Antony

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Origin: Ancient Roman

Meaning: from Roman family name Antonius, of uncertain meaning though it has Etruscan roots.

It could also possibly have Greek roots, possibly meaning "priceless one" or it could be derived from Latin antius meaning "chief, leader"; or it could be related to the town of Antium in Latium, or Latin ante meaning "before", perhaps referring to a premature child.

The most famous bearer of the name, Mark Antony, claimed descent from Anton, a son of the Greek warrior and half-god Heracles, though it seems he made him up in an effort to make his genealogical line more impressive and ancient.

In 16th or 17th century England, the Anthony spelling came into being, from an incorrect belief that it originated from Greek anthos (flower) and it's been a popular spelling ever since.


Variants:

• Anthony 
• Antonius (Ancient Roman)
• Antonio (Spanish, Italian, Croatian)
• Anton (German, Russian, Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic, Danish, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, Slovene, Macedonian, Croatian, Romanian, Estonian, Finnish)
• Antoine
• Antwan
• Antonie
• Antonis (Greek)

Female forms:

• Antonia
• Antoinette 
• Antoinetta 
• Antonella