Saint Names

Saint Wenceslas (known as Vaclav in modern Czech) was a 10th-century duke of Bohemia murdered by his brother. He is the patron saint of the Czech Republic. The name has also belonged to several Bohemian kings.

Zosimus is a quirky Z starting name with a long history. It has been the name of several early saints and a pope, as well as the Byzantine author of a history of the Roman Empire, published in the sixth century CE.

Michelina Matelli was a wealthy Italian woman who became a nun. She was made Saint Michelina in the 1700s.

Saint Roderic was a priest in Spain who was persecuted by the Moors. Another form of this name is Ruderic.

Zephyrinus is the form of the name of the Greek god of the west wind best known as the name of a Jewish pope and saint.

Rarely heard in modern times, it was used by Norman Mailer for the hero of his book The Deer Park.

Latin form of Jacob, also used in Dutch and Afrikaans.

An ancient saint's name, modernized as Theofanis in Greek.

Bernardine is really driving home its Bernard connection, for better or worse. Bernadine is the usual form of this name.

Saint Swithin or Swithun is best known for his feast day, July 15, which according to legend will determine the weather for the next 40 days.

Justa is an ancient saints' name. Saints Justa and Rufina were martyred sisters who are today the patron saints of Seville in Spain.

Fursey is an ancient Irish saint's name little-used in modern times. St. Fursey was born in the seventh century a noble in Ireland but traveled to England and France to found monasteries and spread Christianity. He is buried in France.

The yoo sound at the beginning of a name has not typically been attractive to the modern ear. Probably the most appealing form of this ancient name has been the feminized Eugenie, thanks to the British princess.