Drusilla

Drusilla is a feminine given name of Latin origin, the form of the older Roman name Drusus. The name has historical associations in classical and late antique contexts and has been used in various cultures influenced by Latin naming traditions.

In the New Testament, Drusilla appears as a biblical figure mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. She is described as the wife of the Roman official Antonius Felix, the governor of Judea during the first century, and is often cited in discussions of Paul the Apostle’s imprisonment and trials. Scholarly sources have sometimes linked her to the broader Herodian family, though precise genealogical details vary across traditions.

In modern popular culture, Drusilla is best known as a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel. Created by Joss Whedon, the character is a vampire and an associate of Angel, renowned for her psychic sensitivity and volatile personality. Juliet Landau portrays Drusilla in both series, and the character has become a prominent example of a complex antagonist in contemporary fantasy storytelling.

Beyond these instances, Drusilla appears sporadically in literature and media as a given name without a single dominant cultural reference. The name remains relatively uncommon today but persists in various countries with Latin-derived naming practices.