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Numbering One's Children
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In some families of ancient Rome
at least some of the sons might be given numbers to indicate the order of birth.
The fifth son, Quintus, was often given a number, perhaps because it was at that
point when some families had exhausted their supply of favorite names.
Sextus, Septimus, and Octavius may have been based on paternal boastfulness.
If the Romans had been
consistent, they could have named ten sons Primus, Secundus, Tertius, Quartus,
Quintus, Sextus, Septimus, Octavius, Novus, and Decimus.
In modern times there is much
less numbering, especially when birthrates fall. However, a former
heavyweight boxing champion, the Italian Primo (first) Carnera, had a younger
brother named Secondo. In English, Quentin, derived from Quintus, is the
most likely choice, and some parents who don't know Latin have used it even for
a firstborn. There's a rather rare feminine version of it, Quintilla.
Octavius and the feminine Octavia are now rare, but were still fairly common a
hundred years or so ago. Primus, Secundus, and Septimus are listed in some
books of forenames, but are rarely used.
Hook, J. N. The Book of Names,
A Celebration of Mainly American Names: People, Places, and Things. Franklin
Watts, 1983.
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A-Z
Baby Names
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Girl Names
A,
B, C,
D, E,
F, G,
H, I,
J, K,
L, M,
N, O,
P, Q,
R, S,
T, U,
V, W,
X, Y,
Z
Boy
Names
A,
B, C,
D, E,
F, G,
H, I,
J, K,
L, M,
N, O,
P, Q,
R, S,
T, U,
V, W,
X, Y,
Z
Special
Categories
Pet
Names
Names for your pets. Grouped by species.
Surnames
Look up the meaning of your Last
Name.
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