anton

Anton is a masculine given name used in many European languages. It derives from the Latin name Antonius, a family name of uncertain meaning that spread widely during the Roman era and later through Christian Europe. In various languages it appears as Anton (German, Dutch, Scandinavian languages), Antonio (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese), Antoine/Antonin (French), and Antón, Antonina for feminine forms in some languages. In English, Anton is often used as a form of Anthony in some families, but it also exists independently as a given name.

Diminutives and related forms include Tony/Toni, Ton, Ant, and Anto. The name has been borne by numerous notable individuals across fields such as literature, music, and cinema, among them Anton Chekhov, the Russian playwright; Anton Bruckner, the Austrian composer; Anton Corbijn, the Dutch photographer and filmmaker; and Anton Yelchin, the American actor. In fiction, namesake characters include Anton Ego in Pixar's Ratatouille.

Notable usage notes: The name remains common in German-speaking countries and the Nordic states, as well as in Russia and parts of Eastern Europe. It has also seen usage in the Americas due to European immigration. The name carries no single official meaning beyond its historical connection to Antonius, though some language traditions ascribe meanings tied to praise or invaluable status in folk etymologies.