This is a list of submitted names in which the gender is masculine; and the name appears on the list of Shakespearian Characters.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Abhorson m TheatreFrom the English word
abhor "to regard with horror or detestation". It is the name of the executioner in William Shakespeare's 'Measure for Measure' (written in 1603 or 1604; first published in 1623).
Alarbus m TheatreFrom the play
The Tragedy of Titus Andronicus (late 16th century) by William Shakespeare. Alarbus is the son of
Tamora.
Antenor m Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology, GalicianDerived from the Greek noun ἀντήνωρ
(antenor) meaning "instead of a man", which consists of Greek ἀντί
(anti) meaning "against" as well as "instead of" and "compared to, like" combined with the Greek noun ἀνήρ
(aner) meaning "man".... [
more]
Antipholus m TheatrePossibly a variant of
Antiphilus. The first element of this name is Greek αντι
(anti) "against, compared to, like"; the second element is less certain, perhaps derived from Greek φωλεός
(phôleos) "den, lair" (the source of the mythological name
Pholus) or from Latin
folium "a leaf; a sheet of paper; trifle, thing of no consequence"... [
more]
Barnardine m TheatrePossibly an anglicized form of
Bernardino, or perhaps a diminutive of
Barnard. This was used by Shakespeare for a character in his play 'Measure for Measure' (1604).
Biron m English (Rare), TheatreShakespeare used this name in one of the three companions of King Ferdinand in
Love's Labour Lost (1594).
Brandon m Medieval FrenchMedieval French form of
Brando. At the same time, it was also a diminutive of Germanic names that contain the element
brant meaning "sword", as
-on is a French diminutive suffix.... [
more]
Caithness m LiteratureMeaning unknown, possibly a transferred usage of the place name
Caithness as a given name. He appeared in the Shakespearean play,
Macbeth.
Calchas m Greek Mythology (Latinized)Latinized form of Greek Κάλχας
(Kalchas), which is perhaps derived from Greek χαλκός
(chalkos) "bronze". Calchas was a seer featured in Homer's 'Iliad', famous for correctly predicting many events of the Trojan War... [
more]
Casca m Ancient Roman, TheatreRoman cognomen which was derived from Oscan
casca meaning "old". This was borne by one of the assassins of Julius Caesar: Servilius Casca. He features in Shakespeare's play 'Julius Caesar' (1599).
Chiron m Greek Mythology (Latinized)Derived from Greek
kheir meaning "hand" (also "skilled with the hands", related to
kheirourgos "surgeon"). In Greek mythology he was the eldest and wisest of the centaurs, who educated and trained many of the great heroes... [
more]
Cícero m Portuguese (Brazilian)Portuguese form of
Cicero. It became popular because of Padre Cícero, a Brazilian priest who became a spiritual leader to the people of the Northeast Region of Brazil.
Cinna m Ancient RomanRoman cognomen of uncertain meaning. This was the name of a Roman politician who was the father-in-law of Julius Caesar.
Cobweb m TheatreFrom the English word
cobweb meaning "spiderweb". In Shakespeare's comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (1595) this name is borne by a fairy attendant of Titania.
Coriolanus m Ancient Roman, History, TheatreRoman cognomen which was derived from
Corioli, the name of an ancient but now lost Volscian city. Although derived from the Volscian language, it is not known what the meaning of the city's name was in Volscian... [
more]
Curan m TheatreUsed by Shakespeare in his tragedy
King Lear (1606).
Denís m & f Galician, Gascon, SpanishGalician, Spanish and Gascon form of
Denis. In Spanish it is sometimes used for women too as variant of
Denise, reflecting the French pronunciation.
Dogberry m LiteratureDogberry is a character created by William Shakespeare for his play Much Ado About Nothing. The name probably comes from "dogberry", another name for mountain ash, also called rowan.
Donalbain m Theatre, HistoryAnglicized form of Gaelic
Domnall Bán meaning "
Domnall the Fair", a nickname of Donald III, King of Scots, the second known son of Duncan I. This was the form used by Shakespeare in his tragic play 'Macbeth' (1606) for a character based on the historical figure, who allegorically represents moral order.
Dromio m TheatreThis name belongs to two characters in William Shakespeare's play 'The Comedy of Errors' (1592): twin brothers Dromio of Ephesus and Dromio of Syracuse. It is possibly derived from Greek δρόμος
(dromos) "a course, running, race", or a related word.
Dumaine m English, LiteratureDumaine, a character in Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost. Dumaine and DuMaine are surnames.
Egeon m TheatreVariant of
Aegaeon. This is the name of a Syracusan merchant in William Shakespeare's play 'The Comedy of Errors' (1592).
Escalus m TheatrePossibly a variant of
Aeschylus. This was used by Shakespeare in his play 'Romeo and Juliet' (1596), where it belongs to Prince Escalus. He later used it for a character in his play 'Measure for Measure' (written 1603 or 1604; first published 1623).
Fidele m LiteratureMeans faithful. Used as a false name by Imogen in Shakespeare's play Cymbeline.
Fleance m TheatreA character in the play 'Macbeth' by William Shakespeare.
Fluellen m TheatreAnglicized form of
Llywelyn used by Shakespeare for a Welsh captain in his history play 'Henry V' (1599).
Fränk m LuxembourgishLuxembourgish form of
Frank. This name is borne by Luxembourgish road bicycle rider Fränk Schleck.
Froth m TheatreThe name of a character in Shakespeare's play 'Measure for Measure', believed to have been written in 1603 or 1604.
Gratiano m TheatreForm of
Gratianus (see
Gratian) used by Shakespeare for characters in his plays
The Merchant of Venice (written between 1596 and 1598) and
Othello (ca... [
more]
Grumio m TheatreThis name was used for a slave in the play
Mostellaria written by Titus Maccius Plautus (c. 254-184 BC). It is also found in Shakespeare's play
The Taming of the Shrew (written between 1590 and 1592) and in the Cambridge Latin Course.
Guiderius m TheatreGuiderius is the son of the eponymous character in 'Cymbeline, King of Britain' by William Shakespeare.
Guildenstern m TheatreGuildenstern was a childhood friend of Hamlet in William Shakespeare's famous play, Hamlet.
Hostilius m Ancient RomanDerived from Latin
hostilis "hostile." This name was borne by Tullus Hostilius, a legendary Roman king from the 7th century BC.
Hymen m Greek MythologyDerived from Greek
hymenaios meaning "bridal song, hymeneal (wedding hymn)". In Greek mythology Hymen was the god of marriage and weddings, supposed to preside over every wedding.
Launcelot m Theatre, Arthurian CycleVariant of
Lancelot. This spelling was used by Shakespeare in his play
The Merchant of Venice (written between 1596 and 1598) for the character of Launcelot Gobbo.
Lear m ManxDerived from Proto-Celtic
*liro- "sea; ocean".
Lucentio m TheatrePossibly the Italian form of
Lucentius. This was used by Shakespeare for one of the romantic male leads in his play 'The Taming of the Shrew' (1593).
Lucillius m Ancient RomanVariant spelling of
Lucilius. This name was borne by a satirical poet who lived under the Roman emperor Nero in the first century AD.
Lucullus m Ancient RomanRoman cognomen which was derived from a diminutive (as
-ullus is a Latin masculine diminutive suffix) of either the given name
Lucius or of the Latin noun
lucus meaning "grove" (see
Lucina)... [
more]
Marullus m Ancient RomanThe name of a Ancient Roman senator who was among the Senators who feared that Julius Caesar was becoming too powerful. In the play that playwright and poet William Shakespeare wrote based on the last days of Caesar, he and Flavius force citizens praising Caesar off the streets and taking decorations off statues in about the beginning of the play.
Pandarus m Greek Mythology (Latinized), Literature, TheatreLatinized form of Greek Πάνδαρος
(Pandaros), which was possibly derived from παν
(pan) "all" and an uncertain second element. This is the name of a mythical archer who appears in stories of the Trojan War, and "who by an arrow-shot violates the truce between the Trojans and Greeks, and is afterwards slain by Diomedes." In Homer's 'Iliad' he is portrayed as an energetic and impetuous warrior, but in medieval literature he becomes a witty and licentious figure who facilitates the affair between
Troilus and
Cressida... [
more]
Peaseblossom m TheatreFrom English
pea's blossom, referring to the small flower of a pea plant. This name was used by Shakespeare in his comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (1595), where it belongs to one of the servants to the fairy queen Titania.
Posthumus m Medieval EnglishUsed as a second or third name to indicate the child of a deceased parent. ex. Thomas Posthumus son of Thomas. ... [
more]
Romeo m & f JapaneseFrom Japanese 朗 (
ro) meaning "bright, clear", 明 (
me) meaning "clear, bright" combined with 生 (
o) meaning "raw, live". Other kanji combinations are possible. ... [
more]
Rosencrantz m TheatreAnglicized form of the noble Danish surname
Rosenkrantz. Shakespeare used this name for a childhood friend of Hamlet in his play
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (1600).
Salerio m ItalianUsed by William Shakespeare in the play "The Merchant of Venice". Possibly derived from
Saverio.
Servilius m Ancient RomanRoman nomen gentile which was derived from the Latin adjective
servilis meaning "of a slave, slavish, servile", which is ultimately derived from the Latin verb
servio meaning "to serve, to be in service, to be a servant/slave"... [
more]
Silence m & f English (African), English (Puritan), Romani (Archaic)Simply from the English word
silence, from Middle English from Old French, from Latin
silentium, from
silere "be silent". A popular virtue name amongst the Puritans in the 17th century, it was usually given to girls (very occasionally to boys), ultimately taken from the admonition of Saint Paul: "Let the women learn in silence, with all subjection." Translated into Latin it became
Tace, which "in its turn developed into
Tacey"... [
more]
Solinus m LiteratureSolinus is the Duke of Ephesus in William Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors".
Trinculo m TheatreThe name of King Alonso's jester in Shakespeare's play 'The Tempest' (1611).
Tubal m HebrewMeans "thou shalt be brought" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Tubal-Cain was the son of Lamech and Zillah, and brother to Naamah. He was the first blacksmith.
Varro m Ancient RomanRoman cognomen of which the etymology is obscure, though there is a possibility that it might be of Etruscan origin. Known bearers of this name are Roman consul Gaius Terentius Varro (3rd century BC), Roman scholar Marcus Terentius Varro (1st century BC) and Roman poet Varro Atacinus (1st century BC).
Volumnius m Ancient RomanFrom a Roman nomen gentile which was possibly derived from Latin
volumen meaning "roll, scroll", but could also be derived from the name of the god
Volumnus... [
more]