Roman Names

Marcus Flavius Aquila How Roman Names Worked The Roman word for “name” was “nomen”---like you see on your class handouts and tests. Roman men usually had 3 names: Marcus Flavius Aquila

Would never address him by “Marcus” How Roman Names Worked The first name was the PRAENOMEN (think “pre-name”) This was his “personal” name, used by family and close friends Would never address him by “Marcus” Marcus Flavius Aquila

Would also be a “Flavius” as his dad’s brother How Roman Names Worked The second name was the NOMEN This was his family name. It worked like our “last names” work today Marcus Flavius Aquila Would also be a “Flavius” as his dad’s brother

He’s just “Esca.” He’s not Roman. But wait… How Roman Names Worked The third name was the COGNOMEN This told what particular branch of your family you were. Marcus Flavius Aquila He’s just “Esca.” He’s not Roman. But wait…

Wouldn’t be happy to know Esca got a cool new Roman name. How Roman Names Worked Freed slaves often took the praenomen and nomen of their masters, and used their original name as a cognomen. Wouldn’t be happy to know Esca got a cool new Roman name. Marcus Flavius Esca

How Roman Names Worked: Girls Girls used the feminine form of their father’s nomen. Nicknames could be added. Her name would be “Flavia” if she were Marcus’ sister or daughter. Marcus Flavius Aquila= Flavia

Make Your Roman Name! Put your Roman name on 1 side of the card and your real name on the other side and turn in to Mrs. Sellers! GIRLS: Pick 1 NOMEN and change the –us to –a Pick 1 COGNOMEN (Female Form) Put them in that order BOYS: Pick 1 PRAENOMEN Pick 1 NOMEN Pick 1 COGNOMEN (Male Form) Put them in that order.