festus

Festus is a masculine given name of Latin origin, meaning “joyful” or “festive.” It has been used historically as a personal name in various cultures and appears in both ancient and modern contexts.

In ancient Rome, Festus was a cognomen adopted by several notable individuals. The most famous is Marcus (or Lucius) Festus, a Roman grammarian of the 2nd century AD, known for his epitome of the work of the earlier scholar Varro. His surviving fragments provide insight into Roman linguistics and mythology. Another bearer was Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus, sometimes referred to as “Festus,” a consul who served during the mid‑imperial period.

The name also features in early Christian hagiography. Saint Festus is mentioned in the New Testament’s Acts of the Apostles (Acts 24:25) as a Roman procurator of Judea who presided over the trial of the Apostle Paul. Although little is known about his life beyond this episode, he is sometimes listed among the lesser‑known saints.

In contemporary usage, Festus is a place name in the United States. Festus, Missouri, incorporated in 1888, is a city in Jefferson County with a population of roughly 12,000. The city’s economy historically centered on agriculture and manufacturing, and it now serves as a suburban community within the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Literary and popular culture have adopted the name as well. In Shakespeare’s play *Cymbeline*, the character Posthumus’s loyal servant is named Pisanio, who is sometimes called Festus in adaptations. More recently, “Festus” appears as a character name in various television series and video games, often chosen for its distinctive sound.

Overall, “Festus” remains a name with classical roots that continues to appear in geography, literature, and historical scholarship.