Meaning & History
Drousilla is a Greek form of Drusilla used in the Greek New Testament. The name Drusilla itself is a feminine diminutive of the Roman family name Drusus, which was also used as a praenomen by the Claudia family. According to tradition, the name Drusus originated from a Roman warrior who killed a Gaulish chieftain named Drausus in single combat; Drausus may derive from a Celtic element meaning “strong.”
Etymology and Origins
The root Drusus is a Roman family name, sometimes employed as a given name by the Claudia family. The name's association with the Celtic word for “strong” aligns with the martial context of its origin. Drousilla, as a Hellenized adaptation, appears in the Greek New Testament, demonstrating how Roman names were transliterated into Greek during the early Christian era.
Biblical Context
In the New Testament (Acts 24:24), Drusilla is mentioned as the wife of the Roman governor Felix. She was a Jewish princess, the daughter of Herod Agrippa I. The Greek form Drousilla is used in the original Greek manuscripts of Acts, indicating the name was adapted to Greek phonology and spelling conventions. This usage adds a layer of cultural interchange between Roman, Jewish, and Greek influences in the early Christian period.
Related Names
Related forms include Drusa in Ancient Roman and Drusilla in Biblical Latin, the latter being the original Latin form used in the Vulgate. Drousilla remains a rare name but holds historical and biblical significance.
- Meaning: Feminine diminutive of Drusus, possibly meaning “strong”
- Origin: Greek (New Testament)
- Type: Biblical name
- Usage Regions: Early Christian communities, Greece