Ignatius

At a Glance

Meaning

Popularly read as 'fiery, ardent' by resemblance to Latin ignis; actually a respelling of the older Roman name Egnatius, whose real root is uncertain

Origin

Latin

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

ig-NAY-shusListen

Ignatius is a boy's name of Latin origin, pronounced ig-NAY-shus. You'll often see it described as meaning 'fiery one,' but that's a popular reinterpretation based on its resemblance to the Latin word ignis — the name is actually a respelling of the older Roman name Egnatius, and its true root isn't settled. If you're drawn to the sound and the Latin roots, this is a name with a long, if quiet, history in the U.S.

Meaning & Origin of Ignatius

Meaning: Popularly read as 'fiery, ardent' by resemblance to Latin ignis; actually a respelling of the older Roman name Egnatius, whose real root is uncertain.

Origin: Latin.

A common claim: Ignatius means 'fiery one' Actually: The 'fiery' meaning is a well-documented folk etymology, not the name's actual origin – it's a reinterpretation of the older name Egnatius, whose true root is uncertain.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Ignatius

Popularity of Ignatius

Ignatius has been recorded in Social Security data since 1885, hitting its peak popularity at #555 in 1906 with 18 babies given the name. By 2024 it ranked #1734, with 95 babies given the name that year.

Names Like Ignatius

These names share Ignatius’s style, era or origin.

• Amadeus
• Amias
• Blaise
• Caelum
• Caian
• Caius

FAQ

What does the name Ignatius mean?

Popularly read as ‘fiery, ardent’ by resemblance to Latin ignis; actually a respelling of the older Roman name Egnatius, whose real root is uncertain. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Ignatius?

Ignatius is pronounced ig-NAY-shus (IPA: /ɪgˈneɪʃəs/).

Is Ignatius a popular name right now?

Ignatius peaked at #555 in 1906 and is ranked #1734 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1885–2024.)

Make Ignatius Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Ignatius, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.