Avitus

Avitus is a Latin masculine given name used in ancient and medieval contexts. The name's most notable bearer is Flavius Eparchius Avitus, who reigned as Western Roman Emperor from 455 to 456. A member of the Gallo-Roman aristocracy and a high-ranking military officer, Avitus came to the throne amid the political turmoil following Valentinian III's death. His short rule faced external threats from rival powers in the western provinces and internal fragmentation, and he was eventually deposed and died soon after.

Avitus is also a name associated with Christian saints and bishops in Gaul, notably Avitus of Vienne, who served as bishop of Vienne during late antiquity. The name persists in medieval Latin and ecclesiastical texts and is occasionally used as a given name in Europe, though it is rare in contemporary times.