Some people associate Latin names as being dignified and belonging to an aristocratic class. However that’s not always the case. There are quite a few funny and interesting Latin names that are bound to make anyone giggle.

For example there’s the name ‘Ahala’ and it means ‘armpit’. [Commonly used in the Servilia Clan]

Flaccus = floppy ears. [feminine form would be Flacca]

Arvina = fat, lard [Commonly used in the Cornelia Clan]

Varro = block head

Bibulus = drunkard [feminine form = Bibula] [Calpurnia Clan]

Aculeo = prickly, unfriendly.

Verres = pig

Brutus = dim or dull witted. [feminine form = Bruta] [Lunia Clan]

Bucco = fool

Rullus = boorish, uncultured. [Servilia Clan]

There are also some Latin names that indicate what the ancestor’s occupation may have been before the family entered patrician status:

Caepio = onion seller. [Servilia Clan]

Bubulcus = cattle driver. [feminine = Bubulca]

Figulus = potter [feminine = figula]

Natta = artisan [Pinaria Clan]

Pictor = painter [female form = Pictrix]

Salinator = salt harvester [feminine = Salinatrix] [Livia Clan]

Asellio = donkey keeper [commonly used in the Sempronia Clan]

Then there are some names that aren’t necessarily bad in meaning, but quite bizarre:

Agrippa = born feet first [Menenia Clan]

Camillus = child who helps during sacrifices. [feminine = Camilla] [Furia Clan]

Culleo = leather sack. Note: this leather sack was used to carry liquid and was used for drinking water when traveling. [Terentia Clan]

Vespillo = burial person/gravedigger. Note: this refers to the people who buried corpses from families who were too poor to pay for a funeral. In ancient Rome, funerals were grand events that were expensive. Those who couldn’t afford to pay for a funeral just hired a simple burial person/gravedigger to bury their dead.