Antonín

Antonín is a masculine given name of Czech origin. It is the Czech form of the Latin Antonius, from which the meaning “priceless” or “of inestimable value” is often derived, and it corresponds to Anthony in English. The name has a long-standing presence in Czech culture, with ties to Catholic tradition and the veneration of Saint Anthony of Padua, known in Czech as Svatý Antonín. The spelling with the acute accent on the í marks its Czech orthography and pronunciation.

Notable people named Antonín include a range of historical and cultural figures. Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) was a prominent Czech composer celebrated for symphonies and national-inspired works. Antonín Panenka (born 1948) is a former footballer famed for inventing the “Panenka” penalty. Antonín Švehla (1873–1942) was a key Czech politician who helped found Czechoslovakia and served as prime minister. Antonín Holý (1936–2012) was a chemist whose work contributed to antiviral drugs. Antonín Raymond (1888–1976) was a Czech-born American architect known for modernist design. Antonín Puč (1909–1988) was a notable football winger. Antonín Zápotocký (1889–1957) held high political office in Czechoslovakia.

Today, Antonín remains a common given name in the Czech Republic and among Czech-speaking communities. It is frequently shortened to Toník or Toni in affectionate usage. Variants in other languages include Antonio, Antoni, and Anton, as well as the French form Antonin. The name maintains a traditional presence in both historical and contemporary contexts and is widely recognized as a classic Czech given name.