Macrinus is a Roman cognomen, derived from a diminutive form of the Latin adjective macer meaning "thin, meagre". It was originally a nickname describing a person of slender build. The name is best known as that of a 3rd-century Roman emperor. Etymology The Latin root macer (“thin, meagre”) is related to the Greek makros (“long, large”) and the Proto-Indo-European *mh₂ḱrós (“thin, long”). The diminutive suffix -inus is common in Latin to form cognomina that were originally nicknames based on physical or personality traits. Thus, Macrinus would have meant "little thin one" or "slightly meager person" – a typically Roman cognomen that began as a descriptive nickname and became a family name. Historical Bearer: Emperor Macrinus Marcus Opellius Macrinus (c. 165 – June 218) was Roman emperor from April 217 to June 218. Born in Caesarea (modern Cherchell, Algeria) in the province of Mauretania Caesariensis to an equestrian family of Berber origins, he was the first emperor not of senatorial rank and the first never to visit Rome during his reign. His ascent to power signalled a shift in the empire’s aristocratic structure, elevating military and administrative talent over traditional patrician birth. Macrinus served under Emperor Caracalla as praetorian prefect, the highest imperial guard office. In 217, fearing that Caracalla intended to execute him, Macrinus orchestrated Caracalla’s assassination near Carrhae (Mesopotamia). He was thereafter proclaimed emperor by the army on 11 April 217, and later ratified by the Senate. His short reign was marked by a troubled peace with Parthia and domestic austerity. He was overthrown in 218 after the legions at Emesa rallied behind the young Heliogabalus (Elagabalus), alleged son of Caracalla, effectively ending his rule. Macrinus was defeated and executed while trying to flee. Cultural and Onomastic Significance As a cognomen, Macrinus belongs to the widespread Roman tradition of personal nicknames that survived into the Early Empire, usually passed down through families. It is a relatively rare man’s name beyond the imperial context, but the feminine form Macrina was used in late antiquity, notably by Saint Macrina the Younger, a 4th-century Christian nun from Cappadocia, sister of Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory of Nyssa. Meaning: "thin, meagre" (from Latin macer) Origin: Latin, adopted among Roman aristocracy and provincial elites Historical Type: Roman cognomen Related Names in Brief: Feminine form Macrina Regions of Known Use (at that time): Roman Empire, especially Mauretania Caesariensis, Rome, East provinces