Choosing a Roman name

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Revision as of 14:24, 11 March 2006

So that Nova Roma may be a working restoration of ancient Republican Roman society, we ask that you choose a "Roman Name" when you enroll as an official Citizen. Use of Roman names will allow the culture of Nova Roma to grow in the traditional manner of organization by "gens", or clans, and branches of families within the different gentes. The Roman name you choose will be entered into the Citizens rolls along with your "given" name. We'll use it when contacting you, and invite you to make your experience an authentic one by making use of it in correspondence and public participation.

• If you've already chosen a Roman name for yourself, simply list it in your application for Citizenship.
• If you are new to Roman culture, and would like assistance in choosing a Roman name that expresses both you and your interests, simply contact the censores.

Roman male names typically contain three proper nouns which are classified as praenomen (or given name), nomen (or gens name) and cognomen. Sometimes a second cognomen (called agnomen) is added. For female names, the convention is similar, with a few differences. When applying for citizenship, only the praenomen, nomen, and cognomen are mandatory. Additional elements such as agnomen and filiation are optional.

Contents 1 Praenomina 1.1 Male Praenomina 1.2 Female Praenomina 2 Nomina

Praenomina

This form of "first" name was relatively unimportant, and was rarely used on its own. There are only a relative few praenomina that were commonly known in both the Republican era of Rome.

Please note that this list includes all the most common praenomina. They are accepted as standards by most scholars and will also be accepted by the censores without discussion. There are however a few other, far less common, praenomina available on request. The full list can be obtained on request and censorial approval of these unusual praenomina is necessary before any application is processed.

Please note that no Praenomen that does not appear on this list will be accepted by the Censorial office without a special application.

Nota Bene: Historically certain praenomina were used only in certain gentes. Although we will not restrict their use we warmly recommand that established practice should be followed if and where possible. The praenomina in question are:

• Kaeso used by the gens Fabia
• Numerius used by gens Fabia
• Appius used by gens Claudia
• Mamercus used by gens Aemilia

Male Praenomina

Female Praenomina

Nomina

The second name or nomen is the name of the gens (clan) in masculine form. In Nova Roman society, each gens bears a unique name. Examples of nomina are:

• Nomina marked with an asterix (*) are NOT currently in use in Nova Roma. Please note that we are not currently accepting new gentes in Nova Roma until further notice. You may however petition the censores and present a case should you wish to overcome this restriction.
• Nomina in brackets ([…]) are only recorded during the imperial period but may also belong to the Republican nomencalture.
• Nomina marked with a square (#) do not have an Italian/Roman origin.

NB : Female nomina take -ia instead of -ius on the root of the nomen. e.g : Octavius -> Octavia.