Meaning & History
Costin is a Romanian short form (hypocorism) of the name Constantin, which itself derives from Constantine and ultimately from the Latin Constans, meaning "constant, steadfast". As a given name, Costin is predominantly masculine and used in Romania and Moldova.
Etymologically, the name traces back to the Latin root constans (genitive constantis), signifying steadfastness and fidelity. Through the Roman emperor Constantine the Great (272–337 CE), who legalized Christianity and founded Constantinople, the name gained prominence across Europe. In the Eastern Orthodox world, the name became widespread, leading to a variety of regional forms such as Kostandin (Albanian), Konstantin (Serbian), and Kanstantsin (Belarusian).
Notable Bearers
Several notable individuals bear Costin as a given name, including Costin Petrescu (born 1998), a Romanian volleyball player; Costin Georgescu (born 1968), a Romanian investigative journalist; and Costin Bădic (born 1968), a Romanian captain and politician. In surnames, the name appears in figures such as the Moldavian chroniclers Miron Costin (1633–1691) and Nicolae Costin (1660–1712), as well as automotive engineers Frank and Mike Costin, and various athletes like Brandon Costin and Raul Costin.
Variants and Translations
Romanian variants include Costel, Costică, Costinel, and Dinu. The feminine form is Constantina. Across other languages, equivalents include Kostadin (Macedonian), Constantijn (Dutch), and Kosta (Serbian).
- Meaning: "constant, steadfast"
- Origin: Romanian diminutive of Constantin
- Type: Given name (masculine) and surname
- Usage regions: Romania, Moldova
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Costin