christianus

Christianus is a Latin term meaning "a Christian" or "of Christ." It functions as both a noun and a masculine given name in Latin sources, formed from Christus with the suffix -anus, a common pattern for personal names in the late Roman and medieval periods.

In late antique and medieval Latin, Christianus appears in inscriptions, legal documents, letters, and hagiographies as a first name for individuals and occasionally as a descriptor indicating religious identity. It is not tied to a single prominent figure but rather occurs as a relatively ordinary personal name within various texts.

Today the form is chiefly of historical or philological interest. Modern equivalents in various languages include Cristiano (Italian, Portuguese), Cristián (Spanish), and Christian (English). The Latin form Christianus is rarely used as a contemporary given name outside scholarly or ceremonial contexts.

As a noun or proper name, Christianus is primarily encountered in historical or literary contexts rather than in modern daily usage. It reflects broader Latin naming practices that Latinized religious or cultural identities in late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Related forms and concepts include Christian (the English given name and adjective) and Christianity, the religion associated with Christ.