Roman name generator
Ancient Roman names in three parts, built from real Latin first names, family names and nicknames, with a role in Roman society. Women's names follow the Roman rule of taking the family name.
- Aulus Licinius PaulusMagistrate · praenomen, nomen and cognomen
- Aemilia TertiaRoman woman · named after her family
- Quintus Valerius LepidusFreedman · praenomen, nomen and cognomen
- Tiberius Aemilius LentulusTribune · praenomen, nomen and cognomen
- Junia PaulaRoman woman · named after her family
- Claudia TertiaRoman woman · named after her family
- Gaius Valerius CrassusMagistrate · praenomen, nomen and cognomen
- Appius Livius ScaevolaAedile · praenomen, nomen and cognomen
- Julia MinorRoman woman · named after her family
- Spurius Caecilius RufusMagistrate · praenomen, nomen and cognomen
- Quintus Flavius AgricolaLegionary · praenomen, nomen and cognomen
- Tiberius Tullius LentulusMagistrate · praenomen, nomen and cognomen
How to use it
Use the cognomen for character
Many cognomina were nicknames: Rufus (red-haired), Naso (big nose), Felix (lucky). Pick one that fits.
Sisters shared a name
Roman sisters all had the same name and were told apart by Maior, Minor or Secunda, which the generator also uses.
Historical fiction
All the name parts are real Latin names; the combinations are random, so check before you borrow a famous one.
Example roman names
Men: Numerius Horatius Corvus, Tiberius Antonius Naso, Quintus Aemilius Rufus, Decimus Aemilius Scaevola, Titus Junius Felix, Sextus Sulpicius Priscus, Marcus Caecilius Crassus, Appius Valerius Naso.
Women: Octavia Celer, Vibia Secunda, Aemilia Maxima, Cornelia Severa, Julia Longina, Aemilia Scaevola, Fabia Crassa, Tullia Varro.
How Roman names worked
A Roman citizen had three names. The praenomen was a personal name from a short list (Gaius, Marcus, Lucius). The nomen was the family or clan name (Julius, Cornelius). The cognomen began as a nickname, like Rufus for red hair, and often became the branch of the family. Women usually took the feminine form of the father's nomen: a daughter of the Julii was Julia.
Questions
Is it free?
Yes. Names are put together in your browser, so it's free with no sign-up and no limit.
Are these real Roman names?
Each part is a real Latin name. The combinations are random, so most won't be historical people.
Can I use these names in my own book or game?
Yes. They're built from word parts rather than copied from a list, so you can use them however you like.