Roman Name Meaning: Facts, Pronunciation & Similar Names

If you are looking for the perfect name for your child, Roman may be right for you. Roman is a given name that was rarely found in past centuries but has a rich history and is very popular in modern times. Here you can learn about the background of the name, its variants, and much more.

What Does Roman Mean?

The name Roman means “of Rome” or “man from Rome.” It originally referred to a citizen of the Roman Empire or to someone who belonged to Roman or Byzantine culture.

It can also mean “powerful man” or “famous man” according to its Germanic roots.

What is the Origin of the Name Roman?

The name originates from the Latin cognomen Romanus and Romanos of the same meaning ⁽¹⁾. All three names are derivatives of Romulus, the namesake of Rome and one of its apocryphal co-founders.

It also became popular in Eastern European countries due to the lingering influence of the Byzantine Empire in those regions. It is also a Romanized form of the Old Germanic words “hrōþi-” meaning “glorious” or “renowned” and “mann” meaning “man.”

How Popular is the Name Roman?

Roman has been used as a given name since the fifth century CE. It was the name of several medieval Eastern European royalty and Christian saints.

As a given name, Roman was rare in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries but shot up in popularity in the 2000s. Celebrities such as Cate Blanchett, Debra Messing, and Francis Ford Coppola have given this name to their children, contributing to its modern popularity.

At the moment, the name Roman is very popular. It is the seventy-first most popular name given to baby boys ⁽²⁾.

How Do I Pronounce Roman?

The name Roman is pronounced, “ROH-mehn”.

Is Roman a Boy or Girl Name?

Roman is most commonly used as a boy’s name. There is no record of Roman being used as a girl’s name, but it does have a feminine variant.

Variations of Roman

Some variations of the name Roman include:

• Román (Hungarian, Spanish)
• Romain (French)
• Romana (Latin, feminine)
• Romano (Italian)
• Romanos (Greek)
• Romanus (Latin)
• Romão (Portuguese)
• Romein (Dutch)
• Romeu (Portuguese)
• Rómulo (Spanish)

Nicknames for Roman

Some possible nicknames for a child named Roman include:

• Manny
• Rom
• Rome
• Romy
• Ron
• Ronny
• Ro
• Roe
• Ro-Ro

Similar Names to Roman

Names that are similar in sound or meaning to Roman include:

• Bowman
• Ewan
• Gordon
• Herman
• Johann
• Logan
• Remus
• Rodman
• Romeo
• Romilly
• Romulus
• Ronan
• Rowan

Middle Names for Roman

Some possible middle names for a child named Roman include:

• Anthony
• Bastian
• Daniel
• Garrett
• Gray
• James
• Joshua
• Lee
• Michael
• Xavier

Sibling Names for Roman

Here are some names that could fit the sibling of a child named Roman.

For a Brother:

• Adrian
• Cassius
• Fabian
• Felix
• Jovian
• Julian
• Marcus
• Max
• Nero
• Titus

For a Sister:

• Aelia
• Augusta
• Camilla
• Claudia
• Lucia
• Mariana
• Octavia
• Portia
• Tatiana
• Valeria

Famous People Named Roman

The name Roman is very popular around the world. Celebrities and well-known public figures who share the name include:

• Saint Roman of Ðunis: Christian saint, also known as Roman the Wonderworker.
• Susan Roman: American voice actress.
• Roman Coppola: American filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer.
• Roman Glick: American bass guitarist.
• Roman Jugg: Welsh keyboard player and guitarist.
• Roman Kemp: English radio host and TV personality.
• Roman Mars: American radio host and producer.
• Roman Mstislavich: Grand Prince of Kyiv, also known as Roman the Great.
• Roman Toi: Estonian-Canadian composer, conductor, and organist.
• Roman Verostko: American artist and educator, known for algorithmic art.
• Roman Yaremchuk: Ukrainian professional footballer.

Roman in Popular Culture

The name Roman appears often in popular culture. Characters and media that feature the name include:

• Roman Armitage: character in the 2017 horror film Get Out.
• Roman Bellic: character in the 2008 action-adventure game Grand Theft Auto IV.
• Roman Bridger: character in the 2000 horror film Scream 3.
• Roman Castevet: character in the 1968 horror film Rosemary’s Baby.
• Roman Godfrey: character in the 2012 horror-thriller novel Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy.
• Roman J. Israel: character in the 2017 legal thriller film Roman J. Israel, Esq.
• Roman Nagel: character in the crime thriller film series Ocean’s Eleven.
• Roman Pearce: character in the action-adventure film series The Fast and the Furious.
• Roman Reigns: ring name of the American professional wrestler Leati Joseph “Joe” Anoa’i.
• Roman Roy: character in the 2018 black comedy-drama series Succession.
• Roman Sionis: character in DC Comics’ Batman comics, also known as Black Mask.
• Roman Torchwick: character in Rooster Teeth’s animated fantasy web series RWBY.
• Roman Zimojic: character in the 2008 supernatural drama TV series True Blood.

Roman FAQs

Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the name Roman.