amatus

Amatus is a Latin term meaning “beloved” or “cherished.” It is the masculine singular perfect passive participle of amare (to love) and appears in Latin texts as both an adjective and, occasionally, a proper name. The feminine and neuter forms are amata and amatum, respectively, and the word can function as a descriptive epithet or, in some contexts, as a substantive noun meaning “the beloved.”

As a given name, amatus was used in various Latin-speaking communities during late antiquity and the medieval period. It is attested in hagiographic and liturgical sources as the name of several saints and clerics, reflecting a common medieval practice of adopting affectionate or virtuous terms as personal names. In modern times, amatus is rare as a first name and is primarily encountered in historical or genealogical contexts. The name’s usage today tends to be limited to discussions of medieval onomastics or as part of archival records rather than contemporary naming.

In broader usage, amatus appears in Latin phrases and translations to convey the sense of “beloved” in textual contexts. It also provides a linguistic example of how participles formed from amare function in Latin grammar, illustrating the interplay between verb meaning and adjectival or nominal use.

See also: amata, amatus as a name, Latin participles from amare.