Classical Names

I haven’t blogged on names for a while, so today I’m going to write a bit about names from the classics.  For centuries, the British upper and middle classes were educated largely by studying the classical languages of Rome and Greece.  The British admired the Roman Empire, and studied its history and literature.

Particularly form the 18^th century onwards, upper class children were often given Latinate Names.   Augustus or Augusta means majestic and was a title given to Roman Emperors starting with Octavian… The name was quite common among the British upper classes and was the name of one of George III’s sons – Augustus Duke of Sussex.   His older sister was Princess Augusta.  

Another name was Claudius, which was anglicised as Claud, and the female version was Claudia. (There are also French versions such as Claudine and Claudette).

The famous writer and philosopher Marcus Aurelius was well known... and the name Aurelius means golden.  It never became popular as a male name, but the female version, Aurelia, is occasionally used. Camilla (from Camillus) has also been used at times, mostly an upper class name. 
Hortensius comes from the Latin for Garden, and Hortense is an occasionally used name.. and it was the name of Napoleon’s step daughter…

The Roman General Quintus Fabius Maximus gave his name to the Fabian socialist society.  His name was not much used in England, but Fabia occasionally was and as Fabiola, it is the name of the late Queen of Belgium.

Felix was a nickname in Rome, meaning happy or lucky, and it has been used in England, together with the feminine version of Felicity or Felicia.

Lucius comes from the word for light.  It is popular and common as Luke, and female versions include Lucy, Lucia, and Lucilla….

Marcus probably derives from the Roman god of War, Mars.. and has become quite common.  The female versions are Marcia, or Marcella.  Another male version is Mark.

As the British also studied the Greek classics and history, Greek names came into English naming.

Alexander is one which has become very popular in Europe and means Defender of the people.  The best known bearer of the name was Alexander the Great. 

Andrew, with the female version Andrea, means “manly” and is the name of the patron saint of Scotland.

Chloe which means green shoot, was a very popular girls name in recent years. Daphne has also been very popular and means Laurel….

Theodore means “gift of God”.  Its feminine version is Theodora which has never been much used.  However, the reversed version of the name is Dorothea or Dorothy, which has been extremely popular.
George means farmer and is the patron saint of England.. it has several female versions, such as Georgina, Georgette and latterly Georgia.

Philip means “lover of horses” and has the female version Philippa.. sometimes shorted to Phil or Pippa.

 Just a few names, here among the many.  I hope to return to this some other day…