Meaning & History
Anthony is an English masculine given name derived from the Roman family name Antonius, which is of unknown Etruscan origin. The most notable bearer of the ancient name was the Roman general Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony), who ruled the Roman Empire jointly with Augustus in the 1st century BC. Their eventual conflict led to Antony's suicide alongside Cleopatra, a story famously dramatized in Shakespeare's tragedy Antony and Cleopatra (1606).
Etymology
The name's popularity in the Christian world stems from Saint Anthony the Great, a 4th-century Egyptian hermit considered the founder of Christian monasticism. Its use was further reinforced in the Middle Ages by Saint Anthony of Padua, a 13th-century Franciscan friar and patron saint of Portugal. The spelling with an h (Anthony) became common in the 17th century due to a mistaken association with the Greek word anthos (flower), though the name has no etymological connection to it.
Notable Bearers
Anthony has been consistently popular in English-speaking countries. In the United States, it has ranked among the top 100 male baby names since the late 19th century and remained in the top 100 between 1998 and 2018 in Canada, Australia, England, Ireland, and Scotland. Notable bearers include actors Anthony Hopkins and Anthony Perkins, director Anthony Minghella, and musician Anthony Kiedis.
Variants and Forms
Variants include Antony (a common spelling), the diminutive Tony, and the feminine form Antonia. In other languages, equivalents include Antoine (French), Anton (Ukrainian), Antonius (Dutch), Antwan (African American), Andoni (Basque), and Antton (Basque). The surname descendant Anthonyson also exists.
- Meaning: Of the Antonius family; possibly of Etruscan origin
- Origin: Roman family name Antonius
- Type: First name
- Usage: English, widely used internationally
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Anthony