Gender Feminine
Meaning & History
From the English word for the mauvish-crimson colour. The word for the color came after the Battle of Magenta in 1859 (the town is situated in Lombardy) in honor of the Franco-Italian victory against the Austrian forces, which is possibly in reference to the colour of the uniforms worn by the Zouave troops, replacing roseine. The Lombard town itself derives from Latin castrum Maxentiae "castle of Maxentius".The name may have risen in popularity after Magenta, who was a character in the musical play and movie 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show.' She was a domestic maid played by Patricia Quinn. A famous real bearer of the name is Australian politician Magenta Marshall (b. 1994).