Pomponius

Pomponius is a Latin masculine name associated with the gens Pomponia, a Roman clan that appears in ancient sources from the late Republic into the imperial era. In Roman naming practice, Pomponius functioned as a nomen, identifying a male member of the Pomponia gens; individuals would also bear a praenomen and a cognomen to distinguish them within the family.

The most famous bearer of the name is Titus Pomponius Atticus, typically referred to as Atticus in modern usage. He was a prominent Roman aristocrat and a close friend and correspondent of Cicero, known for his literary circle, political influence, and the preservation of letters and traditions that illuminate late Republican Rome.

Beyond Atticus, the name Pomponius appears in various inscriptions and literary references, signaling its use by several other individuals in antiquity. Many of these figures are comparatively obscure, known primarily from fragmentary records or archival material.

In broader terms, Pomponius illustrates the Roman system of nomenclature in which a gens name provides a clan identity, while praenomina and cognomina further differentiate individual members. The name continued to surface in Latin texts and inscriptions into the late antique and medieval periods, reflecting the enduring legacy of Roman naming conventions in successor cultures.