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 (?), HistoryMeaning unknown. It 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.... [
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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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Acarius m History (Ecclesiastical)Saint Acarius (died 14 March 642) was bishop of Doornik and Noyon, which today are located on either side of the Franco-Belgian border. He was especially attentive to the poor and afflicted, whose needs he enjoyed relieving and calming their suffering.
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]
Adomnán m History (Ecclesiastical)Adomnán (c.625–704) was ninth abbot of the monastery on Iona off the Scottish coast, and comarba (head) of the confederation of churches associated with St Columba/Colum Cille. Like Columba, Adomnán came from what is now County Donegal... [
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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.
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.
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... [
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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"... [
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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 (Hellenized), Old Persian (Hellenized, ?)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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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"... [
more]
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 HistoryFrom 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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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.
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 Arabic, HistoryThe Arabian Peninsula, this was the name of the daughter of the Byzantine emperor, Justin II.
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... [
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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.
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.
Arilda f History (Ecclesiastical)Saint Arilda was an obscure female saint from Oldbury-on-Severn in the English county of Gloucestershire who probably lived in the 5th- or 6th-century. She may have been of either Anglo-Saxon or Welsh origin.
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".... [
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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]
Asparuh m Bulgarian, Bulgar, HistoryAsparuh 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.
Astyages m Old Persian (Hellenized), HistoryHellenized form of Old Persian
Ishtovigu or
Ištovigu, which apparently derives from Old Iranian
rishti vaiga, meaning "swinging the spear". This was the name of a Median king, who lived in the 6th century BC.
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.
Athanagild m Germanic, HistoryDerived from Gothic
athn or
atathni "year" (or possibly a derivative of
athala "noble") combined with Gothic
gild "sacrifice." Athanagild was a 6th-century king of Visigothic Hispania.
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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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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Azarmidokht f Persian, HistoryFrom the Middle Persian name
Āzarmīgdukht, which was possibly derived from Persian آزرم
(âzarm) "modesty, shame; honour, respect" and دخت
(dokht) "daughter". This was the name of a queen of the Sasanian Empire who reigned from 630 to 631.
Baderic m Germanic, HistoryMeans "powerful battle", derived from the Germanic elements
badu "battle" and
rîcja "powerful, strong, mighty." The second element is also closely related to Celtic
rîg or
rix and Gothic
reiks, which all mean "king, ruler." Baderic was a 6th-century co-king of the Thuringii, a Germanic tribe.
Bang-gwa m Korean, HistoryMeaning unknown. This was the personal name of Jeongjong (1357-1419), second king of the Joseon dynasty.
Bang-u m Korean, HistoryMeaning unknown. This was the personal name of Grand Prince Jinan (1354-1394), oldest son of
Seong-gye (King Taejo).
Bang-won m Korean, HistoryMeaning unknown. This was the personal name of Taejong (1367-1422), third king of Joseon.
Barisan m HistoryThis name was first found in Northern Italy (Tuscany and Liguria, to be precise). Its meaning and etymological origin is unknown, though it is probably related to the name of the Italian town of Barisano, which was named
Castrum Barisani (meaning "Barisan's castle") in its earliest records... [
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Bathilda f English (Rare), German, HistoryVariant of
Bathild. This was the name of a 7th-century English saint who became queen of the Franks after being sold to them as a slave. She was canonised for fighting against the slave trade, promoting monasticism and founding a convent... [
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Bato m Albanian (Rare), History, IllyrianBato the Daesitiate (also known as Bato of the Daesitiates) was a chieftain of the Daesitiates, an Illyrian tribe which fought against the Roman Empire between 6 and 9 AD in a conflict known as Bellum Batonianum.
Bauto m HistoryFlavius Bauto (died c. 385) was a Romanised Frank who served as a magister militum of the Roman Empire and imperial advisor under Valentinian II.
Bayinnaung m Burmese, HistoryMeans "King's Elder Brother" in Burmese. This was the name of King the Toungoo Dynasty of Myanmar from 1550 to 1581 (Note 1).
Belisarius m Greek (Latinized), HistoryFrom Greek Βελισάριος (
Belisarios), probably of Illyric origin. This was the name of a famed Byzantine general and war hero who served the emperor Justinian. He was possibly of Slavic ancestry which has led to speculation that the name derives from Slavonic
Beli-tzar "white prince" (the -
sarius element being interpreted as coming from the old Slavic word
tsesar or
tsesari, which was derived from
Caesar, thus giving Belisarius a "princely" connotation), but this etymology has since been discounted as somewhat dubious.
Benen m HistoryBenen was the name of the first Irish Bishop of Ireland, who was a follower of St. Patrick. ... [
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Bilistiche f Ancient Greek (Rare, ?), HistoryPerhaps a Macedonian dialectical form of
Philistiche, or a Hellenized form of a non-Greek name. This was borne by a 3rd-century BC hetaira (courtesan or prostitute of ancient Greece) of uncertain origin... [
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Blaesilla f History (Ecclesiastical)Feminine diminutive of
Blaesus. Blaesilla (364–384) was a Roman widow and disciple of Jerome. Most of the knowledge about Blaesilla's life comes from the writings of Jerome, in which he described her piety and virtue... [
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