Anthony

Pronunciation: [ ANTH-uhn-ee ]

Boy Name #44 Most Popular Steady 3 Syllables

From Roman emperors to the patron saint of lost things

English Italian Spanish French Irish

Classic Strong Traditional Royal Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"Priceless; of inestimable worth"

Origin: Latin

Language: Latin

"priceless one, of inestimable worth"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

"flower"

Origin: Greek

Language: Greek

"from the Antonius Roman family"

Origin: Roman

Language: Latin

The Story of Anthony

Anthony derives from the Roman family name Antonius, whose exact etymology is debated. The most common interpretation is that it comes from the Greek 'anthos' meaning 'flower' or 'priceless', though some scholars connect it to Etruscan roots. The name gained widespread use through Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the most popular saints in the Catholic tradition.

Anthony has been a consistent top-10 name in the US for most of the 20th and 21st centuries, driven by its strength in Italian-American, Latino, and Catholic communities. The name has never been trendy because it never stopped being popular — it's a cornerstone name that each generation inherits.

Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) is the patron saint of lost articles and the poor, making him one of the most prayed-to saints worldwide. Marc Antony, the Roman general and lover of Cleopatra, gave the name its imperial gravitas. The spelling 'Anthony' (with the H) became standard in English through Renaissance humanists who falsely connected it to Greek 'anthos'.

Fun Facts

The 'H' in Anthony was added in the Renaissance based on a false connection to Greek — the original Latin had no H
Saint Anthony of Padua is the patron saint of lost articles, making him one of the most prayed-to saints
Mark Antony, the famous Roman general, lived from 83-30 BC and his story inspired Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra

Anthony in Other Languages

Arabic أنتوني

French Antoine

German Anton

Italian Antonio

Russian Антон

Spanish Antonio

Portuguese António

Famous People Named Anthony

Anthony Bourdain

Other

1956

American chef, author, and television host whose travel food shows Parts Unknown brought world cultures to American livi...

American chef, author, and television host whose travel food shows Parts Unknown brought world cultures to American living rooms

Anthony Hopkins

Actor

1937

Welsh-American Academy Award-winning actor famous for portraying Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs

Mark Antony

Military

Roman general and politician, ally of Julius Caesar and lover of Cleopatra, subject of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatr...

Roman general and politician, ally of Julius Caesar and lover of Cleopatra, subject of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra (83-30 BC)

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #44
Total SSA Count: 6,326
Cultural Origins: English Italian Spanish French Irish
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Tony Ant Tone

Pairs Well With

Anthony James Anthony Michael Anthony Robert Anthony William Anthony Joseph Anthony Paul Anthony John

Sibling Names

Michael Joseph Nicholas Maria Catherine Sophia Marco

Also a Girl Name

Anthony is also used as a girl name, ranked #13683.

View Anthony as a girl name →

Similar Names

Anton Antonio Antoine Antony Santino Antoni Alonso Artemio

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Frequently Asked Questions About Anthony

What does the name Anthony mean?

"Priceless; of inestimable worth" (from Latin). "priceless one, of inestimable worth" (from Latin). "flower" (from Greek). "from the Antonius Roman family" (from Roman). Anthony derives from the Roman family name Antonius, whose exact etymology is debated. The most common interpretation is that it comes from the Greek 'anthos' meaning 'flower' or 'priceless', though some scholars connect it to Etruscan roots. The name gained widespread use through Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the most popular saints in the Catholic tradition.

What is the origin of the name Anthony?

Anthony has Latin, Greek, Roman, English, Italian, Spanish, French, and Irish origins. In Latin, it means "Priceless; of inestimable worth". In Latin, it means "priceless one, of inestimable worth". In Greek, it means "flower". In Roman, it means "from the Antonius Roman family".

Is Anthony a boy or girl name?

Anthony is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #44. As a girl name, it is ranked #13683. Anthony is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Anthony?

Anthony is pronounced ANTH-uhn-ee.

How popular is the name Anthony?

Anthony is currently ranked #44 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Anthony?

Common nicknames for Anthony include Tony, Ant, and Tone.

What are good middle names for Anthony?

Popular middle name pairings include Anthony James, Anthony Michael, Anthony Robert, Anthony William, Anthony Joseph, Anthony Paul, and Anthony John.

What are good sibling names for Anthony?

Names that pair well with Anthony as siblings include Michael, Joseph, Nicholas, Maria, Catherine, Sophia, and Marco.

How many syllables does Anthony have?

Anthony has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Anthony a common or rare name?

Anthony is a very popular name, ranked #44 among boy names in the United States.

About the Name Anthony

Anthony is a boy name with English, Italian, Spanish, French, and Irish origins . The name means "Priceless; of inestimable worth" in Latin .

Is Anthony a boy or girl name? Anthony is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #44 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #13,683. Anthony is more commonly used as a boy name.

Anthony is currently ranked #44 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Anthony has 3 syllables and is pronounced ANTH-uhn-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Anthony include Tony, Ant, and Tone. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.