Ancient Names

These names were used in various ancient regions.
gender
usage
Čĭstiradŭ m Old Slavic (Hypothetical)
Proto-Slavic reconstruction of Ctirad.
Claudia f English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Italian, Spanish, Romanian, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Claudius. It is mentioned briefly in the New Testament. As a Christian name it was very rare until the 16th century.
Claudius m Ancient Roman
From a Roman family name that was possibly derived from Latin claudus meaning "lame, crippled". This was the name of a patrician family prominent in Roman politics. The ancestor of the family was said to have been a 6th-century BC Sabine leader named Attius Clausus, who adopted the name Appius Claudius upon becoming a Roman citizen. The family produced several Roman emperors of the 1st century, including the emperor known simply as Claudius (birth name Tiberius Claudius Nero Germanicus). He was poisoned by his wife Agrippina in order to bring her son Nero (Claudius's stepson) to power.... [more]
Cleisthenes m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Κλεισθένης (Kleisthenes), derived from κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory" and σθένος (sthenos) meaning "strength". This was the name of a 5th-century BC Athenian statesman and reformer. He helped establish democracy in Athens.
Cleon m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Κλέων (Kleon), a Greek name derived from κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory".
Cleopatra f Ancient Greek (Latinized)
From the Greek name Κλεοπάτρα (Kleopatra) meaning "glory of the father", derived from κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory" combined with πατήρ (pater) meaning "father" (genitive πατρός). This was the name of queens of Egypt from the Ptolemaic royal family, including Cleopatra VII, the mistress of both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. After being defeated by Augustus she committed suicide (according to popular belief, by allowing herself to be bitten by a venomous asp). Shakespeare's tragedy Antony and Cleopatra (1606) tells the story of her life.
Clodovicus m Germanic (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Germanic name Hludwig (see Ludwig).
Cloelia f Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Cloelius. In Roman legend Cloelia was a maiden who was given to an Etruscan invader as a hostage. She managed to escape by swimming across the Tiber, at the same time helping some of the other captives to safety.
Cloelius m Ancient Roman
Roman family name of unknown meaning.
Clothildis f Germanic (Latinized)
Medieval Latin form of Chrodechildis and Chlodechilda (see Clotilde).
Cnaeus m Ancient Roman
Roman variant of Gnaeus.
Cóem m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Caomh.
Cóemán m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Caomhán.
Cóemgein m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Kevin.
Cola m Anglo-Saxon
Old English byname meaning "charcoal", originally given to a person with dark features.
Colmán m Irish, Old Irish
Diminutive of Colm (see Colum). This was the name of a large number of Irish saints.
Colobert m Germanic
Old German name composed of (possibly) the element kollo meaning "head, peak" and beraht meaning "bright".
Colum m Irish, Old Irish
Irish form of Columba. The Old Irish word columb or colum also means "dove", derived from Latin columba.
Columb m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Columba.
Columbán m Old Irish
Possibly an Irish diminutive of Columba. Alternatively, it may be derived from Old Irish colum "dove" and bán "white". The 7th-century Saint Columbán of Leinster was the founder of several monasteries in Europe.
Comgall m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Comhghall.
Conall m Irish, Old Irish, Irish Mythology
Means "rule of a wolf", from Old Irish "hound, dog, wolf" (genitive con) and fal "rule". This is the name of several characters in Irish legend including the hero Conall Cernach ("Conall of the victories"), a member of the Red Branch of Ulster, who avenged Cúchulainn's death by killing Lugaid.
Conán m Irish, Old Irish
Irish Gaelic form of Conan.
Conchobar m Old Irish, Irish Mythology
Derived from Old Irish "hound, dog, wolf" (genitive con) and cobar "desiring". It has been in use in Ireland for centuries and was the name of several Irish rulers. It was borne by the Ulster king Conchobar mac Nessa, one of the central characters in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, known for his tragic desire for Deirdre and his war with Queen Medb of Connacht.
Conláed m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Conleth.
Conn m Irish, Irish Mythology, Old Irish
Perhaps from Old Irish conn meaning "sense, reason" or cenn meaning "head, chief". This was the name of a legendary high king of Ireland, Conn of the Hundred Battles.
Conrad m English, German, Germanic
Means "brave counsel", derived from the Old German elements kuoni "brave" and rat "counsel, advice". This was the name of a 10th-century saint and bishop of Konstanz, in southern Germany. It was also borne by several medieval German kings and dukes, notably Conrad II, the first of the Holy Roman Emperors from the Salic dynasty. In England it was occasionally used during the Middle Ages, but has only been common since the 19th century when it was reintroduced from Germany.
Conrí m Old Irish
Means "king of hounds" in Irish.
Corinna f German, Italian, English, Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Κόριννα (Korinna), which was derived from κόρη (kore) meaning "maiden". This was the name of a Greek lyric poet of the 5th century BC. The Roman poet Ovid used it for the main female character in his book Amores. In the modern era it has been in use since the 17th century, when Robert Herrick used it in his poem Corinna's going a-Maying.
Corinthia f Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Greek Κορινθία (Korinthia) meaning "woman from Corinth", an ancient Greek city-state. This is the real name of Corrie in William Faulkner's novel The Reivers (1962).
Cornelia f German, Romanian, Italian, Dutch, English, Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Cornelius. In the 2nd century BC it was borne by Cornelia Scipionis Africana (the daughter of the military hero Scipio Africanus), the mother of the two reformers known as the Gracchi. After her death she was regarded as an example of the ideal Roman woman. The name was revived in the 18th century.
Cornelius m Ancient Roman, English, Dutch, German, Biblical
Roman family name that possibly derives from the Latin element cornu meaning "horn". In Acts in the New Testament Cornelius is a centurion who is directed by an angel to seek Peter. After speaking with Peter he converts to Christianity, and he is traditionally deemed the first gentile convert. The name was also borne by a few early saints, including a 3rd-century pope. In England it came into use in the 16th century, partly due to Dutch influence.
Cosmas m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
From the Greek name Κοσμᾶς (Kosmas), which was derived from κόσμος (kosmos) meaning "order, world, universe". Saint Cosmas was martyred with his twin brother Damian in the 4th century. They are the patron saints of physicians.
Crispus m Ancient Roman
Roman cognomen meaning "curly-haired" in Latin.
Cúán m Old Irish
Means "little wolf" or "little hound" from Old Irish meaning "wolf, hound" combined with a diminutive suffix. This was the name of an 8th-century saint.
Cuimín m Old Irish
Probably from Old Irish camm meaning "bent, crooked". This was the name of a 6th-century Irish saint.
Cunigund f Germanic
Old German form of Kunigunde.
Cunobelinos m Brythonic (Hypothetical)
Possible Brythonic form of Cunobelinus.
Cunobelinus m Brythonic (Latinized)
Latinized form of a Brythonic name, possibly from old Celtic * "dog, hound" (genitive *kunos) combined with either the name of the god Belenus or another Celtic root meaning "strong". This was the name of a 1st-century king of southeastern Britain. He is known from Roman historians such as Suetonius and medieval Welsh histories, as well as from coins bearing his name.
Cuthberht m Anglo-Saxon
Old English form of Cuthbert.
Cynebald m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from Old English cyne "royal" and beald "bold, brave".
Cyneberht m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements cyne "royal" and beorht "bright".
Cyneburg f Anglo-Saxon
Means "royal fortress" from Old English cyne "royal" and burg "fortress". Saint Cyneburga, a daughter of a king of Mercia, was the founder of an abbey at Castor in the 7th century.
Cynefrið m Anglo-Saxon
Means "royal peace" from Old English cyne "royal" and friþ "peace".
Cyneheard m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from Old English cyne "royal" and heard "hard, firm, brave, hardy".
Cynemær m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from Old English cyne "royal" and mære "famous".
Cyneric m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from Old English cyne "royal" and ric "ruler, king".
Cynesige m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from Old English cyne "royal" and sige "victory".
Cyneswiþ f Anglo-Saxon
From Old English cyne "royal" and swiþ "strong". Saint Cyneswitha was a younger sister of Saint Cyneburg.
Cyneweard m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from Old English cyne "royal" and weard "guard".
Cynwrig m Old Welsh
Derived from Old Welsh cynt meaning "first, chief" and gur meaning "man", plus the suffix ig indicating "has the quality of".
Cyprianus m Ancient Roman
Original Latin form of Cyprian.
Cyrus m English, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Old Persian (Latinized)
Latin form of Greek Κῦρος (Kyros), from the Old Persian name 𐎤𐎢𐎽𐎢𐏁 (Kuruš), possibly meaning "young" or "humiliator (of the enemy)". Alternatively it could be of Elamite origin. The name has sometimes been associated with Greek κύριος (kyrios) meaning "lord".... [more]
Dagfinnr m Old Norse
Old Norse form of Dagfinn.
Dagmær f Old Norse
Old Norse form of Dagmar.
Dagný f Old Norse, Icelandic
Old Norse and Icelandic form of Dagny.
Dagobert m Germanic, German
Means "bright day", derived from Old Frankish dag or Old High German tag meaning "day" combined with Old Frankish berht or Old High German beraht meaning "bright". This was the name of a 7th-century Merovingian king of the Franks.... [more]
Dagr m Old Norse
Old Norse form of Dag.
Dagrún f Old Norse, Icelandic
Old Norse and Icelandic form of Dagrun.
Dálach m Old Irish
Derived from Old Irish dál meaning "assembly, meeting".
Daliborŭ m Old Slavic (Hypothetical)
Proto-Slavic reconstruction of Dalibor.
Dalimilŭ m Old Slavic (Hypothetical)
Proto-Slavic reconstruction of Dalimil.
Damán m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Damhán.
Damianos m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Damian.
Damnat f Old Irish
Old Irish form of Damhnait.
Danr m Old Norse
Old Norse form of Dan 3.
Darayavaush m Old Persian
Old Persian form of Darius.
Darius m English, Lithuanian, Romanian, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Old Persian (Latinized)
Latin form of Greek Δαρεῖος (Dareios), from the Old Persian name 𐎭𐎠𐎼𐎹𐎢𐏁 (Darayauš), shortened from 𐎭𐎠𐎼𐎹𐎺𐎢𐏁 (Darayavauš). It means "possessing goodness", composed of 𐎭𐎠𐎼𐎹 (daraya) meaning "to possess, to hold" and 𐎺𐎢 (vau) meaning "good". Three ancient kings of Persia bore this name, including Darius the Great who expanded the Achaemenid Empire to its greatest extent. His forces invaded Greece but were defeated in the Battle of Marathon.... [more]
Decima f Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Decimus.
Decimus m Ancient Roman
Roman praenomen, or given name, meaning "tenth" in Latin.
Declán m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Declan.
Demetrios m Ancient Greek, Greek
Ancient Greek form of Demetrius, as well as an alternate transcription of the Modern Greek form Dimitrios.
Demetrius m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Δημήτριος (Demetrios), which was derived from the name of the Greek goddess Demeter 1. Kings of Macedon and the Seleucid kingdom have had this name. This was also the name of several early saints including Demetrius of Thessalonica, a martyr of the 4th century who is regarded as a warrior.
Democritus m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Δημόκριτος (Demokritos), a Greek name meaning "judge of the people" from the elements δῆμος (demos) meaning "the people" and κριτής (krites) meaning "judge, critic". This was the name of a Greek philosopher, the creator of the atomic theory.
Demon m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek name derived from δῆμος (demos) meaning "the people".
Demophon m Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Derived from Greek δῆμος (demos) meaning "the people" and φωνή (phone) meaning "voice". In Greek mythology this was the name of the son of Theseus and Phaedra.
Demosthenes m Ancient Greek
Means "vigour of the people" from Greek δῆμος (demos) meaning "the people" and σθένος (sthenos) meaning "vigour, strength". This was the name of both an Athenian general of the 5th century and an Athenian orator of the 4th century.
Demostrate f Ancient Greek
Means "army of the people", derived from the Greek elements δῆμος (demos) meaning "the people" and στρατός (stratos) meaning "army".
Deorwine m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements deore "dear" and wine "friend".
Derbáil f Old Irish
Old Irish form of Dearbháil.
Derbiled f Old Irish
Old Irish form of Deirbhile.
Diadumenianus m Ancient Roman
Original Latin form of Diadumenian.
Diodorus m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Διόδωρος (Diodoros) meaning "gift of Zeus", derived from the elements Διός (Dios) meaning "of Zeus" and δῶρον (doron) meaning "gift". This was the name of a 1st-century BC Greek historian.
Diodotus m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Διόδοτος (Diodotos), a Greek name meaning "given by Zeus" from Διός (Dios) meaning "of Zeus" and δοτός (dotos) meaning "given".
Diogenes m Ancient Greek
Means "born of Zeus" from Greek Διός (Dios) meaning "of Zeus" and γενής (genes) meaning "born". This was the name of a Greek Cynic philosopher.
Diokles m Ancient Greek
Means "glory of Zeus" from Greek Διός (Dios) meaning "of Zeus" and κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory".
Dion m Ancient Greek, English
Derived from the Greek element Διός (Dios) meaning "of Zeus". This was the name of a 4th-century BC tyrant of Syracuse. It has been used as an American given name since the middle of the 20th century.
Dionysios m Greek, Ancient Greek
Greek personal name derived from the name of the Greek god Dionysos. Famous bearers include two early tyrants of Syracuse and a 1st-century BC Greek rhetorician.
Dionysius m Ancient Greek (Latinized), Biblical
Latin form of Dionysios. Dionysius the Areopagite, who is mentioned in the New Testament, was a judge converted to Christianity by Saint Paul. This was also the name of many other early saints, including a 3rd-century pope.
Dionysodoros m Ancient Greek
Means "gift of Dionysos" from the name of the god Dionysos combined with Greek δῶρον (doron) meaning "gift".
Djedefre m Ancient Egyptian
From Egyptian ḏd-f-rꜥ meaning "his stability is Ra", from ḏd "stability" combined with the name of the god Ra. This was the name of a pharaoh of the 4th dynasty of the Old Kingdom (26th century BC), a son of Khufu. His name was also written with the hieroglyphs in reverse order, as Radjedef.
Djehutimesu m Ancient Egyptian (Hypothetical)
Reconstructed Egyptian form of Thutmose.
Djoser m Ancient Egyptian
From Egyptian ḏsr meaning "splendour, glory". This was the name of the founding pharaoh of the 3rd dynasty of Egypt's Old Kingdom (27th century BC).
Dobrogostŭ m Old Slavic (Hypothetical)
Proto-Slavic reconstruction of Dobrogost.
Dobromilŭ m Old Slavic (Hypothetical)
Proto-Slavic reconstruction of Dobromil.
Dobroslavŭ m Old Slavic (Hypothetical)
Proto-Slavic reconstruction of Dobroslav.
Domitia f Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Domitius.
Domitilla f Italian, Ancient Roman
Feminine diminutive of the Roman family name Domitius. This was the name of the wife of the Roman emperor Vespasian and the mother of emperors Titus and Domitian.
Domitius m Ancient Roman
Roman family name that was probably derived from Latin domitus meaning "having been tamed".
Domnall m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Domhnall (see Donald).
Donnchad m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Donnchadh (see Duncan).
Donndubán m Old Irish
Composed of the Old Irish element donn "brown" combined with dub "dark" and a diminutive suffix.
Dorgomirŭ m Old Slavic (Hypothetical)
Proto-Slavic reconstruction of Dragomir.
Dorgoslavŭ m Old Slavic (Hypothetical)
Proto-Slavic reconstruction of Dragoslav.
Doris f English, German, Swedish, Danish, Croatian, Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
From the Greek name Δωρίς (Doris), which meant "Dorian woman". The Dorians were a Greek tribe who occupied the Peloponnese starting in the 12th century BC. In Greek mythology Doris was a sea nymph, one of the many children of Oceanus and Tethys. It began to be used as an English name in the 19th century. A famous bearer is the American actress Doris Day (1924-2019).
Dorothea f German, Dutch, English, Ancient Greek
Feminine form of the Greek name Δωρόθεος (Dorotheos), which meant "gift of god" from Greek δῶρον (doron) meaning "gift" and θεός (theos) meaning "god". The name Theodore is composed of the same elements in reverse order. Dorothea was the name of two early saints, notably the 4th-century martyr Dorothea of Caesarea. It was also borne by the 14th-century Saint Dorothea of Montau, who was the patron saint of Prussia.
Dorotheos m Greek, Ancient Greek
Greek masculine form of Dorothea. This name was borne by a few early saints.
Dositheos m Ancient Greek
From Greek δόσις (dosis) meaning "giving" and θεός (theos) meaning "god".
Draco m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
From the Greek name Δράκων (Drakon), which meant "dragon, serpent". This was the name of a 7th-century BC Athenian legislator. This is also the name of a constellation in the northern sky.
Drakon m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Draco.
Drest m Pictish
Variant of Drust.
Drusa f Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Drusus.
Drusilla f Biblical, Ancient Roman, Biblical Latin
Feminine diminutive of the Roman family name Drusus. In Acts in the New Testament Drusilla is the wife of Felix.
Drust m Pictish
Pictish name probably derived from the old Celtic root *trusto- meaning "noise, tumult". This name was borne by several kings of the Picts, including their last king Drust X, who ruled in the 9th century.
Drustan m Pictish
Diminutive of Drust. This name was borne by a 7th-century Irish saint who was active among the Picts in Scotland.
Drusus m Ancient Roman
Roman family name, also sometimes used as a praenomen, or given name, by the Claudia family. Apparently the name was first assumed by a Roman warrior who killed a Gallic chieftain named Drausus in single combat. Drausus possibly derives from a Celtic element meaning "strong".
Dubán m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Dubhán.
Dubgall m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Dubhghall (see Dougal).
Dubhshláine m Old Irish
Derived from Old Irish dub "dark, black" and either slán "challenge, defiance" or Sláine, the Irish name of the River Slaney.
Dubthach m Old Irish
Old Irish name derived from dub "dark, black" in combination with a second element of unknown meaning. This was the name of a 6th-century saint, a bishop of Armagh. It also appears in Irish legend as a companion of Fergus mac Róich.
Dudda m Anglo-Saxon
Old English byname possibly meaning "round".
Duilius m Ancient Roman
Latin form of Duilio.
Dumnorix m Gaulish
Means "king of the world" from Gaulish dumnos "world" and rix "king". This was the name of a 1st-century BC chief of the Gaulish tribe the Aedui.
Dunstan m English (Rare), Anglo-Saxon
From the Old English elements dunn "dark" and stan "stone". This name was borne by a 10th-century saint, the archbishop of Canterbury. It was occasionally used in the Middle Ages, though it died out after the 16th century. It was revived by the Tractarian movement in the 19th century.
Eadberht m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements ead "wealth, fortune" and beorht "bright". This was the name of an 8th-century king of Northumbria and three kings of Kent.
Eadburg f Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements ead "wealth, fortune" and burg "fortress".
Eadgar m Anglo-Saxon
Old English form of Edgar.
Eadgifu f Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements ead "wealth, fortune" and giefu "gift".
Eadgyð f Anglo-Saxon
Old English form of Edith.
Eadmund m Anglo-Saxon
Old English form of Edmund.
Eadric m Anglo-Saxon
Old English form of Edric.
Eadwald m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements ead "wealth, fortune" and weald "powerful, mighty". This was the name of an 8th-century king of East Anglia.
Eadweard m Anglo-Saxon
Old English form of Edward.
Eadwig m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements ead "wealth, fortune" and wig "war". This was the name of a Saxon king of England in the 10th century. The name fell out of use after the Norman Conquest.
Eadwine m Anglo-Saxon
Old English form of Edwin.
Eadwulf m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements ead "wealth, fortune" and wulf "wolf". This name fell out of use after the Norman Conquest.
Ealdberht m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements eald "old" and beorht "bright".
Ealdgyð f Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements eald "old" and guð "battle" (a cognate of Old German Aldegund).
Ealdhelm m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements eald "old" and helm "helmet, protection". This was the name of a 7th-century English saint (commonly called Aldhelm).
Ealdræd m Anglo-Saxon
From the Old English elements eald "old" and ræd "counsel, advice". This name was rarely used after the Norman Conquest.
Ealdwine m Anglo-Saxon
From the Old English elements eald "old" and wine "friend". This name was rarely used after the Norman Conquest.
Ealhhere m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements ealh "temple" and here "army".
Ealhstan m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English element ealh "temple" combined with stan "stone".
Ealhswiþ f Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English element ealh "temple" combined with swiþ "strong". This was the name of the 9th-century wife of Alfred the Great.
Eardwulf m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English element eard "land" combined with wulf "wolf".
Eastmund m Anglo-Saxon
Old English form of Esmond.
Eberhard m German, Germanic
Old German name meaning "brave boar", derived from the elements ebur "wild boar" and hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy". This name was borne by an influential 9th-century Duke of Friuli. It was also the name of a 12th-century German saint, an archbishop of Salzburg.
Eberwin m Germanic
Derived from the Old German elements ebur "boar" and wini "friend".
Ecgberht m Anglo-Saxon
Old English form of Egbert.
Echdonn m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Eachann.
Echthigern m Old Irish
Means "horse lord" from Old Irish ech "horse" and tigerna "lord".
Edda 2 f Icelandic, Old Norse
Possibly from Old Norse meaning "great-grandmother". This was the name of two 13th-century Icelandic literary works: the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda. This is also the name of a character in the Poetic Edda, though it is unclear if her name is connected to the name of the collection.
Egilhard m Germanic
Old German name derived from the elements agil "edge, blade" and hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy". Usually called Eilhart, this was a medieval German poet who wrote an early version of the Tristan and Iseult tale.
Egill m Old Norse, Icelandic
Old Norse and Icelandic form of Egil.
Egilmar m Germanic
Derived from the Old German elements agil "edge, blade" and mari "famous". Egilmar (or Elimar) was the name of two counts of Oldenburg in the 12th century.
Egino m Germanic
Old German form of Egon.
Egnatius m Ancient Roman
Earlier form of Ignatius.
Eileifr m Old Norse
Old Norse form of Elof.
Einarr m Old Norse
Old Norse form of Einar.
Eindriði m Old Norse
Old Norse form of Eindride.
Eirene f Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Irene.
Eiríkr m Old Norse
Old Norse form of Eric.
Eithne f Irish, Irish Mythology, Old Irish
Possibly from Old Irish etne meaning "kernel, grain". In Irish mythology Eithne or Ethniu was a Fomorian and the mother of Lugh Lámfada. It was borne by several other legendary and historical figures, including a few early saints.
Ekkebert m Germanic
From the Old German elements ekka "edge, blade" and beraht "bright". This is a cognate of the English name Egbert.
Ekkehard m German, Germanic
Derived from the Old German elements ekka "edge, blade" and hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy". Eckhart von Hochheim was a 13th-century Dominican friar, philosopher and mystic who was accused of heresy during the Inquisition.
Eleutherios m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Eleutherius.
Eleutherius m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Ἐλευθέριος (Eleutherios), which meant "free". This was the name of a 2nd-century pope, as well as several saints.
Elisedd m Old Welsh
Derived from Welsh elus meaning "kind, benevolent". This was the name of two kings of Powys in Wales.
Ellanher m Germanic
Old German name composed of the elements ellan "courage" and heri "army".
Elpis f Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Means "hope" in Greek. In Greek mythology Elpis was the personification of hope. She was the last spirit to remain in the jar after Pandora unleashed the evils that were in it.
Emma f English, French, Italian, Spanish, Catalan, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Finnish, Latvian, Dutch, German, Hungarian, Germanic
Originally a short form of Germanic names that began with the element irmin meaning "whole" or "great" (Proto-Germanic *ermunaz). It was introduced to England by Emma of Normandy, who was the wife both of King Ethelred II (and by him the mother of Edward the Confessor) and later of King Canute. It was also borne by an 11th-century Austrian saint, who is sometimes called Hemma.... [more]
Emmerich m German, Germanic
Germanic name, in which the second element is rih "ruler, king". The first element may be irmin "whole, great" (making it a relative of Ermenrich), amal "unceasing, vigorous, brave" (making it a relative of Amalric) or heim "home" (making it a relative of Henry). It is likely that several forms merged into a single name.
Engel m & f Germanic, German (Rare)
Originally this may have been a short form of Germanic names beginning with the element angil, referring to the Germanic tribe known in English as the Angles. However, from early times it has been strongly associated with the Old German word engil meaning "angel" (of Latin and Greek origin).
Engelbert m German, Germanic
Old German name composed of either the element angil, from the name of the Germanic tribe of the Angles, or engil meaning "angel" combined with beraht meaning "bright". Saint Engelbert was a 13th-century archbishop of Cologne murdered by assassins.
Engilram m Germanic
Old German form of Ingram.
Enheduanna f Sumerian
From Sumerian En-hedu-anna, derived from 𒂗 (en) meaning "lady, high priestess" combined with 𒃶𒌌 (hedu) meaning "ornament" and the god's name An 2. This was the Sumerian title of a 23rd-century BC priestess and poet, identified as a daughter of Sargon of Akkad. Presumably she had an Akkadian birth name, but it is unrecorded. She is regarded as one of the earliest known poets.
Énna m Old Irish
Possibly from Old Irish én meaning "bird". This was the name of several Irish kings and heroes. It was also borne by a 6th-century saint who built the monastery of Killeany on Aran.
Énnae m Old Irish
Variant of Énna.
Enniaun m Old Welsh
Old Welsh form of Einion.
Ennius m Ancient Roman
Original Latin form of Ennio.
Eochaid m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Eochaidh.
Eoforheard m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements eofor "boar" and heard "hard, firm, brave, hardy". This is a cognate of Eberhard.
Eoforhild f Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements eofor "boar" and hild "battle". This name was rarely used after the Norman Conquest.
Eoforwine m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements eofor "boar" and wine "friend" (a cognate of Eberwin). This name was rarely used after the Norman Conquest.
Eógan m Old Irish, Irish Mythology
Old Irish form of Eoghan.
Eormenhild f Anglo-Saxon
From the Old English elements eormen "whole, great" and hild "battle". This was the name of a 7th-century saint, a daughter of King Eorcenberht of Kent.
Epaphras m Biblical, Biblical Greek, Biblical Latin, Ancient Greek
Shortened form of Epaphroditos. In the New Testament this is the name of one of Paul's co-workers.
Epaphroditos m Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek
Means "lovely, charming", derived from Greek ἐπί (epi) meaning "on" combined with the name of the Greek love goddess Aphrodite. It appears in the epistle to the Philippians in the New Testament (as Epaphroditus, the Latinized form, in the English version).
Epicurus m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Ἐπίκουρος (Epikouros), derived from a word meaning "helper, ally". Epicurus was a 3rd-century BC Greek philosopher who founded the school of philosophy called Epicureanism.
Epiktetos m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek name meaning "newly acquired". This was the name of a 1st-century Greek stoic philosopher.
Epiphanes m Ancient Greek
Means "appearing, manifesting" in Greek. This was an epithet of two 2nd-century BC Hellenistic rulers: the Seleucid king Antiochus IV and the Ptolemaic king Ptolemy V.
Epiphanius m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Epiphanios (see Epifanio).
Epponina f Gaulish (Latinized)
Probably related to the name of the goddess Epona. Epponina was the virtuous wife of the 1st-century Gallo-Roman rebel Julius Sabinus.
Eratosthenes m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek ἐρατός (eratos) meaning "lovely" and σθένος (sthenos) meaning "vigour, strength". A notable bearer was the Greek scientist Eratosthenes of Cyrene (3rd century BC), the first person to calculate the circumference of the Earth.
Ercanbald m Germanic
Old German form of Archibald.
Erhard m German, Germanic
Derived from the Old German element era "honour, respect" combined with hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy". Saint Erhard was a 7th-century bishop of Regensburg in Bavaria.
Erlendr m Old Norse
Old Norse form of Erland.
Erlingr m Old Norse
Old Norse form of Erling.
Ermelinde f Germanic
Derived from the Old German elements irmin "whole, great" and lind "soft, flexible, tender". This was the name of a 6th-century Frankish saint from Meldert, Flanders.
Ermendrud f Germanic
Derived from the Old German elements irmin "whole, great" and drud "strength". This was the name of the wife of the Frankish king Charles the Bald (9th century).
Ermengard f Germanic
Derived from the Old German elements irmin meaning "whole, great" and gart meaning "enclosure, yard". This name was borne by the wife of the Frankish king Louis the Pious (9th century). This was also the name of one of her granddaughters, an abbess of Frauenwörth who is regarded as a saint.
Ermenrich m Germanic
From the Gothic name *Airmanareiks, from the elements airmans "great, immense" and reiks "ruler, king". Ermenrich (also often called Ermanaric) was a 4th-century Gothic king.
Ermentrud f Germanic
Variant form of Ermendrud.
Erminhilt f Germanic
Old German form of Irmhild.
Erminigild m Germanic
Old German form of Hermenegildo.
Erminlinda f Germanic
Old German variant of Ermelinde.
Ernust m Germanic
Old German form of Ernest.
Erwin m German, Dutch, Polish, Germanic
Derived from the Old German name Hariwini, composed of the elements heri "army" and wini "friend". It may have merged somewhat with the name Eberwin. A notable bearer was Erwin Schrödinger (1887-1961), an Austrian physicist who made contributions to quantum theory.
Étaín f Irish, Irish Mythology, Old Irish
Possibly derived from Old Irish ét meaning "jealousy, passion". In Irish legend she is the subject of the 9th-century tale The Wooing of Étaín. She was the wife of Midir, but his jealous first wife Fuamnach transformed her into a fly. She was accidentally swallowed, and then reborn to the woman who swallowed her. After she grew again to adulthood she married the Irish high king Eochaid Airem, having no memory of Midir. Midir and Étaín were eventually reunited after Midir defeated Eochaid in a game of chess.... [more]
Euanthe f Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Derived from Greek εὐανθής (euanthes) meaning "blooming, flowery", a derivative of εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and ἄνθος (anthos) meaning "flower". According to some sources, this was the name of the mother of the three Graces or Χάριτες (Charites) in Greek mythology.
Euclid m Ancient Greek (Anglicized)
From the Greek name Εὐκλείδης (Eukleides), derived from Greek εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory" with the patronymic suffix ἴδης (ides). This was the name of a 3rd-century BC Greek mathematician from Alexandria who made numerous contributions to geometry.
Eudocia f Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Εὐδοκία (Eudokia), derived from the word εὐδοκέω (eudokeo) meaning "to be well pleased, to be satisfied", itself derived from εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and δοκέω (dokeo) meaning "to think, to imagine, to suppose". This name was common among Byzantine royalty. Saint Eudocia was the wife of the 5th-century emperor Theodosius II.
Eudokia f Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Eudocia.
Eudokimos m Ancient Greek
From Greek εὐδόκιμος (eudokimos) meaning "in good repute, honoured", itself from εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and δόκιμος (dokimos) meaning "approved, esteemed".
Eudoxia f Ancient Greek
From Greek εὐδοξία (eudoxia) meaning "good repute, good judgement", itself from εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and δόξα (doxa) meaning "notion, reputation, honour".
Eudoxos m Ancient Greek
From Greek εὔδοξος (eudoxos) meaning "of good repute, honoured", itself from εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and δόξα (doxa) meaning "notion, reputation, honour". This was the name of a 4th-century BC Greek mathematician and astronomer.
Eugeneia f Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek feminine form of Eugene.
Eugenia f Italian, Spanish, Romanian, Polish, English, Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Feminine form of Eugenius (see Eugene). It was borne by a semi-legendary 3rd-century saint who escaped persecution by disguising herself as a man. The name was occasionally found in England during the Middle Ages, but it was not regularly used until the 19th century.
Eugenios m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Eugene.
Eugenius m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Eugenios (see Eugene).
Eugraphios m Ancient Greek
From Greek εὐγραφής (eugraphes) meaning "well-drawn" or "well-written", itself from εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and γραφή (graphe) meaning "drawing, writing". Saint Eugraphios or Eugraphos was a 3rd or 4th-century martyr from Alexandria.
Eulalia f Spanish, Italian, Polish, English, Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek εὔλαλος (eulalos) meaning "sweetly-speaking", itself from εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and λαλέω (laleo) meaning "to talk". This was the name of an early 4th-century saint and martyr from Mérida in Spain. Another martyr by this name, living at the same time, is a patron saint of Barcelona. These two saints might be the same person.
Eumelia f Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek εὐμέλεια (eumeleia) meaning "melody".
Euodia f Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek, Biblical
Derived from Greek εὐοδία (euodia) meaning "a good journey", a derivative of εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and ὁδός (hodos) meaning "road, way, journey". This name is mentioned briefly in Paul's epistle to the Philippians in the New Testament (though some translations assume it belongs to a man named Euodias).
Euphemia f Ancient Greek, English (Archaic)
Means "to use words of good omen" from Greek εὐφημέω (euphemeo), a derivative of εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and φημί (phemi) meaning "to speak, to declare". Saint Euphemia was an early martyr from Chalcedon.
Euphemios m Ancient Greek
Masculine form of Euphemia.
Euphranor m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek εὐφραίνω (euphraino) meaning "to delight, to cheer". This was the name of a 4th-century BC Athenian artist.
Euphrasia f Ancient Greek
Means "good cheer" in Greek, a derivative of εὐφραίνω (euphraino) meaning "to delight, to cheer". This name was borne by a 5th-century saint from Constantinople.
Eupraxia f Ancient Greek
From a Greek word meaning "good conduct", derived from εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and πρᾶξις (praxis) meaning "action, exercise".
Euric m Gothic (Anglicized)
From the Gothic name *Aiwareiks, derived from aiws "eternity, age" and reiks "ruler, king". This was the name of a 5th-century king of the Visigoths.
Euripides m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek Εὔριπος (Euripos), referring to the strait between Euboea and Boeotia, combined with the patronymic suffix ἴδης (ides). This was the name of a 5th-century BC Greek tragic poet.
Eustachys m Ancient Greek
Means "fruitful" in Greek. It is ultimately from the elements εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and στάχυς (stachys) meaning "ear of corn".
Eustathius m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Greek Εὐστάθιος (Eustathios), derived from the Greek word εὐσταθής (eustathes) meaning "well-built, stable". It is ultimately from εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and ἵστημι (histemi) meaning "to stand, to set up". This was the name of a few early saints, including the 2nd-century martyr also known as Eustachius (see Eustace).
Eustorgius m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Eustorgios (see Eustorgio).
Euthymia f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Euthymius.
Euthymios m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Euthymius.
Euthymius m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Εὐθύμιος (Euthymios) meaning "in good spirits, generous", derived from the word εὔθυμος (euthymos), which was composed of the elements εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and θυμός (thymos) meaning "soul, spirit". This was the name of several early saints.
Eutropia f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Eutropios (see Eutropius).
Eutropius m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Εὐτρόπιος (Eutropios), which was derived from the word εὔτροπος (eutropos) meaning "versatile", formed of the elements εὖ (eu) meaning "good" and τρόπος (tropos) meaning "direction, manner, fashion".
Eutychia f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Eutychios (see Eutychius).
Eutychius m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Εὐτύχιος (Eutychios), a variant of Eutychos (see Eutychus). This was the name of several early saints and martyrs.
Evaristus m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Εὐάριστος (Euaristos) meaning "well pleasing" from the Greek word εὐάρεστος (euarestos), derived from εὖ (eu) meaning "good, well" and ἀρεστός (arestos) meaning "pleasing". This was the name of the fifth pope, supposedly martyred under Emperor Hadrian.
Ewald m German, Dutch, Germanic
From an Old German name that was composed of the elements ewa "law, custom" and walt "power, authority". This name was borne by two 7th-century saints from Northumbria who were martyred in Saxony.
Eydís f Old Norse, Icelandic
Derived from the Old Norse elements ey "good fortune" or "island" and dís "goddess".
Eysteinn m Old Norse, Icelandic
Derived from the Old Norse elements ey meaning "island" or "good fortune" and steinn meaning "stone".
Eyvindr m Old Norse
Old Norse form of Øyvind.
Eyvǫr f Old Norse
Old Norse form of Eivor.
Fabia f Italian, Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Fabius.
Fabiana f Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Fabianus (see Fabian).
Fabianus m Ancient Roman
Original Latin form of Fabian.
Fabiola f Italian, Spanish, Ancient Roman
Latin diminutive of Fabia. This was the name of a 4th-century saint from Rome.
Fabius m Ancient Roman
Roman family name that was derived from Latin faba meaning "bean". Quintus Fabius Maximus was the Roman general who used delaying tactics to halt the invasion of Hannibal in the 3rd century BC.
Fabricia f Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Fabricius (see Fabrice).
Fabricius m Ancient Roman
Original Latin form of Fabrice.
Fachtna m Irish, Old Irish, Irish Mythology
Possibly from Old Irish facht meaning "malice". This was the name of a legendary high king of Ireland, said in some traditions to be the husband of Neasa and the father of Conchobar.
Fáelán m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Faolán.
Farahild f Germanic
Old German form of Pharaildis.