Modern parents have stepped into the wayback machine to revive Henry and Oliver. But some have gone farther, all the way back to ancient times. Today’s choice comes to us from that collection, but brings with him a surprisingly modern sound.
Thanks to Bek for suggesting our Name of the Day: Titus.
Yesterday we covered Priscilla, a noble Roman name found in the New Testament. Titus shares her pedigree.
The Emperor Titus ruled from the years 79 to 81. A successful military commander before assuming the throne, Titus’ reign was cut short when he died of a fever. Saint Titus was a companion of the apostle Paul. Based on the number of bearers in the historical record, it appears that Titus was quite common in the ancient world. In addition to the emperor and the saint listed above, there’s also:
- Banker and supporter of the arts and letters Titus Pomponius Atticus. He’s not a household name, but you’ll recognize his best friend – Cicero. Cicero’s treatise on friendship, De Amicitia, was dedicated to Titus.
- While we know him as Livy, the historian was born Titus Livius.
- Fictional Titus Pullo appears on HBO’s series Rome. He’s loosely based on a Roman soldier mentioned in some historical accounts.
Others hear Titus and think immediately of Shakespeare. The Bard’s Titus Andronicus chronicles a Roman general’s destructive, bloodthirsty feud with Tamora, Queen of the Goths.
There’s no consensus about his origins, but the best theory is that it comes from titulus – title of honor. This might make it the rough equivalent of naming a modern boy King or Earl, but it’s quite a subtle – and unproven – link.
What’s certain is that Titus has been revived by daring parents over the ages. Rembrandt van Rijn chose it for his son, and the child is captured in many of his father’s works.
Titus became a surname along the way. Silas Titus fought in the Union Army during the Civil War, and went on to become a founding father and prominent citizen of Syracuse, New York.
More recently, you might recall comedian Christopher Titus’ FOX edgy sitcom, Titus. While the show is history, he continues to perform on the stand-up circuit.
We can find plenty of men called Titus in the US Census records from the 19th century. He never reached as high as other choices like Virgil or Homer, but appeared in the US Top 1000 several times in the 1880s and 90s.
But Titus’ reign really begins in the year 1960. While he’s usually been at the fringes, it is safe to say that Titus has been steadily in use since that time. Today, he ranks #500. That puts him at his most popular in centuries.
Two factors are in favor of a Titus revival. We’ve mentioned the fashionable nature of Roman names before. Titus is also advantaged by his easy nickname – Ty. Like Cash/Cassius, it’s an appealing compromise between the fleeting and the enduring. With Tyler ranking #21, Ty #237, Tyson #269 and Tyrone, Tyree, Tyrese and Tyrell also charting in 2007, it’s easy to imagine that parents might love the sound, but long for something more classic. Titus more than fits the bill.
enzian says
February 24, 2010 at 9:27 AMThe awesomely-named actor Titus Welliver played Silas Adams (the awesome continues) on Deadwood and had a small role as The Man in Black / Jacob’s nemesis in Lost at the end of season 5.
appellationmountain says
February 24, 2010 at 10:25 AMOooh … a Titus playing a Silas – love it!
Sara says
August 29, 2009 at 6:22 AMMy son’s name is Titus. When we were searching for names, the books we read gave the name the meaning “Giant”. I am 5’9″ and my husband is 6’4″ so the name seemed fitting for who we felt Titus might be physically and who we hoped he might be in character and spirit. So far he’s off the charts for height and with his stocky build, blue eyes framed with long black lashes, and curly blonde hair, he looks like he could be a child of the Roman gods. (Not that I’m biased.) His sweet and friendly disposition seals the deal – Titus is a fantastic name.
appellationmountain says
August 31, 2009 at 12:46 AMI’m sure he’s a doll, Sara! 😉 And I’m glad his name suits him so well. I quite like Titus!
And I envy you your height! I’m a shrimp, and both of my kids are on track to tower over me.
The Fuss (Jennifer) says
November 27, 2008 at 5:08 PMTitus has grown on me over the months. It has a zippy, fun feel to it while still being rather serious and manly. If anything, that’s the one downfall to me. It’s almost a little too manly, a little superhero-ish. Still, I love its pedigree. And any name that slightly borders on over-the-top always appeals to me.
In that way, Bek, I guess Titus is similar to Priscilla. Historical and biblical pedigree, over-the-top feel and a first syllable that turns most people off. LOL.
Shannon says
November 27, 2008 at 3:46 PMI can see the appeal.. don’t think I’d use it though. I think I like Cassius better!
Emmy Jo says
November 27, 2008 at 9:28 AMI really like Titus. It falls into the “biblical names that I don’t understand why they aren’t used more often” category.
The only drawback I see to this name (and the thing that makes me hesitate to use it) is that it sounds almost like “tight a**.”
YW says
June 17, 2015 at 10:58 AMHa…my ‘little’ bro…now 37..got ‘tight a**’ nickname in high school but only from his best buds and not bullies. He also got even more from everyone: ‘Tidy Bowl’…which makes less sense but was the name I remember him being called the most starting as far back as Kindergarten. I think little kids don’t think that way.
A co-worker recently used it for his son and said he loved it in part because it is ‘nickname-proof’. I didn’t let him know the above of course.
My is name Yetta and I was surprised when at 32 someone said ‘ha..like Yeti’. You’d think someone would have thought of that when I was a kid/teen (or that I’d have thought of it myself) but as a kid I had no nicknames at all until Star Wars came out and then kids occasionally called me Yoda. Then another show came out and now I get constantly ‘Grandma Yetta’ (from a tv show The Nanny). Also since the show came out many people when first meet me think I’m from a Jewish family but my parents knew a Henrietta (way back in 1970s) whose nickname was Yetta and they gave me a ‘nickname’ name! This is totally their thing for girls, because my older sister is named (*gasp*)…GIDGET.
Bek says
November 26, 2008 at 6:21 PMOh, meant to add that I usually find this name is either loved or hated… no real grays on this one. haha.
Bek says
November 26, 2008 at 6:20 PMI’d never use Ty… I find it a bit too juvenile or something, plus with an awesome name like Titus, why blend into all the Ty’s running around?
A lot of people mention the first three letters things, but honestly, they are said differently and it disappears for me…
I’ve never read Titus Andronicus… Or heard of the comedian… haha. But, honestly, neither of those really bug me. I mean, there are plenty of literary and film “villians” and associations. If I were to go around ruling them all out, Id be short on names. haha. The Rembrandt connection is cool, I hadn’t known that before. That’s why I love NOTD – always opening up new ways of seeing names and shedding light on some names I’m not so familiar with. For me, the association is pretty much 100% Biblical, a connection I’m wonderfully comfortable with.
Lola says
November 26, 2008 at 4:27 PMthere’s an i up there that should be with an s, to make is. And an firt that should be first! *Sigh* I wish I could edit. I can’t spell and I always miss something!
Lola says
November 26, 2008 at 4:25 PMI’d use it in the middle, if my other half could get past the firt three lietters (yes, he’s quite juvenile at times) Christopher Titus s my first assocation too, with Andronicus second. As Julius is a love, I don’t have a problem with Andronicus much. Christopher bugs me, but not enough to make want to take it off my lists. I could call him Ty, since it’s his first syllable, but honestly? Titus is so fun to say in full, why would I want to? But there are other ancient names that appeal more, Cassius, Remus, Cicero, Tiberius. But maybe for Rembrandt. A favorite artist of mine. I have several of his prints in the house. Like I said, almost definitely in the middle, for me! Titus rocks, large!
Cat says
November 26, 2008 at 4:05 PMI don’t like Chris Titus, which is my first association with the name. He bothered the pants off of me, and this is just one -us name I can’t warm to. I much prefer Titian, after my favorite Renaissance artist, but wouldn’t use it since it’s quite…pretentious.
Katharine says
November 26, 2008 at 3:59 PMMy mind immediately jumps to Titus Andronicus when I hear this, which is unfortunate as it’s easily my least favourite of Shakespeare’s plays. A play full of revenge, killings, insanity, rape and cannibalism it doesn’t endear me to the name Titus. And even if I can put Titus Andronicus to one side, I’m afraid I can’t overlook the fact that the first three letters of Titus are Tit – I just couldn’t do it to a little boy!
rockingfetal says
November 26, 2008 at 3:36 PMI love Titus (now). But please don’t call him Ty!