Julian

The name Julian is derived from the ancient Roman family name Julianus, a derivative of Julius (from the gens Julia). The name likely developed from the Greek “ioulos” meaning ‘downy-bearded’ or ‘soft-haired’. The name is also associated with “youth” due to the young age at which someone grows the first hairs on their chin. It is also thought to be related to Jove, another name for the Roman god Jupiter – the patron diety of ancient Rome who ruled over laws and social order. The Julianus family of ancient Rome were among the most prominent and claimed direct descent from the mythological Julus (son of Aeneas and ancestor to Romulus & Remus, the purported founders of Rome in the 8th century B.C.). The most notable name bearer was Gaius Julius Caesar, a Roman general and statesman during the 1st century B.C. His conquest of Gaul resulted in his famous uttering of words: “veni, vidi, vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered). His achievements provided him with almost unmatched power in Rome; his dictatorship resulted in many political reforms which were instrumental in the Republic’s transformation into the Roman Empire. Fearing Caesar’s growing political power, an assassination conspiracy was hatched and lead by his old friend, Marcus Junius Brutus. Julius Caesar was stabbed on the Ides of March 44 B.C. during a Senate session. He purportedly uttered his famous last words to his old friend: "Et tu, Brute?” One of Caesar’s lasting legacies was the Julian calendar, introduced in 45 B.C. and reflected a full solar cycle of 365 ¼ days. It was maintained for over 16 centuries until replaced by the Gregorian calendar. Aside from Julius Caesar, Julian the Apostate was also a Roman Emperor in the 4th century A.D. notable as the last pagan Emperor of ancient Rome (his uncle, Constantine had made Christianity widely acceptable but Julian attempted to move the Empire away from institutionalized Christianity back to paganism). Although this classical name was borne by various minor saints, including a pope, it was rare during the Middle Ages. Julian was later revived and brought to England during the Renaissance. The French form of Julian is Julien with an "e".