"priceless one, beyond praise"
Origin: Latin Antonius (Etruscan origin)
Language: Latin
Antony
Pronunciation: [ ANT-uhn-ee ]
Boy Name
#1,780 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
The timeless name of Roman generals and beloved saints
English
Italian
Roman
Spanish
Classic
Strong
Traditional
Literary
Formal
Meaning & Origin
"flower (disputed folk etymology)"
Origin: Greek anthos
Language: Greek
The Story of Antony
Antony is the older English spelling of Anthony, derived from the Roman family name Antonius. The most famous bearer was Mark Antony (Marcus Antonius, 83–30 BC), Julius Caesar's general and ally who fell in love with Cleopatra. The name entered widespread use through the early Christian church via Saint Anthony of Padua (1195–1231), patron saint of lost things, whose veneration made the name ubiquitous across Catholic Europe. The 'h' in Anthony is a later scholarly addition mistakenly linking the name to the Greek word 'anthos' (flower).
Antony has remained consistently popular across centuries, sustained by Saint Anthony of Padua's massive cult following and the fame of Mark Antony. The Shakespearean play Antony and Cleopatra (1607) kept the classical spelling in literary circulation. Today the 'h'-less spelling is most common in British and Italian contexts.
In Catholic culture, Saint Anthony of Padua is among the most beloved saints globally, particularly in Portugal, Italy, and Latin America. June 13, his feast day, is a major celebration in Lisbon. Mark Antony remains one of history's most romantic and tragic figures, immortalized by Shakespeare.
Fun Facts
- Saint Anthony of Padua is one of the fastest canonized saints in history, declared a saint just one year after his death
- Mark Antony's relationship with Cleopatra inspired Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, written around 1607
- The 'h' in Anthony was mistakenly added by Renaissance scholars who wrongly connected it to the Greek 'anthos' meaning flower
Antony in Other Languages
Arabic
أنطونيو
French
Antoine
German
Anton
Italian
Antonio
Russian
Антон
Spanish
Antonio
Portuguese
António
Famous People Named Antony
M
Mark Antony
Military
Roman general and statesman (83–30 BC), ally of Julius Caesar and lover of Cleopatra, immortalized by Shakespeare
S
Saint Anthony of Padua
Religious
Franciscan friar and Doctor of the Church (1195–1231), patron saint of lost things and one of the most popular Catholic ...
Franciscan friar and Doctor of the Church (1195–1231), patron saint of lost things and one of the most popular Catholic saints
A
Antony and Cleopatra Fictional
Other
Titular characters of Shakespeare's 1607 tragedy about the doomed love between the Roman general and the Egyptian queen
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,780
- Total SSA Count
- 92
- Cultural Origins
- English Italian Roman Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Tony
Ant
Tone
Pairs Well With
Antony James
Antony John
Antony Michael
Antony David
Antony William
Antony Edward
Antony Charles
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Antony and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Antony sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Frequently Asked Questions About Antony
What does the name Antony mean?
"priceless one, beyond praise" (from Latin Antonius (Etruscan origin)). "flower (disputed folk etymology)" (from Greek anthos). Antony is the older English spelling of Anthony, derived from the Roman family name Antonius. The most famous bearer was Mark Antony (Marcus Antonius, 83–30 BC), Julius Caesar's general and ally who fell in love with Cleopatra. The name entered widespread use through the early Christian church via Saint Anthony of Padua (1195–1231), patron saint of lost things, whose veneration made the name ubiquitous across Catholic Europe. The 'h' in Anthony is a later scholarly addition mistakenly linking the name to the Greek word 'anthos' (flower).
What is the origin of the name Antony?
Antony has Latin Antonius (Etruscan origin), Greek anthos, English, Italian, Roman, and Spanish origins. In Latin Antonius (Etruscan origin), it means "priceless one, beyond praise". In Greek anthos, it means "flower (disputed folk etymology)".
Is Antony a boy or girl name?
Antony is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Antony?
Antony is pronounced ANT-uhn-ee.
How popular is the name Antony?
Antony is currently ranked #1780 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Antony?
Common nicknames for Antony include Tony, Ant, and Tone.
What are good middle names for Antony?
Popular middle name pairings include Antony James, Antony John, Antony Michael, Antony David, Antony William, Antony Edward, and Antony Charles.
What are good sibling names for Antony?
Names that pair well with Antony as siblings include Victoria, Eleanor, Sebastian, Charlotte, William, Cecilia, and Julian.
How many syllables does Antony have?
Antony has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Antony a common or rare name?
Antony is an uncommon name, ranked #1780 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Antony
Antony is a boy name with English, Italian, Roman, and Spanish origins . The name means "priceless one, beyond praise" in Latin Antonius (Etruscan origin) .
Antony is currently ranked #1,780 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Antony has 3 syllables and is pronounced ANT-uhn-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Antony include Tony, Ant, and Tone. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Antony include Antonio, Anton, Antoine, Antoni, Antonino . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.