"citizen of Rome, Roman"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Roman
Pronunciation: [ r-OHM-uhn ]
Does Roman flow with your last name?
Ancient Roman power in a sleek, modern two-syllable package
Latin
English
Polish
Russian
French
Strong
Classic
Sophisticated
Bold
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Roman
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Roman
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"strong, powerful one"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Roman
See all →What the Roman report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Roman the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Roman
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Roman head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Roman actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with film director Roman Polanski (convicted of statutory rape, 1977)
The Story of Roman
Roman derives from the Latin Romanus, meaning citizen of Rome. The name carries the full weight of the Roman Empire—law, architecture, language, and the foundations of Western civilization. It became a Christian name through Saint Roman of Antioch, martyred in the 3rd century under Emperor Diocletian. The name has been used continuously in Eastern Europe—particularly Poland and Russia where it has been popular for centuries—while experiencing a strong revival in Western countries in the 21st century.
Roman entered the US top 200 in the early 2000s and climbed steadily into the top 100 by the 2010s. This reflects the broader trend toward strong, classically masculine names that feel simultaneously ancient and contemporary. Celebrity use—including Cate Blanchett naming her son Roman—has boosted its profile considerably.
In Polish and Russian culture, Roman has been a beloved traditional name for centuries, borne by kings, poets, and saints. It evokes the grandeur and civilization of ancient Rome, and carries implicit associations with strength, law, and order—qualities the Roman Empire represented at its height.
Historical Record
Roman first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 91,409 babies have been named Roman in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Roman is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #52 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Roman numerals are still used on clock faces, Super Bowl designations, and movie sequel numbering
- Roman Holiday (1953) starring Audrey Hepburn became one of cinema's most beloved romantic films
- Roman is consistently in the top 10 boys' names in Russia and Poland, where it has been popular for centuries
Roman in Other Languages
Greek
Ρωμανός
French
Romain
Polish
Roman
Italian
Romano
Russian
Роман
Spanish
Román
Popularity Over Time
#52
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Roman
R
Roman Holiday
Musician
1988
Stage name is used by various artists; Roman Holiday is also an influential film
R
Roman Reigns
Entertainer
1985
American professional wrestler and multi-time WWE Universal Champion, one of the biggest stars in modern wrestling
R
Roman Polanski
Other
1933
Polish-French film director known for Rosemary's Baby and Chinatown; convicted of statutory rape in 1977
R
Roman Roy Fictional
Other
The youngest Roy sibling in HBO's award-winning drama Succession, played by Kieran Culkin
R
Roman Brady Fictional
Other
Heroic lead character on the long-running US soap opera Days of Our Lives, police commander and patriarch
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #52
- Total SSA Count
- 5,474
- Cultural Origins
- Latin English Polish Russian French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Rome
Ro
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Roman
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Roman fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Roman is also used as a girl name, ranked #5058.
View Roman as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Roman →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Roman with...
Same Origin Names (Latin)
See all Latin names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Roman
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Roman and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Roman 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
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Brody
Boy
Scottish Gaelic origin
"muddy place, ditch"
#224 in US
Thomas
Boy
Aramaic origin
"twin"
#39 in US
Kaiden
Boy
Old Irish (Aodhán) origin
"little fire"
#207 in US
Patrick
Boy
Latin origin
"noble Roman citizen"
#221 in US
Henry
Boy
Old High German origin
"ruler of the homeland"
#6 in US
Cooper
Boy
Old French origin
"cask maker, craftsman"
#50 in US
Silas
Boy
Latin silva origin
"wood, forest; man of the forest"
#81 in US
Emmett
Boy
Germanic origin
"universal, whole"
#119 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Roman's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roman
What does the name Roman mean?
"citizen of Rome, Roman" (from Latin). "strong, powerful one" (from Latin). Roman derives from the Latin Romanus, meaning citizen of Rome. The name carries the full weight of the Roman Empire—law, architecture, language, and the foundations of Western civilization. It became a Christian name through Saint Roman of Antioch, martyred in the 3rd century under Emperor Diocletian. The name has been used continuously in Eastern Europe—particularly Poland and Russia where it has been popular for centuries—while experiencing a strong revival in Western countries in the 21st century.
What is the origin of the name Roman?
Roman has Latin, English, Polish, Russian, and French origins. In Latin, it means "citizen of Rome, Roman". In Latin, it means "strong, powerful one".
Is Roman a boy or girl name?
Roman is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #52. As a girl name, it is ranked #5058. Roman is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Roman?
Roman is pronounced r-OHM-uhn.
How popular is the name Roman?
Roman is currently ranked #52 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Roman?
Common nicknames for Roman include Rome.
What are good middle names for Roman?
Popular middle name pairings include Roman James, Roman Alexander, Roman Michael, Roman John, Roman David, Roman Charles, and Roman Edward.
What are good sibling names for Roman?
Names that pair well with Roman as siblings include Olivia, Sophia, Julius, Leo, Helena, Maximus, and Aurora.
How many syllables does Roman have?
Roman has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Roman a common or rare name?
Roman is a very popular name, ranked #52 among boy names in the United States.
What boy names are similar to Roman?
About the Name Roman
Roman is a boy name with Latin, English, Polish, Russian, and French origins . The name means "citizen of Rome, Roman" in Latin .
Is Roman a boy or girl name? Roman is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #52 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #5,058. Roman is more commonly used as a boy name.
Roman is currently ranked #52 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Roman has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-OHM-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Roman include Rome and Ro. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Roman include Romari, Romario, Romani . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Latin Names
Browse all names with this origin
R
Names Starting with R
More boy names like Roman
Classic Names
Well-known names that stand the test of time
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis