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HelpRe: Roman Names
in reply to a message by iris
I think most of the female names would work today, but very few of the male; we seem to have a higher tolerance for long, self-consciously elegant, high-toned names on women than on men. I have asterisked the ones I think are most workable.
Amadeus: Too Mozart.
Antonius: Go for Anthony instead.
*Augustus: Usable, but I'd plump for August instead.
Aulus: Nobody would pronounce it right, unfortunately.
Aurelius: I wouldn't.
Caius: I'd prefer Gaius, which is probably not going to survive junior high school.
Cicero: The association with one person is far too strong.
Dominicus: No, but Dominic is great.
Fabius: I wouldn't.
Faustus: The legend is, I think, too strong and negative an association.
*Felix: Cartoon cats be darned; I think this one could work.
Justus: Possible, but the uninformed would think it was a kre8ive variation on Justice.
Liber: No. No.
Livius: I wouldn't. Titus, maybe, if you're a fan of the historian?
Octavius: I really wouldn't.
Pollux: Only if you name his twin Castor. I dare you.
Tacitus: Same as Cicero--too strong an association with one man.
*Antonia: Gorgeous!
*Aurora: I can never wrap my tongue around those r's, but it does get used on actual people in the present day.
Benedicta: At present, it would sound as if you're naming your daughter after the Pope.
Cardea: No.
*Cassia: Usable, though Cassandra is nicer. (I'm biased; that's my name.)
Crescentia: Good Lord, no.
*Faustina: Just barely workable; I have known of women with this name.
*Flavia: Beautiful!
*Flora: Quite nice.
Juno: Better leave the major divinities alone.
*Lavinia: Very nice, though Mourning Becomes Electra has spoiled it a bit for me.
*Livia: The popularity of Olivia would make me think twice before using this one.
*Lucia: Absolutely.
*Mariana: Very nice.
*Octavia: Also very nice.
*Prisca: Priscilla might be a bit more handy.
Vesta: See Juno.
I would pronounce Laelia as LYE-le-ah.
Amadeus: Too Mozart.
Antonius: Go for Anthony instead.
*Augustus: Usable, but I'd plump for August instead.
Aulus: Nobody would pronounce it right, unfortunately.
Aurelius: I wouldn't.
Caius: I'd prefer Gaius, which is probably not going to survive junior high school.
Cicero: The association with one person is far too strong.
Dominicus: No, but Dominic is great.
Fabius: I wouldn't.
Faustus: The legend is, I think, too strong and negative an association.
*Felix: Cartoon cats be darned; I think this one could work.
Justus: Possible, but the uninformed would think it was a kre8ive variation on Justice.
Liber: No. No.
Livius: I wouldn't. Titus, maybe, if you're a fan of the historian?
Octavius: I really wouldn't.
Pollux: Only if you name his twin Castor. I dare you.
Tacitus: Same as Cicero--too strong an association with one man.
*Antonia: Gorgeous!
*Aurora: I can never wrap my tongue around those r's, but it does get used on actual people in the present day.
Benedicta: At present, it would sound as if you're naming your daughter after the Pope.
Cardea: No.
*Cassia: Usable, though Cassandra is nicer. (I'm biased; that's my name.)
Crescentia: Good Lord, no.
*Faustina: Just barely workable; I have known of women with this name.
*Flavia: Beautiful!
*Flora: Quite nice.
Juno: Better leave the major divinities alone.
*Lavinia: Very nice, though Mourning Becomes Electra has spoiled it a bit for me.
*Livia: The popularity of Olivia would make me think twice before using this one.
*Lucia: Absolutely.
*Mariana: Very nice.
*Octavia: Also very nice.
*Prisca: Priscilla might be a bit more handy.
Vesta: See Juno.
I would pronounce Laelia as LYE-le-ah.
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