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Generators > Medieval > Old Roman

Old Roman Character Name Generator

Rome wasn’t built in a day — and neither is a good name. If you’re looking for Old Roman names, this Roman name generator is built to be a starting point! Each name is computer-generated and we encourage you to do further research on naming traditions and meanings for your exact region.

Fabricius Hispaniensis

First name means: "Smith, or a craftsman."

Paschalis Corvus

First name means: "Passover."

Irene Balbus

First name means: "Peace."

Gracilis Senator

First name means: "Slender."

Phocas Lentulus

First name means: "Seal."

The history and origin behind Roman names

Take a moment to consider names like Aurelia, Cassius, and Octavia. Roman names don’t just sound powerful—they carry the weight of empire, philosophy, and myth. But what exactly makes a name feel “Roman”?

In ancient Rome, names followed a distinctive and formulaic structure: the tria nomina, or three-name system. This included a praenomen (personal name), nomen (clan or family name), and cognomen (often a nickname or inherited title). So someone like Gaius Julius Caesar had:


Gaius – his personal name
Julius – his gens or clan
Caesar – his family line, or earned name

Names were often chosen to signal status, virtue, or legacy. Some were tied to mythology (Faustus = “fortunate”), birth order (Quintus = fifth), or physical traits (Rufus = red-haired). Over time, the system evolved and simplified—but the impact of Roman names echoes through modern naming traditions around the world.

So you want to create good Roman names?

Roman names carry centuries of meaning and structure. Using one thoughtfully can add a layer of authenticity and weight to your worldbuilding.

Here are a few tips for working with Roman names:

  • Understand the tria nomina. Most elite Roman men had three names: praenomen (first name), nomen (clan name), and cognomen (family or nickname). Example: Marcus Tullius Cicero.

  • Use gendered endings. Female names typically ended in -a, and were often feminized forms of family names: Julia, Claudia, Cornelia. Women rarely had a praenomen—identity was clan-first.

  • Cognomen = personality. The cognomen often described a trait (Cicero = “chickpea,” possibly for a facial feature), a conquest, or a family branch. It adds flavor, and can suggest class, legacy, or reputation.

  • Borrow from Latin roots. Roman names often carry Latin meanings that evoke virtue (Justus = just), strength (Valeria = strong), or divine traits (Lucius = light).

  • Think like a Roman. Names weren’t just identifiers—they were political, familial, and aspirational. Choose a name that says something about your character’s place in the world.

Whatever character you're building, this Roman name generator will help you channel the power of the Empire!

10 Roman names for inspiration

Here are 10 Roman names—some based on real historical figures, some drawn from classical roots—to inspire you:

Roman Name Meaning / Origin Gender
Gaius Joyful, common praenomen Male
Aurelia Golden, noble family name Female
Lucius Light Male
Octavia Eighth-born, imperial dynasty Female
Cassius Vain or empty (later noble line) Male
Cornelia Belonging to the Cornelii gens Female
Tiberius Of the Tiber River Male
Livia Olive tree / related to Livii Female
Maximus Greatest, often a cognomen Male
Domitia From the Domitii clan Female

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RBE | Illustration — We made a writing app for you | 2024-02

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