Choosing a cognomen
Your cognomen is a family name which would be shared by your blood relatives. Cognomina often refer to a person's appearance or other characteristics, but they do not have to. It is quite common to have a cognomen referring to a place of birth, a job, or some other thing which distinguished the person (usually an ancestor) who first bore that cognomen. If you want to know the meaning of a cognomen on the list below, you can find most of them explained <<here>>.
Almost everyone has a cognomen, and it is difficult to distinguish different families within a gens unless cognomina are used. However, strictly speaking, cognomina are not compulsory. If you don't choose one now, you will still be able to add one later.
To help you choose a cognomen, there is a list of them in the "Cognomen" menu below from which you may choose. But this is not a complete list - the Romans often created new cognomina, and if you want to have one which is not on the list we will be happy to discuss this with you. To do this, choose one of these four options from the "Cognomen" menu: "Geographical cognomen", "Occupational cognomen", "Latinized name", or "Other".
A "Geographical cognomen" is one which refers to the place where you come from. An "Occupational cognomen" is one which refers to your job or occupation. A "Latinized name" is a Latin form of your own name, which you can use as cognomen: this can be either your surname or your first name, or both. "Other" includes many other Latin words which can be used as cognomina. If you choose one of these four options, we will get in touch with you to suggest a suitable cognomen. If you have any suggestions or comments to help us suggest a suitable cognomen, please use the "comments, questions, and suggestions" box.
In some cases it may be appropriate to have more than one cognomen. This is normally only allowed where you choose the "Latinized name" option, but may also be appropriate if you are joining a family which contains a large number of people who all have the same nomen and cognomen. If you think you have a good reason to want more than one cognomen, please say which cognomina you would like, and your reasons for wanting more than one, in the "comments, questions, and suggestions" box.
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 was 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 and the Lex Fabia 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 / ?
- Eagle
- 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 stutters; 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 meaning "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 Tullii 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. Cognomen of gens Valeria
- Corvus / Corva
- The crow. Cognomen of gens Valeria
- Cossus / Cossa
- From archaic praenomen 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/potter.
- 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 (likely a cape; Gk. khlaina). Cognomen 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 Mamercus, 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 flatters the people. This is an older 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/Big Dipper; 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
