Antoninus

Antoninus is a masculine given name of Latin origin, formed as a derivative of Antonius with the suffix -inus, typically implying belonging to or descent from the Antonius family. It is closely associated with the Roman Empire, where it appears in the naming of several emperors and in dynastic titulature. In later periods the form continued to appear in Latin religious and literary contexts.

The best-known bearer is Antoninus Pius, emperor from 138 to 161. In full, his name is often given as Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Pius, reflecting the common Roman practice of adopting a family name as part of a broader imperial titulature. The name also recurs in the long-form titulature of Marcus Aurelius, who is sometimes cited as Marcus Aurelius Antoninus in historical sources, underscoring the dynastic use of the Antoninus element within imperial naming traditions.

In Christian and medieval Latin usage, Antoninus and its variants served as Latin forms of Antonius and appeared among saints and scholars. A notable example is Saint Antoninus of Florence (Antonio Pierozzi), a 15th-century Dominican who became Archbishop of Florence and was later canonized. The form Antoninus thus survives today mainly as a historical or literary reference, with related names in various languages such as Antonius, Anton, Antoni, and Antonin.

See also: Antonius, Anton, Antonin, and other cognates.