Boy · Latin · Christian
Ignatius
IgnatiusSay it ig-NAY-shus
- Meaning today
- Fiery, ardent
- Original meaning
- "Roman family name Egnatius; no meaning given" Lewis & Short, s.v. Egnatius
- Say it
- ig-NAY-shus
- Other spellings
- Inacio, Ignacio, Ignace
Ignatius
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Ignatius meaning
Ignatius is a Christian boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning today
Fiery, ardent
Original Latin meaning
"Roman family name Egnatius; no meaning given"
Source: Lewis & Short, A Latin Dictionary (1879), s.v. Egnatius · entry Egnātĭus · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
Ignatius is the Latin Ignatius, a by-form of Egnatius. Lewis & Short record Egnatius only as a Roman family name, borne by a friend of Cicero, and the Online Etymology Dictionary gives no further meaning. Name lists translate it "fiery" or "ardent" by linking it with Latin ignis, "fire", but that is a later association rather than the name's origin. Its fame comes from Saint Ignatius of Antioch, the early bishop and martyr, and Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Goan Catholics use the Portuguese form Inacio, and the Syriac Orthodox patriarchs of Antioch, revered by Jacobite Christians in Kerala, bear Ignatius as part of their title.
References: Lewis & Short, Egnatius (Perseus) · Online Etymology Dictionary, Ignatius
Famous namesakes
- Saint Ignatius of Antioch, early bishop and martyr
- Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits
Spellings
Ignatius · Inacio · Ignacio · Ignace