This list includes 19 Roman names that start with B, from “Balbinus” to “Buteo”. These names suit writers, parents, genealogists, and students seeking authentic classical options.
Roman names that start with B are personal and family names used in ancient Rome. Many come from nicknames, place names, or words such as “Buteo”, originally meaning “buzzard”.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Gender, Pronunciation, Meaning, Notes, and Source.
Name: The Roman name itself, shown in classical spelling so you can identify and select names quickly.
Gender: Indicates traditional male, female, or unisex usage, so you can choose the appropriate form for your purpose.
Pronunciation: A simple phonetic guide that helps you say the name correctly without needing specialized linguistic training.
Meaning: A concise translation or origin note showing what the name originally meant and any common associations.
Notes: Contextual details such as whether a name was a praenomen, nomen, or cognomen, and notable historical bearers.
Source: Brief citation or reference to attestations so you can trace how the name appears in classical records.
Roman names that start with B
Name
Type
Gender
Meaning
Balbus
cognomen
Masculine
stammerer
Balbinus
cognomen
Masculine
diminutive of Balbus
Barbatus
cognomen
Masculine
bearded
Barbula
cognomen
Masculine
little beard
Bassus
cognomen
Masculine
thick, stout
Bassianus
cognomen
Masculine
of Bassus
Bibulus
cognomen
Masculine
drinker
Bibius
nomen
Both
of uncertain origin
Blaesus
cognomen
Masculine
lisping
Blandus
cognomen
Masculine
charming
Brutus
cognomen
Masculine
heavy, dull
Bruttius
nomen
Both
from Bruttii (region)
Bubulcus
cognomen
Masculine
cowherd
Buteo
cognomen
Masculine
buzzard
Barea
cognomen
Masculine
uncertain origin
Brocchus
cognomen
Masculine
projecting teeth
Braccus
cognomen
Masculine
wearing trousers
Bellator
cognomen
Masculine
warrior
Bellicus
cognomen
Masculine
warlike
Descriptions
Balbus
Very common cognomen in Republic and Empire; borne by notable Cornelii Balbi and other families.
Balbinus
Derivative of Balbus; attested across periods and borne by the co-emperor Balbinus (238 AD).
Barbatus
Early Republican cognomen; famous on the sarcophagus of M. Cornelius Scipio Barbatus.
Barbula
Diminutive cognomen attested in Republican families (e.g., Quintus Aemilius Barbula).
Bassus
Widely attested cognomen throughout Republic and Empire, common across many gentes.
Bassianus
Cognomen in imperial circles; notably used in the Severan-era family (e.g., Bassianus).
Bibulus
Famous bearer Marcus Calpurnius Bibulus, consul and political opponent of Julius Caesar.
Bibius
Nomen (gens Bibia/Bibius) attested in Republican and epigraphic sources; appears in inscriptions and epitaphs.
Blaesus
Cognomen found in literary texts and inscriptions, used by several imperial-era individuals.
Blandus
Attested as a cognomen and adjective in literature and inscriptions, meaning pleasant or flattering.
Brutus
Well-known Republican cognomen: Lucius Junius Brutus; Marcus Junius Brutus among famous bearers.
Bruttius
Nomen of the gens Bruttius, attested among senatorial families in the imperial period.
Bubulcus
Old Republican cognomen attested in families such as the Minucii (e.g., Minucius Bubulcus).
Buteo
Literal bird-name cognomen attested in Republican and imperial inscriptions and literary sources.
Barea
Cognomen borne by the Annii Bareae (e.g., Annius Barea Soranus), an attested senatorial family.
Brocchus
Cognomen used to describe prominent teeth; attested in Republican and imperial inscriptions.
Braccus
Nicknamelike cognomen attested in inscriptions and texts, likely referring to clothing or gait.
Bellator
Occasional cognomen meaning “fighter”; attested in Roman epigraphy and literary epithets.
Bellicus
Cognomen meaning “warlike,” attested in various inscriptions and classical references.
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