Titus is a strong and distinctive name of Latin origin, derived from the ancient Roman gens name Titius. This family name was likely derived from the Etruscan word "tit" meaning "title" or "rank". The name Titus was popular among the early Romans due to its association with several notable figures in their history.
One of the most famous bearers of this name is Titus Flavius Vespasianus, also known simply as Titus. He was a Roman emperor who ruled from 79-81 AD. Titus is best known for his role in the siege and destruction of Jerusalem during the First Jewish-Roman War. This event led to the establishment of a permanent Roman presence in Judea and marked a significant turning point in Jewish history.
Another notable figure bearing this name was Saint Titus, one of the seven disciples sent by Paul the Apostle to establish the Church at Crete. According to tradition, he became the first bishop of Crete and is honored as its patron saint.
The name Titus has also been used prominently in literature and art throughout history. For instance, it is the title character's name in Shakespeare's tragedy "Titus Andronicus", believed to be written around 1593-1594. Additionally, a painting by Italian artist Titian (whose birth name was Tiziano Vecellio) titled "The Flaying of Marsyas" features a figure named Titus.
Today, Titus remains an uncommon yet striking name choice, often associated with strength, power, and historical significance due to its rich past. It is also sometimes used as a shortened form of the name Titianus or as a variant spelling of the name Tytus.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Titus in the United States:
Over the span of nearly four decades, from 1977 to 2016, there were a total of 12 babies named Titus born in the U.S. During these years, the popularity of the name remained relatively consistent, with 6 births each in both 1977 and 2016.
This data suggests that the name Titus has maintained a steady, albeit small, presence among baby names over time. Despite not being one of the most popular choices, it seems to have retained a loyal following among parents looking for a unique name for their child.