Roman Praenomina

• Appius (Ap.) — only used by gens Claudia.
• Aulus (A.) or Olus.
• Caelus — from Etruscan Caele.
• Decius — associated with the gens Minatia.
• Decimus (D.) — “tenth”.
• Faustus — “lucky” an archaic praenomen revived by the dictator Sulla for his twin children. Used by his descendants ever after. Uncommon.
• Flavius — from flavus (“golden”), imperial praenomen after the 3rd century. The name survived into the eighth century AD.
• Gaius (C.) — often written as “Caius”, because it was originally spelled that way before C and G were separated. From Etruscan Cae or Cai, meaning unknown.
• Gnaeus (Cn.) — often written as “Cnaeus”.
• Kaeso (K.) or Caeso — “Cut from the womb”. Uncommon. Only used by gens Fabia.
• Lucius (L.) — common.
• Mamercus (Mam.) — from Etruscan Mamerce. Associated with gens Aemilia Lepida.
• Manius (M'.) — “Morning”. Uncommon, “M'.” often confused with “M.”
• Marcus (M.) — from Etruscan Marce, meaning unknown. There may be a connection with Mars if he turns out to be of Etruscan origin. Common.
• Mettius — from Etruscan Metie.
• Numerius (N.) — from Etruscan Numesie, associated with gens Fabia.
• Octavianus (O.) — “eight”.
• Publius (P.) — from publius (“public”), common, originally Etruscan Puplie. Latin populace is probably from the same Etruscan word, as Pupluna became Populonia in Latin.
• Quintus (Q. or Qu.) — “fifth”. Common.
• Secundus — “second”.
• Septimus (Sept.) — “seventh”.
• Servius (S. or Ser.) — from servo (“to preserve”); uncommon.
• Sextus (Sex.) — “sixth”.
• Spurius (Sp.) — from spurius (“of illegitimate birth”).
• Tertius — “third”.
• Tiberius (Ti.) — from Etruscan Thefarie, probably from the river; common.
• Titus (T.) — from Etruscan Tite, meaning unknown. The spurious Indo-European derivation, titulus (“title of honor”), is a superseded theory. Common.

Other, uncommon praenomina include

• Amulius
• Agrippa — “Born feet first”.
• Arruns — Of Etruscan origin.
• Camillus — Only used by gens Furia and gens Arruntia combined. Better known as a cognomen.
• Canus
• Cossus
• Drusus — Only used by gens Claudia.
• Gallus
• Herius — Only used by gens Asinia.
• Hostus
• Lar(s) — Of Etruscan origin.
• Marcellus. More commonly known as a cognomen
• Nonus — “Ninth”.
• Opiter — Associated with gens Verginia.
• Oppius
• Paul(l)us
• Postumius — “Born after (his father's) death”.
• Potitus
• Primus — “First”.
• Proc(u)lus
• Sisenna
• Tullus
• Vel — Of Etruscan origin.
• Vibius
• Vopiscus — At early times associated with gens Claudia.