Julius is a masculine given name derived from the Roman family name Julius, a prominent patrician gens of ancient Rome. The name's etymology is uncertain, with two main theories: it may come from Greek ἴουλος (ioulos) meaning "downy-bearded," referencing youthful facial hair, or it could be related to the Roman god Jupiter, via the Latin Jovilius meaning "devoted to Jove." The family claimed descent from the mythological Julus, son of the Trojan hero Aeneas. The most famous bearer is Gaius Julius Caesar, the military leader who conquered Gaul, became dictator of the Roman Republic, and was assassinated in 44 BC. Etymology and History The name Julius was borne by several early Christian saints, including Pope Julius I (4th century) and Saint Julius the Veteran, a martyr of the early 4th century. Despite these associations, the name fell out of common use during the Middle Ages. It was revived in Italy and France during the Renaissance, and from there it spread to other European countries. Today, it is used widely, including in Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Swedish, and Romanian cultures. Notable Bearers Notable individuals named Julius span many fields. In science, Julius Axelrod (1912–2004) was an American biochemist who won the Nobel Prize for his work on neurotransmitters. In literature, Julius Bab (1880–1955) was a German theater critic and writer. In sports, Julius Aghahowa (born 1982) is a Nigerian footballer. The name also appears in history, such as Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1528–1589), a German nobleman who reformed his state's economy and education. Related Forms The ancient Roman variant Iulius is also found. The name has many diminutives and feminine counterparts, such as the Dutch Juul, the feminine Iulia and Julia, as well as French Jules, Italian Giulio, Polish Juliusz or Julek, Portuguese Júlio, and Galician Xulio. The Lithuanian feminine Julija is also popular. Meaning: Possibly "downy-bearded" (Greek) or "devoted to Jove" (Latin)Origin: Ancient Roman family nameType: Given nameUsage: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Swedish, and other European languages