray, the khan of the Crimean Khanate from 1666-1671.
Adityawarman m History, Indonesian (Rare)Derived from Sanskrit आदित्यवर्मन्
(adityavarman) meaning "protection of Aditya" or "protection of the sun", from the name of the Hindu god
Aditya combined with Sanskrit वर्मन्
(varman) meaning "armour, protection, shield"... [
more]
Adjutor m History (Ecclesiastical)Means "helper" in Latin. Adjutor is the patron saint of swimmers, boaters, and drowning victims, as well as of Vernon, France.
Adon m History (Ecclesiastical)French form of
Ado. Adon de Vienne (known as
Ado of Vienne in English) was archbishop of Vienne in Lotharingia from 850 until his death and is venerated as a saint... [
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Aedesius m History (Ecclesiastical)Martyr and brother of St.
Apphian. Aedesius, a Christian of some note in Caesarea, now part of modern Israel, witnessed the persecution of Christians, the result of Emperor Diocletian's policies... [
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Aelian m English, HistoryEnglish form of
Aelianus. A bearer of this name was Claudius Aelianus - often called Aelian in English - a Roman author and philosopher from the 3rd century AD.
Aetherius m History (Ecclesiastical), Medieval French (Latinized, ?)This name was borne by multiple saints: Saint Aetherius of Nicomedia (died 304), who was martyred during the persecutions of the Roman emperor Diocletian; Saint Aetherius the Martyr (4th century), a missionary bishop who evangelized in the Crimea and southern Russia and was also martyred; Saint Aetherius of Auxerre (6th century), a bishop of Auxerre, France; Saint Etherius of Lyons (died 602), a bishop of Lyons, France; and Saint Aetherius of Vienne (7th century), a bishop of Vienne, France.
Afrelia f History (Ecclesiastical)Afrelia was a late 6th century saint, and princess of Powys. It has been suggested that she may be identical to the little-known Saint
Arilda of Gloucester.
Agapitus m History (Ecclesiastical)Martyr in the reign of Emperor Aurelian. Buried in Palestrina, in Italy, Agapitus is traditionally identified as a fifteen-year old caught in the persecutions of the Christians in Antioch. He was brought before the governor when he announced his faith... [
more]
Agathonike f Late Greek, History (Ecclesiastical)Feminine form of
Agathonikos. This name was borne by an early Christian saint from Thyatira, who was either martyred with her brother Papylus and a companion named Carpus, or committed suicide after Carpus and Papylus were tortured and sacrificed by pagans.
Agesipolis m Ancient Greek, HistoryThe first element of this name is either derived from Greek ἆγειν
(agein) meaning "to carry, to fetch" or from Greek ἄγω
(ago) "to guide, to lead" (also see
Agis)... [
more]
Agis m Ancient Greek, HistoryDerived from the Greek verb ἄγω
(ago) meaning "to lead, to guide" as well as "to bring, to carry". It is closely related to the Greek verb ἡγέομαι
(hegeomai) meaning "to go before, to lead (the way)" as well as "to guide"... [
more]
Agobard m History (Ecclesiastical)Agobard of Lyon (c. 779–840) was a Spanish-born priest and archbishop of Lyon, during the Carolingian Renaissance. The author of multiple treatises, ranging in subject matter from the iconoclast controversy to Spanish Adoptionism to critiques of the Carolingian royal family, Agobard is best known for his critiques of Jewish religious practices and political power in the Frankish-Carolingian realm... [
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Ajuricaba m Brazilian, HistoryAjuricaba (died c. 1728) was a leader of the Manaos indigenous nation in the early 18th century. He rebelled against the colonizers, refusing to serve as a slave where he became a symbol of resistance and freedom.
Akepsimas m History (Ecclesiastical)The origin and meaning of this name are uncertain; it is a hellenized form of some name, which was perhaps of Middle Persian origin. This was the name of a 4th-century Christian saint and martyr, a bishop of Hnaita in western Persia who was tortured to death in 376.
Albinianus m Ancient Roman, HistoryRoman cognomen which was derived from
Albinius. A bearer of this name was Lucius Sestius Quirinalis Albinianus, a Roman proquaestor and suffect consul from the 1st century BC.
Alda f Alanic, History, Georgian (Rare)This name was most notably borne by the Alan princess Alda of Alania (11th century), who was the second wife of king Giorgi I of Georgia.... [
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Allyre m French (Rare, Archaic), History (Ecclesiastical)Possibly of Germanic origin. This was the name of a 4th-century Gallo-Roman saint praised by Gregory of Tours. Also known as Illidius, he was a bishop of Clermont in Auvergne, France, which he worked to establish as a center of religious teaching and devotion... [
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Almanzor m History (Hispanicized)From Arabic
al-Manṣūr meaning "the Victorious". Almanzor was a powerful military leader and statesman in Ummayad Al-Andalus who acted as the favourite of caliph
Hisham II.
Amalaswintha f Germanic, Dutch, HistoryDerived from the Germanic elements
amal "work" and Gothic
svinths (
swind in Old High German) "strength." This name was borne by a daughter of Theodoric the Great, who became queen of the Ostrogoths after his death in 526 AD.
Amasis m Ancient Egyptian (Hellenized), HistoryVariant form of Άμωσις
(Amosis), which is the hellenized form of the ancient Egyptian name
IaH-ms or
I'h-ms meaning "son of Iah". It is composed of the name of the Egyptian god
Iah combined with the word
mes "son" or
mesu "be born"... [
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Ambiorix m Old Celtic, HistoryContinental Celtic name, derived from Celtic
ambio "enclosure" (or
ambi "around, about" or
ambitio "rich") combined with Celtic
rix "king." This was the name of one of the two kings of a Gaulish tribe called the Eburones, who was famous for revolting against Julius Caesar in 54 BC (which eventually led to the extermination of the Eburones).
Ammianus m Late Roman, Late Greek (Latinized), HistoryFrom the late Roman cognomen
Ammianus, which is of uncertain origin and meaning, but it is noteworthy that all of the bearers known to history are of Byzantine Greek descent. As such, the original form of the name must have been Ἀμμιανός
(Ammianos), which thus means that Ammianus is a latinization of the original name.... [
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Analeʻa f Hawaiian, HistoryMeaning uncertain. It was borne by Hawaiian chiefess Analeʻa Keohokālole (1816-1869), the mother of Queen Liliʻuokalani.
Anantawikramottunggadewa m HistoryDerived from Sanskrit अनन्तविक्रमतुङ्गदेव
(anantavikramatungadeva) meaning "infinite valor of the high god". This is part of
Airlangga's regnal name, as well as that of his uncle, Dharmawangsa.
Andrianampoinimerina m Malagasy (Rare, Archaic), HistoryAndrianampoinimerina (1745–1810) ruled the Kingdom of Imerina from 1787 onwards, initiating the unification of Madagascar after more than seven decades of civil war. Therefore he is regarded as a cultural hero and holds near mythic status among the Merina people, being considered one of the greatest military and political leaders in the history of Madagascar.
Annemund m History (Ecclesiastical)From the Germanic name
Aunemund, in which the second element is
mund "protection". Saint Annemund was a 7th-century archbishop of Lyon; Queen
Balthild had him assassinated, according to
Bede.
An-sa m Korean, HistoryMeaning unknown. This was the name of I (also transliterated Yi, Lee and Ri) An-sa (d. 1274), an ancestor of the Joseon dynasty. Over a hundred years after his death his great-great-grandson King Taejo granted him a royal title and posthumously declared him King Mokjo of Joseon.
Antioch m Literature, HistoryEnglish form of
Antiochus. The capital city of Syria bore this name, an important centre in early Christianity (founded c.300 BC by Seleucus I Nictor and named for his father, Antiochus)... [
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Anysia f Greek (Rare), History (Ecclesiastical)Said to mean "fulfillment, completion" in Greek, from άνύω
(anuo) "to accomplish or complete". Saint Anysia of Salonika was a Christian virgin and martyr of the 4th century.
Apphian m History (Ecclesiastical)Aphian (Apphian, Apian, Appian, Amphianus, Amphian; Amfiano in Spanish and Italian) is venerated as a martyr by the Catholic Church and by the Eastern Orthodox Church. He is said to have died during the persecutions of the Emperor Galerius on April 2 in or around the year 305.
Apranik f Middle Persian, HistoryThe name of a commander of the Sasanian army against the invading Arab-Muslim forces during the reign of
Yazdegerd III (632-651 CE). After the Sasanian defeat, she continued to the resistance, fighting a guerilla war until she was killed in battle.
Aqualtune f HistoryMeaning unknown. According to legend, the name of a former Angolan princess and general, who commanded an army of 10,000 men to fight the invasion of her kingdom in the Congo.
Arabia f HistoryArabia (fl. 565) was the only recorded daughter of Byzantine Emperor Justin II (r. 565–578) and Empress Sophia. While mentioned in several primary sources, her name is only recorded in the
Patria of Constantinople... [
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Ardagast m Medieval Slavic, HistoryThe meaning of the first element of this name is unknown to me, but the second element is probably derived from Slavic
gost "guest". Also note the resemblance to the Germanic name
Arbogast... [
more]
Ardan m History (Ecclesiastical)Benedictine monk, also known as Ardanus. 13th abbot of the abbey of Saint Philibert at Tournus, diocese of Autun, France in 1028. Restored monastic buildings there, and cared for the local people during the famine of 1030 to 1033.
Ardaric m Germanic, HistoryVariant of
Hardaric, with reduction of the 'h.' Ardaric was the name of a 5th-century king of the Gepids, a Germanic tribe.
Aregund f Germanic, HistoryVariant spelling of
Aragund. Aregund was the name of the wife of Chlothar I, a 6th-century Merovingian king of the Franks.
Arethas m History (Ecclesiastical)Arethas was the leader of the Christian community of
Najran in the early 6th century; he was executed during the persecution of Christians by the Jewish king Dhu Nuwas in 523.
Ariarathes m Old Persian (Hellenized), HistoryHellenized form of an Old Persian male name, of which the first element is derived from Old Persian
aryā "Aryans". The second element is not really certain, but may have been derived from Old Persian
wratha "joy"... [
more]
Ariaspes m Old Persian (Hellenized), HistoryOf ancient Persian origin, but the meaning is unknown to me at this time. This was the name of one of the three legitimate sons of King Artexerxes II Mnemon, who lived in the 4th century BC.
Ariobarzanes m Old Persian (Hellenized), HistoryHellenized form of the Old Persian name *
Arya-bṛz-ana- which possibly meant "making the Aryans great", of which the first element is derived from Old Persian
aryā "Aryans". The second element is not really certain, perhaps
*brzi- "high"... [
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Ariogaisos m Gaulish, HistoryDerived from Gaulish
arios “noble” and
*gaisos “spear”. Ariogaisos (flourished in 2nd century AD) was a ruler of the Quadi, a Germanic tribe, during the Marcomannic War.
Aristagoras m Ancient Greek, HistoryThe first element of this name is derived from the Greek adjective ἄριστος
(aristos) meaning "best". The second element is derived from either the Greek verb ἀγορεύω
(agoreuo) meaning "to orate, to speak publicly" or the Greek noun ἀγορά
(agora), which can mean "assembly" as well as "market, marketplace".... [
more]
Arrhabaeus m Ancient Greek (Latinized), HistoryLatinized form of the ancient Greek given name Ἀρραβαῖος
(Arrhabaios), which is also found spelled as
Arrhibaios. The meaning of the name is uncertain. The first element of the name may possibly consist of the Greek prefix
ar meaning "not, without" (similar to the word
arrhythmia), whereas the second element might possibly be related to the Greek verb ῥαβάσσω
(rhabasso) "to make a noise"... [
more]
Artazostre f Old Persian (Hellenized), HistoryHellenized form of Old Persian *
Artazauštrī meaning "who is in favor of Arta/Ṛta, the deified Truth" or "who is devoted to Arta". This name was borne by a Persian princess (5th century BC); Artazostre was the daughter of Darius the Great by his wife
Artystone.
Asparuh m Bulgarian, Bulgar, HistoryVariant of
Asparukh. Asparuh was а ruler of the Bulgars in the second half of the 7th century and is credited with the establishment of the First Bulgarian Empire in 680/681.
Asti m History (Ecclesiastical), AlbanianAsti is a 2nd-century Christian martyr venerated by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. He was the bishop of Dyrrhachium (now Durrës in Albania). According to legend, he was arrested by Agricola, the Roman governor of Dyrrachium, and was tortured to death around 98 AD for refusing to worship the god Dionysius.
Astion m Late Greek, History (Ecclesiastical)Means "small city" in Greek, derived from Greek ἄστυ
(astu) or
(asty) "city, town" combined with the Greek diminutive suffix -ιων
(-ion), this is also the Georgian and Romanian form of this name... [
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Astyages m Old Median (Hellenized), Akkadian (Hellenized), HistoryHellenized form of Akkadian
Ishtovigu or
Ištovigu, from Old Median
R̥štivaigah, ultimately derived from Ancient Iranian
rishti vaiga, meaning "swinging the spear". Modified through folk etymology by Greek ἄστυ
(ásty) meaning "city" and ἄγνυμι
(ágnumi) meaning "break"... [
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Athalaric m Germanic, HistoryForm of
Adalric. This name was borne by a king of the Ostrogoths in the 6th century AD, who was a grandson of Theodoric the Great.
Attaces m HistoryAttaces (died 418 A.D.) was king of the western Alans in Hispania (the Iberian Peninsula, modern Spain and Portugal).... [
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Audata f HistoryAudata (ruled c. 359 – 336 BC) was an Illyrian princess and wife of Philip II of Macedon.
Audifax m History (Ecclesiastical)The best-known (and possibly the first) bearer of this name is saint Audifax, who was of noble descent and born in the Persian Empire. Somewhere between 268 and 270 AD, he went on a pilgrimage to Rome with his parents and brother, whose names were
Marius,
Martha and Abachum (also known as
Habakkuk)... [
more]
Audofleda f Germanic, HistoryDerived from the Germanic element
auda "wealth, property" (also see
Audovacar) combined with
flâdi "beauty, respectability." Audofleda was the wife of Theodoric the Great, a 6th-century king of the Ostrogoths.
Aufidia f Ancient Roman, HistoryFeminine form of
Aufidius. A bearer of this name was Aufidia, a daughter of the Roman magistrate Marcus Aufidius Lurco. Her own daughter, Livia Drusilla, would later become Roman Empress (as the wife of Emperor Augustus).
Aufidius m Ancient Roman, History, LiteratureFrom the Roman nomen gentile
Aufidius, which is of uncertain origin and meaning. The first element,
au, may have been derived from the Latin preverb
au "away, off", but it could also have been a phonetic variant of the Latin preverb
ab "from"... [
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