Date
Gender Masculine
Usage Ancient Roman, Biblical Latin, Biblical
Pronounced Pron. /ˈpon.ti.us/(Latin) /ˈpɑn.ʃəs/(American English) /ˈpɑn.t͡ʃəs/(American English) /ˈpɑn.ti.əs/(American English) /ˈpɒn.ʃəs/(British English) /ˈpɒn.t͡ʃəs/(British English) /ˈpɒn.ti.əs/(British English)
Meaning & History
Roman family name. The family had Samnite roots so the name probably originated from the Oscan language, likely meaning "fifth" (a cognate of Latin Quintus). Alternatively, it could be derived from the name of the ancient province of Pontus in Asia Minor, itself probably from Greek πόντος (pontos) meaning "sea". A notable bearer of this name was Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea who appears in the New Testament.