Orazio is an Italian masculine given name, the Italian form of the ancient Roman family name Horatius. The name Horatius is believed to derive from the Latin word hora meaning "hour, time, season," though some etymologists propose an Etruscan origin. The most famous bearer of the original Roman name was Quintus Horatius Flaccus (65–8 BC), the celebrated lyric poet known as Horace in English. Historical and Cultural Context The name Orazio has been borne by many notable Italian figures over the centuries. Among them are several artists and musicians from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. For example, Orazio Alfani (c. 1510–1583) was an Italian painter active in Perugia. Orazio Benevoli (1605–1672) was a composer associated with the Roman Baroque school. In the field of exploration, Orazio Antinori (1811–1882) was an Italian explorer and zoologist who participated in expeditions to East Africa. The name also features in the religious and political spheres. Orazio degli Albizzi (1610–1676) served as a Roman Catholic bishop. Orazio di Giampaolo Baglioni (1493–1528) was a condottiero, or mercenary captain, from the powerful Baglioni family of Perugia. More recently, Orazio Attanasio (born 1959) is an economist known for his work on human development. Variant Forms Orazio belongs to a family of names derived from Horatius. In English, the equivalent is Horatio, popularised by the character Horatio in Shakespeare's Hamlet. The French form is Horace, the Spanish Horacio, the Portuguese Horácio, and the Romanian Horațiu. Meaning: from Latin hora meaning "hour, time, season" (possibly Etruscan) Origin: Italian form of the Roman name Horatius Type: Given name (masculine) Usage: Italian