Origin: |
Roman is a modern form of the Late Latin name Romanus, literally meaning "a Roman" or "a citizen of Rome." |
Usage: |
The name Romanus has been recorded in use from at least the 3rd century and was particularly borne by several notable men in the early Christian Church: * Aquila Romanus was a 3rd century Latin grammarian. Four Byzantine Emperors also answered to the name: * Romanos I Lekapenos, ruled 920–944. The name continued to be used in the nobility of Eastern Europe through to the 18th century. The modern form Roman was in use in Germany, Spain (as Román) and England in small numbers from the 16th century. The modern French form Romain dates from the same time.* England and Wales In the 19th century, Roman was rare in use in England and Wales. Romany (unisex), Romano and Romana were also in use in small numbers at this time. By the 1940s, Roman increased in use thanks to immigration from Poland, the Czech Republic and other Eastern European countries. Records for Roman in the England and Wales Birth Index: 1840s: 0 births From 1996 to 2002, Roman had no more than 55 births in any given year putting it below the top 400. In 2003, it jumped up to #241 (132 births) and proceeded to intermittently and gradually rise until it finally reached the top 100 for the first time in 2015 at #88 with 763 births. It might be worth noting that 2003 coincided with release of the film 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) with Tyrese Gibson playing the role of Roman Pearce. The character would later appear in the fifth (2011), sixth (2013), seventh (2015) and eighth (2017) instalment of the franchise. In 2016, Roman ranked #92 with 737 births in England and Wales. The regional statistics for Roman in 2016 highlights how it most common in the Midlands and the North:
Europe From ranking #63 in 1935, Roman has consistently been in the top 100 of the Czech Republic. It was in the top 20 from 1961-1990 and the top 10 from 1964-1976. It peaked at #6 in 1969 and 1970. Similarly, Roman ranked in the top 100 in Switzerland from 1961 to 2002, peaking at #28 in 1984. Roman was also in the top 100 of Austria throughout the 1990s and in the top 20 in Moscow in 2013 and 2014. The French form, Romain, ranked in the top 100 of France from 1973 to 2014, peaking at #3 in 1987. In Belgium, Romain was #28 in 2000 and, though declining, has remained in the top 100 since. |
Famous Bearers: |
History: * Roman of Bulgaria (c.930s-997), Tsar of Bulgaria. Contemporary: * Roman Toi (born 1916), Estonian composer. Literature and Other Media: * Roman Pearce, character in The Fast and the Furious series. |
Variants: |
Román (Spanish), Romain (French), Romano (Italian), Romão (Portuguese), Romein (Dutch) |
Pronunciation: |
RŌ-mən [key] |
Possible diminutives: |
Ro, Rom, Rome |
Sibling Names: |
Felicity Lydia Zara Francesca Aurora Maya |
Name Lists: |
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Thanks to Vari for requesting this name.