Sergio is an Italian and Spanish form of the ancient Roman name Sergius, which originated as a Roman family name (nomen) from the patrician gens Sergia or Sergii of Alba Longa in Old Latium. Considered by historian Theodor Mommsen as one of the oldest Roman families, the name's etymology is debated; it may derive from Latin servus ("servant"), but more likely is of unknown Etruscan origin. The names Sergius and its variants achieved widespread popularity due to several Christian saints and four popes bearing the name. Etymology and History The gens Sergia was prominent during the Roman Republic and Imperial ages. The name Sergius entered the Christian onomasticon through Saint Sergius, a 4th-century Roman officer martyred in Syria with his companion Bacchus; they are the patron saints of Christian desert nomads. Another martyr, Saint Sergius of the Holy Caves (also known as Sergius the Obedient), was revered in Kyivan Rus'. The name later gained great stature in Eastern Christianity through Saint Sergius of Radonezh, a 14th-century Russian spiritual leader who founded the Trinity Lavra. In the New Testament, a Roman official named Sergius Paulus appears in Acts 13:7. Additionally, four popes of the Roman Catholic Church have used the name Sergio in Italian, including Pope Sergius I (7th century). Variants and Usage Sergio is the common form in Italian and Spanish, while other Romance languages use Sergiu (Romanian), Sergi (Catalan), and Serge (French). Slavic variants include Russian Sergey, Ukrainian Serhii, Belarusian Siarhei or Syarhey, and Serbian Srđan. Armenian forms include Sargis and Sarkis, while Georgian uses Sergo. The Latin original is Sergius in Biblical Latin. The name is relatively uncommon in English, though the Anglo-French surname "Sargent" may be related. Notable Bearers In modern times, notable individuals named Sergio include Argentine football star Sergio Agüero, Italian-French footballer Sergio Ramos, Italian film director Sergio Leone, and Chilean footballer Sergio Livingstone. The name also appears in the artistic pseudonym of Serbian painter Leonardo da Vinci? Actually, this is not relevant. Many popes and saints carried the name, reinforcing its enduring appeal. Meaning: Uncertain; possibly "servant" in Latin, or of unknown Etruscan originOrigin: Roman (Latin/Etruscan)Type: First nameUsage Regions: Italy, Spain, Portugal, Latin America