Choosing a Roman name

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*[[Choosing a cognomen]]
 
*[[Choosing a cognomen]]
  
==Nomina==
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==Praenomina==
  
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:
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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.
  
* 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.
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==Nomina==
* Nomina in brackets ([…]) are only recorded during the imperial period but may also belong to the Republican nomencalture.
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* Nomina marked with a square (#) do not have an Italian/Roman origin.
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We encourage our applicants to enter one of the already existing Gentes of Nova Roma and to adopt the respective nomen. If an applicant wants to create a new gens, the censores must be contacted for approval and it should be one of the gentes proven to actually have existed during the Republic.
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NB : Female nomina take -ia instead of -ius on the root of the nomen. e.g : Octavius -> Octavia.
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{{FourUp|content=Acilius}}
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The second name or nomen is the name of the gens (clan) in masculine form.
{{FourUp|content=Aebutius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Aelius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Aemilius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Aeternius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Afranius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Albinius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Albius}}
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{{FourUp|content=[Ambrosius] # (Greece)}}
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{{FourUp|content=Anicius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Annaeus}}
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{{FourUp|content=Annius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Antius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Antonius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Apollonius # (Greece)}}
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{{FourUp|content=Appuleius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Aquil(l)ius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Arrius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Asinius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Atilius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Atrius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Aurelius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Baebius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Caecilius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Caedicius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Caelius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Calidius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Calpurnius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Calvisius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Caninius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Cassius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Catilius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Cicereius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Claudius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Cloelius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Cocceius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Comicius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Cominius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Cornelius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Cornuficius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Coruncanius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Curius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Curtius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Decius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Dexius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Didius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Domitius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Duilius}}
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{{FourUp|content=[Duvius]*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Equitius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Fabius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Fabricius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Flaminius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Flavius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Folius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Fulvius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Furius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Gabinius}}
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{{FourUp|content=[Galerius]}}
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{{FourUp|content=Geganius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Gellius}}
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{{FourUp|content=[Geminius]}}
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{{FourUp|content=Genucius}}
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{{FourUp|content=[Gra(t)tius]}}
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{{FourUp|content=[Haterius]*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Helvius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Herennius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Hermenius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Hirtius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Horatius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Hortensius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Iulius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Iunius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Iuventius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Labienus}}
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{{FourUp|content=Laelius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Larcius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Laronius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Licinius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Livius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Lucilius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Lucretius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Lutatius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Manlius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Marcius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Marius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Memmius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Menenius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Minicius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Modius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Mucius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Munatius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Naevius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Nautius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Nerius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Nigidius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Nonius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Norbanus*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Numicius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Octavius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Ogulnius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Opimius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Oppius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Otacilius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Ovidius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Ovinius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Ovius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Papirius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Pedius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Peducaeus*}}
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{{FourUp|content=[Petronius]}}
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{{FourUp|content=Pinarius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Plautius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Pleminius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Poetelius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Pompeius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Pomponius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Pontius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Popillius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Porcius (or Portius)}}
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{{FourUp|content=Postumius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Publilius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Pupius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Quin(c)tilius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Quin(c)tius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Rabuleius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Romilius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Roscius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=[Rubellius]}}
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{{FourUp|content=Rutilius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Salonius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Sallustius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Salvius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Scribonius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Sellius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Sempronius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Sentius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Sergius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Sertorius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Servilius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Sestius (or Sextius)}}
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{{FourUp|content=Sicinius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Sosius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Statilius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Suetonius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Sulpicius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Tarpeius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Tarquinius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Tarquitius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Terentius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Tetrilius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=[Tetrinius]*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Titinius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Titurius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Titurnius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Trebellius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Trebius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Trebonius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Tuccius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Tullius}}
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{{FourUp|content=[Ulpius]}}
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{{FourUp|content=Valerius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Vatinius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=[Vedius]}}
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{{FourUp|content=[Velius]}}
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{{FourUp|content=Ventidius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Vergilius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Veturius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=[Vespasius]*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Villius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Vipsanius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Virginius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Vitellius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Vibius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Vitruvius}}
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{{FourUp|content=Volcatius*}}
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{{FourUp|content=Volumnius*}}
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<br style="clear:both"/>
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Revision as of 02:37, 12 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.

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.

Nomina

The second name or nomen is the name of the gens (clan) in masculine form.


Cognomina

The third name or cognomen started to be a nickname or personal name that distinguished individuals within the same gens (the cognomen does not appear in official documents until around 100 BCE). During the Roman Republic, the cognomen is inherited from father to son, serving to distinguish a family within a gens. Often the cognomen was chosen based on some physical or personality trait.

Note: This list is intended as a guide to help you choose a meaningful cognomen. It is not a definite work and we will be adding new cognomina as and when our research permits. You are most welcome to choose a cognomen that does not appear on this list as long as your cognomen fits within the rules defined by the censorial edictum de nominibus.

male form / female form 
Meaning
Aculeo / ? 
Prickly, unfriendly
Agricola / ? 
The farmer
Agrippa / ? 
He who was born feet first
Ahala / ? 
Armpit; Cognomen of gens Servilia
Ahenobarbus / ? 
With a red beard; Cognomen of gens Domitia
Albinus / Albina 
 ? Cognomen of gens Postumia
Albus / Alba 
White or fair-skinned; Cognomen of gens Postumia
Ambustus / Ambusta 
Burnt, scalded; used by Fabii
Annalis / Annalis 
Relating to years; used by Villii
Aquila / ? 
Eagleish
Aquilinus / Aquilina 
Eagleish
Arvina / ? 
Fat, lard; used by Cornelii and others
Asellio / ? 
The keeper of donkeys; used by Sempronii
Asina / ? 
The female donkey / cognomen of gens Cornelia
Atellus / Atella 
Dark-haired or dark skinned
Avitus / Avita 
He who takes after his grandfather
Balbus / Balba 
He who stuters; used by Acilii, Cornelii, Lucilii, Naevii, Octavii, and others.
Barba / ? 
A beard
Barbatus / ? 
The bearded one; used by Cornelii, Scipiones, Horatii, Quinctii, and others.
Bassus / Bassa 
The plump (i.e. fat) one
Bestia / ? 
An animal or a bestial man; used by Calpurnii.
Bibaculus / Bibacula 
Drunkard; Cognomen of gentes Furia & Sextia
Bibulus / Bibula 
Drunkard; Cognomen of gentes Calpurnia and Publicia
Blaesus / Blaesa 
Someone who mispronounces words, slurs his speech, stammers, or lisps; used by Sempronii.
Brocchus / ? 
Toothy
Brutus / Bruta 
Stupid, dull-witted; used by Iunii
Bubulcus / Bubulca 
A cattle-driver; used by Iunii and others.
Bucco / ? 
Fool; dolt.
Bulbus / Bulba 
Bulb, onion; used by Atilii
Buteo / ? 
Buzzard; used by Fabii
Caecina / ? 
Cognomen of gens Licinia
Caecus / Caeca 
The blind one; cognomen of gens Claudia
Caepio / ? 
The onion vendor. Cognomen of gens Servilia.
Caesar / ? 
From archaic praenomen Caesar, perhaps meaining "hairy"; used by Iulii
Calidus / Calida 
Hot-headed, rash; used by Coelii and others
Calvinus / Calvina 
 ? Probably from Calvus. Cognomen of gentes Domitia & Veturia
Calvus / Calva 
The bald one
Camillus / Camilla 
A child who hepled during sacrifices. Cognomen of gens Furia
Caninus / Canina 
Dog-like; used by Acilii
Canus / Cana 
Golden-haired or grey-haired
Capito / ? 
Big-headed; used by Ateii and others
Carbo / ? 
Charcoal; used by Papirii and others.
Castus / Casta 
The pure, chaste one
Catilina / ? 
Cognomen of gens Sergia
Cato / ? 
Shrewd, prudent; used by Hostilii, Porcii, and others
Catulus / Catula 
Puppy, whelp; used by Lutatii.
Celer / Celera 
Quick
Celsus / Celsa 
Tall; used by Papii and others
Cethegus / Cethega 
Refers to early Romans. Cognomen of gens Cornelia
Cicero / ? 
Chick pea; used by Tulii and others
Cicurinus / Cicurina 
Mild, gentle; used by Veturii
Cilo / ? 
Large forehead or large lips; used by Flaminii and others
Cincinnatus / Cincinnata 
Curly-haired; used by Quinctii and others
Cinna / ? 
 ? Cognomen of gens Cornelia
Collatinus / Collatina 
 ? Probably from Collatia. Cognomen of gens Tarquinia.
Cordus / Corda 
Born late
Cornicen / ? 
Military bugler.
Cornutus / Cornuta 
Horned; used by Caecilii, Sulpicii
Corvinus / Corvina 
He who looks/acts like a crow. Cogn of gens Valeria
Corvus / Corva 
The crow. Cogn of gens Valeria
Cossus / Cossa 
From archaic praenoen Cossus; used by Cornelii
Costa / ? 
A rib; used by Pedanii
Cotta / ? 
 ? Cognomen of Gens Aurelia
Crassipes / ? 
Club-footed; used by Furii
Crassus / Crassa 
Fat; used by Claudii, Licinii, Otacilii, Veturii, and others
Crispinus / Crispina 
 ? Probably related to a location
Crispus / Crispa 
He who has curly hair. Cognomen of gentes Sallustia & Vibia
Culleo / ? 
Leather sack for carrying liquid; used by Terentii
Curio / xxx 
Priest of a Curia. Cognomen of gens Scribonia.
Cursor / ? 
Runner, courier; used by Papirii
Curvus / Curva 
Stopping, bent; used by Fulvii and others
Dentatus / Dentata 
Toothy
Denter / Dentra 
Toothy; used by Caecilii and others
Dento / ? 
Toothy
Dives / Dives 
Rich, wealthy; used by Licinii Crassi and others
Dolabella / ? 
Hatchet; used by Cornelii
Dorsuo / ? 
Large back; used by Fabii, and others
Drusus / Drusilla 
 ? Used by Livii, and others
Figulus / Figula 
The pot maker.
Fimbria / ? 
Edge of clothing, fringes. Cognomen of gens Flavia.
Flaccus / Flacca 
He who has big floppy ears. Used by Avianii, Fulvii, Valerii, and others.
Flavus / Flava 
Blonde-haired; used by Decimii and others
Florus / Flora 
Light-coloured or blooming; used by Aquilii
Fronto / xxx 
He who has a prominent forehead
Frugi / Frugi 
(indecl) the honest one, the sober one
Fullo / ? 
A fuller or launderer; used by Apustii
Fusus / Fusa 
From archaic praenomen Fusus; used by Furii
Galeo / ? 
Helmet
Gemellus / Gemella 
A twin; used by Servilii, Veturii, and others
Geta / ? 
 ? Probably related to a location
Glabrio / ? 
A relative of Glaber; used by Acilii
Gracchus / Graccha 
 ? Cognomen of gens Sempronia
Gurges / ? 
Greedy, prodigal; used by Fabii Maximi
Habitus / Habita 
In good physical condition; used by Cluentii and others
Helva / ? 
Dun-colored hair; used by Aebutii
Imperiosus / Imperiosa 
Domineering, dictatorial; used by Manlii
Iul(l)us / Iul(l)a 
From archaic praenomen Iulus; used by Iulii
Labeo / ? 
Prominent lips; used by Antistii, Atinii, Fabii, and others.
Lactuca / ? 
Lettuce; used by Valerii
Laenas / ? 
 ? Possibly related to a wooly item of clothing. Cogn. of gens Popillia
Laenatus / Laenata 
Wearing wool; used by the Menenii
Laevinus / Laevina 
 ?
Laterensis / Laterenisi 
Person from the hill-side; used by Iuventii
Lentulus / Lentula 
A bit slow; used by Cornelii
Lepidus / Lepida 
Charming, amusing; used by Aemilii and others
Libo / ? 
 ? Used by Marcii and others
Licinus / Licina 
Spiky- or bristly-haired; used by Mamilii
Longus / Longa 
Tall; used by Sempronii, Sulpicii and others
Lucullus / Luculla 
From lucus (grove) or Lucius (praenomen); used by Licinii
Lupus / Lupa 
The wolf. Cognomen of gens Rutilia.
Lurco / ? 
Gluttonous, greedy
Macer / Macra 
Thin; used by Licinii and others
Macula / ? 
A spot or blemish.
Malleolus / Malleola 
Hammer; used by Publicii
Mamercus / Mamerca 
From rare praenomen Mamercusl used by Aemilii
Marcellus / Marcella 
The warrior
Merenda / ? 
Light afternoon meal; used by Antonii, Cornelii and others
Maro / ? 
 ? Used by Vergilii
Mergus / Merga 
Sea-gull
Merula / Merulina 
The blackbird; used by Cornelii
Messal(l)a / Messal(l)ina 
 ? Cognomen of gens Valeria
Metellus / Metella 
The army follower. Cognomen of gens Caecillia
Murena / ? 
Eel; used by Licinii
Mus / Mus / Mouse or rat; used by Decii and others
Musca / ? 
Fly; used by Sempronii
Nasica / ? 
Big-nosed; used by Sempronii
Naso / ? 
Big-nosed; used by Ovidii
Natta / ? 
An artisan; used by Pinarii
Nepos / ? 
Grandchild; used by Caecilii Metelli and others
Nero / ? 
From rare praenomen Nero; used by Claudii and others
Nerva / ? 
Vigorous; used by Licinii and others
Niger / Nigra 
Black-skinned or black-haired
Novellus / Novella 
New, new-fangled; used by Gavilii
Ocella / ? 
Small-eyed; used by Livii and others
Pacilus / Pacila 
From archaic praenomen Pacilus; used by Furii
Paetus / Paeta 
Squinty or blinking; used by Aelii and others
Pansa / ? 
Splay-footed; used by Vibii and others.
Papus / Papa 
From rare praenomen Papus; used by Aemilii and others
Paterculus / Patercula 
Father; used by Sulpicii and others
Pau(l)lus / Paul(l)la 
Small; used by Aemilii and others
Pavo / ? 
Peacock
Pera / ? 
Shoulder-bag; used by Iunii
Perpenna / ? 
 ?
Perperna / ? 
 ?
Pictor / Pictrix 
Painter; used by Fabii
Piso / xxx 
The mortar. Cognomen of gens Calpurnia
Planctus / Plancta 
Flat-footed; used by Munatii
Plautus / Plauta 
Flat-footed
Poplicola / ? 
He who flaters the people. This is another spelling of "Publicola"
Postumus / Postuma 
Born after the father's death; used by Curtii and others
Potitus / Potita 
Probably derived from an archaic praenomen; used by Valerii
Praeconinus / Praeconina 
A relative of a herald
Praetextatus / Praetextata 
Young (wearing the toga praetexta); used by Sulpicii and others
Priscus / Prisca 
Very ancient, from the days of old, the very old man
Proculus / Procula 
From rare praenomen Proculus, perhaps meaning "born during father's absence"; used by Plautii.
Publicola / ? 
He who flatters the people.
Pulcher / Pulchra 
Attractive; used by Claudii and others
Pullus / Pulla 
Child
Pulvillus / Pulvilla 
Small cushion; used by Horatii
Purpureo / ? 
Wearing purple or with a purplish complexion
Quadratus / Quadrata 
Stocky, squarely built
Ralla / ? 
A tunic of fine fabric; used by Marcii
Regillus / Regilla 
Prince; used by Aemilii
Regulus / Regula 
Prince, used by Atilii
Rufus / Rufa 
Reddish, Ginger haired.
Ruga / ? 
Wrinkly
Rullus / Rulla 
Uncultivated, boorish; used by Servilii
Rutilus / Rutila 
Reddish-gold hair
Salinator / Salinatrix 
He who harvests salt.
Saturninus / Saturnina 
Dedicated to Saturnus
Scaeva / ? 
Left-handed; used by Iunii Bruti and others
Scaevola / ? 
Left-handed; used by Mucii and others.
Scapula / ? 
Shoulder-blade; used by Quinctii and others
Scaurus / Scaura 
Lame, swollen-ankled; used by Aemilii, Aurelii
Scipio / ? 
Rod, staff; used by Cornelii and others
Scrofa / ? 
Sow; used by Tremelii
Severus / Severa 
Strict, severe
Seneca / ? 
 ? Probably related to senex, the old man. Cogn of gens Aennaea
Silanus / Silana 
From the forest. Cognomen of gens Iunia
Silo / ? 
Snub-nosed; used by Sergii
Silus / Sila 
Snub-nosed; used by Sergii
Stolo / ? 
Shoot of a plant; used by Licinii
Strabo / ? 
Squinty; used by Titii and others
Structus / Structa 
Possibly derived from an archaic praenomen; used by Servilii
Sulla / ? 
 ? Used by Cornelii
Sura / ? 
Calf of the leg
Taurus / Taura 
Bull
Tranquillus / Tranquilla 
Calm, tranquil, quiet
Triarius / Triaria 
A type of soldier; used by Valerii and others
Trigeminus / Trigemina 
A triplet; used by Curiatii and others
Trio / ? 
One of the seven stars of the Plough; used by Lucretii
Tubero / ? 
Having a tumour or swelling; used by Aelii
Tubertus / Tuberta 
Having a tumour or swelling; used by Postumii
Tubulus / Tubula 
Little tube; used by Hostilii
Tuditanus / Tuditana 
Mallet; used by Sempronii
Tullus / Tulla 
From rare praenomen Tullus; used by Volcatii
Turdus / Turda 
Thrush; used by Papirii
Varro / ? 
Block-head; used by Terentii and others
Varus / Vara 
Bow-legged; used by Atilii, Licinii, Quinctilii, and others
Vatia / ? 
Knock-kneed; used by Servilii and others
Verres / ? 
Pig; used by Cornelii
Vespillo / ? 
Person employed to bury people too poor for a funeral; used by Lucretii
Vetus / Veta 
Old; used by Antistii
Vitulus / Vitula 
Calf or young cow; used by Mamilii, Pomponii, and others
Volusus / Volusa 
From rare praenomen Volusus; used by Valerii
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