Julio

Julio is the Spanish and Portuguese equivalent of Julius. Julius is derived from an ancient Roman family name Julianus (from the gens Julia). The name most 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 soft hairs on their chin. It is also thought to be related to Jove, another name for the Roman god Jupiter – the patron deity 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 in 44 B.C. during a Senate session. He purportedly uttered his famous last words to his old friend: "Et tu, Brute?” The male name Julius and the Spanish equivalent Julio were rare by the Middle Ages but then experienced a revival in Italy and France during the Renaissance. All forms of the name, i.e., Julius (old Roman), Julian (Latin, English), Julien (French) and Julio (Spanish/Portuguese), have once again achieved prominence.