21 Roman Baby Boy Names With Ancient Appeal

Virgil’s Aeneid is one of the foundational myths of Rome. The story goes that Aeneas set off on a journey not dissimilar to Odysseus’s, where he meets love interests (Dido), shrieking harpies, self-doubt, saboteurs, all of which he leaves behind to go on found the city of Rome. The name itself means “praiseworthy” or “commendable.”

This name was the 31st most popular boy’s name in 2021 and it’s easy to see why: super cute, easy to say, and easy to spell (the little Leos I know are very proud to share that their name is spelled L-E-O.) But you might not know that it has Latin roots: Leo is Latin for “lion.” Perfect for a strong but loving little boy!

This name sound positively regal and it’s easy to see why: it comes from the Latin word for “venerable.” Caesar Augustus was probably the most famous emperor of the Roman Empire. The name lends itself to lots of cute nicknames: August or Auggie both sound adorable.

If you choose this name, you really might have the happiest baby on the block: it’s the Latin word for “happy” and “lucky.” A bunch of lovely words come from its root, including felicity, felicitations. And he’s also a minor character in Roman mythology: Felix was one of the four sons of Saturn and Entoria.

This awesome name comes from the Latin word “claudo” which means “to close, shut, or block up.” One meaning of Claudius is “enclosure.” Yes, this name may have belonged to a less-than-beloved emperor but that shouldn’t stop you from choosing this unusual and elegant name. Claude also makes a great nickname.

This name is shared by one of the most famous Roman emperors: Marcus Aurelius. The name in Latin means “dedicated to Mars”— who famously was the god of war, but also considered more level-headed than his Greek counterpart Ares. It is a cute choice and lends itself easily to the nickname Marc or Marco.

For people with kids, this name might be less less associated with the Romans now and more with the Kevin Henkes’s book Julius, Baby of the World. It’s a wonderful book, and you’re sure to get several copies at a little Julius’s first birthday party. The name has an awesome meaning: youthful, or downy-bearded. Whether it’s the Henke’s book or the Shakespeare play, a little Julius will have lots of opportunities to see himself in literature.

Cassisus is a great name, though you probably don’t want to have brothers named both Julius and Cassius (Cassius was the leader of the plot to assassinate Julius Caesar). The name comes from the Latin word “cassus” meaning “empty or hollow.” There were also some people named Cassius who stayed far away from assassinations: Dio Cassius was a famous Roman historian and Cassius Clay was both an abolitionist and the birth name of Muhammed Ali.

Evander is a name with deep roots: in Roman mythology: Evander founded the city that preceded Rome, and was the son of the god Hermes. And anyone hopes his or her son will live up to this name’s meaning: it means, simply, “good man.”

The Latin word “lux,” meaning “light” or “bright,” is the root of so many great names: Lucius or Lucian are just two of them (the female names Luciana and Lucille come from the same root). This name is perfect for a little boy who is sure to be the light of your life.

Any Ulysses is likely to see lots of his name throughout his entire education: Ulysses is the name of the Roman equivalent of Odysseus: the explorer who traveled for 20 long years before returning to his homeland. It’s also the name of a president (Ulysses S. Grant) and the James Joyce novel that few have finished but many have started). The name means “wrathful.”

Your kid may face a few “Hail!” and salad jokes, but it doesn’t get more classic than this name. If you want to, you could spell and pronounce the name Italian way, Cesare (pronounced “Che-sa-ray”). The name means “thick head of hair” — particularly funny for a bald baby.

Apollo is one of the rare deities whose name is the same in both the Greek and Roman traditions — maybe because the Roman’s couldn’t top how cool this name is. And Apollo is also an amazing god: among other things, he’s the god of light, the sun, medicine, knowledge, and architecture. Maybe you can skip the terrible two’s if you choose this name too: he’s also the god of “harmony, reason, and moderation.”

Doesn’t get much more Roman than this. This name has Latin origins from the word “Romanus” which means “of Rome.” It also has a French meaning: novel, hence the phrase “roman a clef.” This name has been rising in popularity in recent years: it cracked the top 100 most popular names in 2016, and came in at number 75 in 2021.

This name is best known as being the name of a Persian emperor (Cyrus the Great, who ruled between 590-529 BC), but it also has Latin roots: the word “cyrus” means “sun.” A lovely choice for a little boy who is sure to light up your life.

In one mythological version of the founding of Rome, twin boys named Romulus and Remus were briefly raised by a wolf, then, as adults, fought over where the city that would eventually bear one of their names would be (Rome’s name gives you a clue of who won). The name means “oar” in Latin.

This Latin name means “fiery” or “ardent” — so if you choose this name, be prepared for some strong opinions. The name is most associated with Ignatius of Loyola, a Spanish priest who founded the Jesuits, a branch of Catholicism that emphasized missionary work and education. It’s an unusual and cool choice that lends itself to the awesome nickname “Iggy.”

In the third century BC, Cyprian was a saint born in what we now refer to as Roman Africa. He is well known for his powerful writing. The name has some similarities with some more popular names like Cyrus, but with a unique twist. It might be just right for a little boy who isn’t afraid to stand out from the crowd.

This name has a wonderful meaning: “the golden one.” It could be an extra-cute choice for a blonde little boy (though that’s usually hard to tell when they’re babies). Marcus Aurelius was both a philosopher and the fifth of the “good emperors.” He has lots of famous quotes, including this one: “If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.”

Like Marcus, this name is connected to the god Mars, meaning both “manly” and “dedicated to Mars.” As musical theater fans know, it’s also a character in Les Mis. It’s never been in the top thousand names since 1900 so it’s an unusual choice that doesn’t feel too “out there.”

This name is by far the most associated with the father in To Kill A Mockingbird, but it actually has Roman roots, coming from the Latin meaning “of Attica” or “Athenian.” This name has seen a steep rise in popularity, starting in 2004.