Roman boy names: Ancient names echoing an legendary civilization

Names like Augustus, Cassius, Quentin and Titus connect boys to the grandeur of ancient Rome. Choose one of these commanding yet cultured Roman boy names to give your son a powerful moniker reflecting the empire's majestic legacy.

Aeneas: In Roman mythology, Aeneas was a Trojan hero and protagonist of Virgil's Aeneid. After the fall of Troy, he led a group of Trojan refugees to Italy where he became an ancestor of Romans. His name likely derives from the Greek "ainos" meaning "to praise".

Augustus: Augustus was the first Roman emperor and founder of the Roman Empire. His birth name was Gaius Octavius. Augustus means "majestic" or "venerable" in Latin. As emperor, Augustus brought peace and prosperity to Rome after decades of civil war.

Marcus: An old Roman praenomen, Marcus means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. Famous bearers include Marcus Tullius Cicero, the great Roman orator, and Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher emperor.

Maximus: From Latin maximus, meaning "greatest". Borne by several early saints. Famously held by the heroic general Maximus Decimus Meridius in the film Gladiator.

Julius: From the Roman gens Julia, which claimed descent from Julus, son of Aeneas. Julius Caesar made the name famous. Julius means "soft-haired, youthful" in Latin.

Titus: Simply means "title of honor" in Latin. Borne by the Roman emperor Titus, known for completing the Colosseum. Also borne by St. Titus, a disciple of St. Paul mentioned in the New Testament.

Gaius: Roman praenomen meaning "to rejoice". Gaius Julius Caesar and Gaius Octavius (later Augustus) were two of the most influential Romans. Many early Christian saints also used the name.

Flavius: Name of a Roman gens known for producing emperors. Means "golden-haired" from Latin flavus. Titus Flavius Vespasianus ruled as emperor Vespasian. His son Titus and grandson Domitian also reigned.

Magnus: Latin meaning "great". Borne by several early saints as well as Charlemagne, King of the Franks. Used in Norway in honor of the Viking king Magnus I and popularized from there.

Quintus: Fifth born child. Also an old Roman praenomen used by aristocratic families. Quintus Sertorius was a respected Roman general who fought against dictator Sulla.

Aurelius: Name of a prominent Roman gens which claimed descent from aureus, meaning "golden". Marcus Aurelius was one of Rome's greatest emperors.

Tiberius: Name of second Roman emperor, Tiberius Caesar Augustus. Commemorates the River Tiber, vital for trade and commerce in ancient Rome.

Servius: Sixth king of Rome prior to the founding of the Republic. Reigned wisely and built important structures like the Servian Wall. Means "to preserve" or "to keep safe".

Faustus: Latin meaning "auspicious, fortunate". Marcus Annius Verus took the name Marcus Aurelius Faustus Antoninus when adopted into the imperial family.

Silvanus: Minor rustic Roman god of forests and uncultivated land. Name may mean "of the woods, forest". Shared roots with Latin silva meaning "woods, forest".

Probus: Means "good, honorable" in Latin. Marcus Aurelius Probus ruled as Roman Emperor 276-282 AD. He was respected for military skill and civic works projects.

Atticus: Name used by Titus Pomponius, friend of orator Cicero. He never sought public office but advised powerful figures behind the scenes. Name means "belonging to Attica", referring to the region of Greece containing Athens.

Fabius: Name of a noted Roman patrician family, descended from quintus Fabius who fought against Hannibal in the Second Punic War by avoiding direct conflict.

Germanicus: Birth name of Roman general Germanicus Julius Caesar. His victories in Germania Magna led to the name which means "German". Died under suspicious circumstances.

Drusus: Birth name of Roman general Nero Claudius Drusus, conqueror of Germania. Name possibly relates to the Latin "durus" meaning "hard". Brother of first emperor Tiberius.

Aulus: Roman praenomen thought to be a diminutive form of Aulus, a Sabine word implying high social status. Aulus Plautius led the Roman conquest of Britain under emperor Claudius.

Tatianus: Roman name derived from the Roman gens Tatia. Possibly from Latin titulus, "title of honor". St. Tatianus was a second-century Christian convert and missionary.

Valerius: Roman family name derived from Latin valere, "to be strong, healthy". Many early saints bore this name. Also the name of more than one Roman emperor such as Valerius Romulus.

Vitus: Latin name meaning "life". St. Vitus was a 4th-century Sicilian saint who died as a young boy under the Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians.

Victor: From Latin victor, "conqueror". Victor was a 3rd-century saint and Roman soldier of the famed Theban Legion. Refused to renounce his faith and was martyred.

Marius: Roman family name possibly related to Mars. Gaius Marius was one of the most acclaimed generals and military reformers in Roman history.

Antonius: Roman family name which possibly meant "invaluable". Mark Antony was lover of Cleopatra and foremost rival of Augustus after the murder of Julius Caesar.

Nero: Roman emperor infamous for tyranny and extravagance. nonetheless remained popular with commoners. Name means "strong, valiant" in the Sabine language.

Romulus: Legendary founder and first king of Rome. Together with his twin Remus established the city around Palatine Hill. Name may mean "one from Rome".

Benedictus: Meaning "blessed", first popularized by St. Benedict of Nursia, founder of Western monasticism and patron saint of Europe. He established the influential Benedictine order.

Valentinus: "Healthy, strong", based on Latin valentia. Several early saints bore this name, including a 3rd-century priest of Rome and a saint who was a noted physician.

Damasus: Probably meaning "calf tamer", borne by St. Damasus I, 4th-century pope who commissioned translations of the bible and affirmed church teachings.

Florianus: Based on Roman clan name "Florus", itself rooted in Latin flos meaning "flower". St. Florian was a Roman officer said to have been martyred by drowning in a river with a millstone tied around his neck.

Felix: Latin for "lucky, favored by fortune". A common name among early Christians adopted due to their belief they were blessed. St. Felix of Cantalice was a popular medieval Italian saint.

Constantius: "Constant, steadfast". Held by Constantius Chlorus, Roman Emperor and father of Constantine the Great. When he became Christian it set path for Imperial conversion.