This list includes 17 Roman names that start with H, from “Haterius” to “Hostus”. These names range from common family names to rare personal and legendary names used across Roman history.
Roman names that start with H are praenomina, nomina, and cognomina recorded in Latin literature and inscriptions. Hostus, for example, appears in early Roman legend as a martial figure.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Gender, Pronunciation, and Meaning.
Name: The Latin form of the name as recorded; you use this to identify and match historical or literary examples.
Gender: Indicates whether the name is masculine, feminine, or unassigned, helping you choose appropriate forms for characters.
Pronunciation: Provides a simple Latin-style guide so you can say each name authentically in dialogue or narration.
Meaning: Gives a concise sense of etymology or translation to inspire character traits, symbolism, or research leads.
Roman names that start with H
| Name | Gender | Type | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hostus | Masculine | Praenomen (archaic; literature: Livy) | Archaic praenomen; meaning uncertain | Archaic praenomen borne by Hostus Hostilius in early Roman tradition (Livy). Pronounced HO-stus; rare by the later Republic. |
| Hostilius | Masculine | Nomen (gens; literature & inscriptions) | From praenomen Hostus; origin uncertain | Gens Hostilia includes King Tullus Hostilius in tradition and later inscriptions. Pronounced hos-TIL-i-us; an old Roman family name. |
| Horatius | Masculine | Nomen (gens; literature & inscriptions) | Gens name of uncertain derivation | Gens Horatia produced Horatius Cocles and poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus (Horace). Pronounced ho-RAH-ti-us; well-attested in literature and epigraphy. |
| Hortensius | Masculine | Nomen (gens; literature & inscriptions) | From hortus ‘garden’ (garden-related) | Quintus Hortensius Hortalus, famed orator, is the best-known member. Pronounced hor-TEN-si-us; attested in Republican sources. |
| Hirtius | Masculine | Nomen (gens; literature & inscriptions) | From hirtus ‘hairy, bristly’ | Aulus Hirtius, consul in 43 BC, is a notable bearer. Pronounced HIR-ti-us; attested in histories and inscriptions. |
| Herminius | Masculine | Nomen (gens; literature: Livy) | Possibly Sabine/Etruscan origin; uncertain | Titus Herminius Aquilinus appears in early Republican lore (Livy). Pronounced her-MIN-i-us; archaic but historically attested. |
| Herennius | Masculine | Nomen (gens; inscriptions & literature) | Likely Oscan (Samnite) origin | Gens Herennius appears in Republican records and inscriptions, suggesting Samnite roots. Pronounced heh-REN-ni-us. |
| Heius | Masculine | Nomen (gens; literature: Cicero, inscriptions) | Greek-derived; Latinized local name | Heius of Syracuse appears in Cicero’s Verrines. Pronounced HAY-us or HEH-yus; attested in provincial Roman contexts. |
| Haterius | Masculine | Nomen (gens; inscriptions & literature) | Origin uncertain | The Haterii are known from Imperial inscriptions and occasional literary mentions. Pronounced ha-TER-i-us; some members were financiers/builders. |
| Helvius | Masculine | Nomen (gens; literature & inscriptions) | From helvus ‘light bay, blond’ | Gens Helvia/Helvius is attested; Helvia was Cicero’s mother. Pronounced HEL-vee-us; appears in Republican sources. |
| Herennia | Feminine | Nomen (gens; inscriptions & literature) | Feminine form of Herennius (Oscan origin) | Herennia Etruscilla (an empress) is a famous bearer. Pronounced heh-REN-ni-a; female form appears in inscriptions. |
| Hosidius | Masculine | Nomen (gens; literature & inscriptions) | Origin uncertain; possibly Oscan or Latinized root | Gnaeus Hosidius Geta, an Imperial general/playwright, is attested. Pronounced ho-SID-i-us; found in literary and epigraphic sources. |
| Holconius | Masculine | Nomen (gens; inscriptions) | Likely Oscan/Campanian origin | The Holconii are attested in Pompeian and Campanian inscriptions. Pronounced hol-KON-i-us; a regional Italic family. |
| Hortalus | Masculine | Cognomen (literature: Cicero; inscriptions) | From hortus ‘garden’ | Cognomen of Quintus Hortensius (Hortalus). Pronounced hor-TAL-us; classical-era cognomen tied to gardens or estates. |
| Hirtus | Masculine | Cognomen (inscriptions & literature) | From hirtus ‘hairy, rough’ | A common descriptive cognomen in inscriptions, meaning ‘hairy’ or ‘bristly’. Pronounced HIR-tus; used across multiple gentes. |
| Hilarius | Masculine | Cognomen (inscriptions; Imperial) | From hilaris ‘cheerful, merry’ | Found as a cognomen in Imperial inscriptions; later became a common Christian name. Pronounced hi-LAR-i-us. |
| Hispanus | Masculine | Cognomen (literature & inscriptions) | From Hispania ‘from Spain’ | Applied to soldiers or provincials from Spain; widely attested as a cognomen. Pronounced his-PAH-nus. |
Descriptions
Hostus
Hostilius
Horatius
Hortensius
Hirtius
Herminius
Herennius
Heius
Haterius
Helvius
Herennia
Hosidius
Holconius
Hortalus
Hirtus
Hilarius
Hispanus