Efisio is an Italian male given name, especially common in Sardinia. It derives from the Late Roman byname Ephesius, meaning "from Ephesus" in Latin. Ephesus was a prominent ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia (modern-day Turkey), known for its Temple of Artemis and its early Christian community.The name is primarily associated with Saint Efisio, a 4th-century Christian martyr. According to tradition, Efisio was a Roman soldier who was tortured and beheaded near Cagliari, Sardinia, around 303 AD during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian. His relics were later discovered, and he became the patron saint of Cagliari and is widely venerated across Sardinia.The cult of Saint Efisio is central to Sardinian religious identity. The Sagra di Sant'Efisio (Feast of Saint Efisio) is one of the island's largest festival, held every May 1 in Cagliari, featuring an elaborate procession that retraces the saint's path to martyrdom. The name Efisio itself is deeply tied to Sardinian culture, almost exclusively used there, with the local variant Efisiu occasionally found in Sardinian language texts.EtymologyThe Latin name Ephesius originally referred to a person from Ephesus. It was a byname adopted by individuals of Greek origin (from Ἔφεσος, Ephesos) and later used by Roman families. Over time, it passed into Italian via ecclesiastical Latin as Efisio, following common phonetic changes (removal of the -s- and shortening in popular usage).Related FormsThe Late Roman male name Ephesius is the direct predecessor of Efisio. No significant female derivatives or modern variants exist, underscoring its specific cultic and regional nature.Meaning: From EphesusOrigin: Latin Ephesius (Greek source)Type: Given nameUsage regions: Italy, principally Sardinia