This list includes 26 Roman names that start with N, from “Naevius” to “Nummius”. These names span praenomina, nomina, and cognomina and suit writers, parents, genealogists, and students.
Roman names that start with N are traditional Latin praenomina, nomina, and cognomina beginning with the letter N. Several, like Naevius, appear in inscriptions and literature from the Republic and Empire.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Gender, Pronunciation, Meaning, Type, Notes, and Sources.
Name: The Roman name itself, presented in classical form so you can spot variants and orthography at a glance.
Gender: Shows typical gender usage (masculine, feminine, or neutral) so you know appropriate forms for characters or family trees.
Pronunciation: Provides a simple classical-style pronunciation guide to help you say names correctly in recreated Latin speech.
Meaning: Gives concise meanings or etymologies so you understand name origins and choose ones that match your intent.
Type: Identifies whether the entry is a praenomen, nomen, or cognomen so you use it correctly in Roman naming conventions.
Notes: Offers historical notes, frequency, or notable bearers so you get context and ideas for use in writing or research.
Sources: Cites primary and accepted reference examples so you can follow up on attestations and deeper research if desired.
Roman names that start with N
Name
Type
Gender
Meaning
Numerius
Praenomen
Masculine
from Latin numerus, ‘number’ (origin uncertain)
Numa
Praenomen
Masculine
uncertain; name of Rome’s second king
Numitor
Praenomen
Masculine
uncertain; legendary Alba Longa king
Naevius
Nomen (gens)
Both
from Latin naevus ‘birthmark, freckle’
Nonius
Nomen (gens)
Both
from nonus ‘ninth’ or family formation
Norbanus
Nomen (gens)
Both
from Norba (town) or indicating origin
Nautius
Nomen (gens)
Both
probably from naut- ‘sailor’ or a place name
Numicius
Nomen (gens)
Both
probably from place-name Numicus or root num-
Nummius
Nomen (gens)
Both
from nummus ‘coin’ (money-related)
Novius
Nomen (gens)
Both
from novus ‘new’ or Oscan Novius
Neratius
Nomen (gens)
Both
uncertain origin; family name Neratius
Naso
Cognomen
Masculine
big nose
Nasica
Cognomen
Masculine
pointed or prominent nose
Nasus
Cognomen
Masculine
nose
Nero
Cognomen
Masculine
Oscan for ‘strong/valiant’ (Sabine origin)
Nerva
Cognomen
Masculine
from nervus ‘sinew’, ‘vigorous’
Nepos
Cognomen
Masculine
grandson
Niger
Cognomen
Masculine
black, dark
Natta
Cognomen
Masculine
fuller (cloth-worker), occupational name
Nauta
Cognomen
Masculine
sailor
Novianus
Cognomen
Masculine
derived from Novius, indicating family branch
Nonianus
Cognomen
Masculine
derived from Nonius, indicating family branch
Nicanor
Cognomen
Masculine
Greek ‘victory-man’ (nike + anēr)
Nereus
Cognomen
Masculine
from Greek sea-god Nereus
Natalis
Cognomen
Masculine
pertaining to birth; ‘of birth’
Numidianus
Cognomen
Masculine
of Numidia (North African association)
Descriptions
Numerius
Rare praenomen attested in Republican inscriptions and literature; commoner in rural/Oscan areas. Nu-me-ri-us.
Numa
Famous early Roman name (Numa Pompilius), chiefly literary and legendary rather than common in later use. Nu-ma.
Numitor
Personal name from Roman foundation legend (Livy); attested in classical sources as a proper personal name. Nu-mi-tor.
Naevius
Nomen of the poet Gnaeus Naevius and the gens Naevia; female form Naevia. Widely attested in literature and inscriptions. Nai-vee-us.
Nonius
Gens Nonius appears in Republican and Imperial records (e.g., Nonius Asprenas). Commonly used across social ranks. No-ni-us.
Norbanus
Gens Norbana produced Republican magistrates and consuls (e.g., Gaius Norbanus). Attested in literary and epigraphic sources. Nor-ba-nus.
Nautius
Ancient patrician gens Nautia (e.g., Spurius Nautius Rutilus). Attested in early Republican records and inscriptions. Nau-ti-us.
Numicius
Old Roman gens Numicia/Numicius attested in early Republican sources and inscriptions. Nu-mi-ci-us.
Nummius
Gens Nummia/Nummius attested in the Imperial period among senatorial families and inscriptions. Num-mi-us.
Novius
Oscan-origin nomen recorded in Latin literature and inscriptions; appears in various Italian communities. No-vi-us.
Neratius
Gens Neratia produced jurists and senators (e.g., Neratius Priscus); attested epigraphically. Ne-ra-ti-us.
Naso
Very familiar cognomen; borne famously by Publius Ovidius Naso (Ovid). Literal physical descriptor, common in Republican and Imperial names. Na-so.
Nasica
Cognomen of the Cornelii (e.g., Scipio Nasica); a hereditary surname in elite families. Na-si-ca.
Nasus
Occasional cognomen formed from the Latin word for nose; found in inscriptions and literary references. Na-sus.
Nero
Originally an Oscan/Sabine personal name later used as a Roman cognomen (notably emperor Nero). Often indicates Italian non-Latin origin. Ne-ro.
Nerva
Cognomen of the emperor Nerva (Marcus Cocceius Nerva); attested in inscriptions and imperial titulature. Ner-va.
Nepos
Used as a cognomen and agnomen (e.g., Cornelius Nepos, historian); common as a family surname. Ne-pos.
Niger
Very common descriptive cognomen describing complexion or hair, attested across Republican and Imperial inscriptions. Ni-ger.
Natta
Occupational cognomen attested in Republican and later inscriptions; used by non-elite and elite families alike. Nat-ta.
Nauta
Cognomen/agnomen meaning ‘sailor’, attested epigraphically and occasionally in literary sources. Pronounce Nau-ta.
Novianus
Cognomen formed from the nomen Novius; attested in inscriptions and imperial-era names. No-vi-a-nus.
Nonianus
Patronymic cognomen indicating descent or connection to the Nonius family; attested epigraphically. No-ni-a-nus.
Nicanor
Greek personal name adopted as a Roman cognomen, especially among freedmen and Hellenizing elites; attested in inscriptions and literature. Ni-ca-nor.
Nereus
Greek-derived cognomen found in Roman inscriptions and literary contexts; often used by freedmen or Greek-speaking families. Ne-re-us.
Natalis
Cognomen found in the Imperial period (e.g., gens Natalis); sometimes marks birthdate or festival association. Na-ta-lis.
Numidianus
Geographic cognomen indicating connection to Numidia; attested in Imperial inscriptions and military contexts. Nu-mi-di-a-nus.
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