Alphonsus

Alphonsus is a masculine given name, the Latin form of Alfonso or Alphonse. It has appeared in European Latin texts since the Middle Ages and is associated with Catholic and scholarly contexts. The name is generally understood to derive from Germanic roots meaning noble and ready.

Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696–1787) was an Italian Catholic bishop, theologian, and founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as the Redemptorists. He is renowned for his contributions to moral theology and devotion to Mary. His prolific writings include Moral Theology and The Glories of Mary. In 1871 he was declared a Doctor of the Church, and he remains the patron saint of confessors and of moral theologians. His feast is celebrated on August 1.

Alphonsus X, or Alphonsus X the Wise, was King of Castile and León from 1252 to 1284. He fostered learning and culture at his court and oversaw the compilation of the Siete Partidas, a comprehensive legal code influential in Iberian and Latin jurisprudence. In Latin sources, he is often referred to as Alphonsus X.

Usage and variants: In contemporary contexts, Alphonsus is relatively uncommon as a given name outside historical or religious settings. Related forms include Alfonso, Alphonse, and Alphonso. The name persists in historical records, saints’ names, and some modern families, particularly within Spanish- and Italian-speaking communities.