Roman Soldier Name Generator
Legionary, centurion and auxiliary names from the Roman army
Generate authentic Roman soldier names: three-part citizen names for legionaries and centurions, real soldiers from Caesar's legions and the frontier forts, and auxiliaries who took Roman names on enlistment. Built for historical fiction, tabletop campaigns and classroom projects.
About Roman soldier names
A Roman soldier's name tells you who he was and where he came from. A citizen legionary carried the tria nomina: a praenomen drawn from a pool of barely a dozen (Gaius, Lucius, Marcus, Quintus, Titus, Publius), a nomen marking his gens (Julius, Valerius, Aurelius, Flavius), and a cognomen that often started as a nickname. Many cognomina sound exactly like what a soldier's comrades would call him: Rufus (red), Longus (tall), Niger (dark), Celer (quick), Ferox (fierce), Scaeva (left-handed). In the ranks men went by their cognomen, so Caesar's famous rival centurions are remembered simply as Pullo and Vorenus.
Auxiliaries from Gaul, Thrace, Syria and the Rhine were not citizens, so they usually kept a native name (Dizzo, Bitus, Mucatra) and added the emperor's nomen when they earned citizenship at discharge. That is why tombstones from the frontier are full of Tiberius Claudius, Marcus Ulpius and Aurelius so-and-so: each one dates the man to the emperor who enrolled him. By the late Empire Flavius had become a near-universal military nomen, borne by generals from Stilicho to Belisarius.
The list mixes real soldiers from Caesar's commentaries, inscriptions and the imperial army lists with freshly assembled names that follow the same rules, from Republican consuls to fourth-century field commanders.
How to choose Roman soldier names
- Use the cognomen alone in barracks dialogue (Pullo, Scaeva, Baculus) and the full three-part name only on a tombstone, a discharge diploma or a roll call.
- Date your soldier by his nomen: Julius or Claudius suggests the first century, Ulpius and Aelius the age of Trajan and Hadrian, Aurelius the third century, Flavius the late Empire.
- Give auxiliaries a native cognomen after a Roman praenomen and nomen, such as Tiberius Julius Abdes Pantera, to show a man who earned citizenship through service.
- Match rank to name style: a primus pilus from an old family might be Lucius Cornelius Lentulus, while a Thracian trooper is simply Aurelius Mucatra.
- Physical and character cognomina like Rufus, Longus, Crispus, Fortis and Ferox feel more like soldiers than senatorial labels such as Nobilior or Philosophus.
Frequently asked questions
What were real Roman soldiers called?
Citizen legionaries used three names such as Lucius Vorenus, Titus Pullo or Publius Sextius Baculus, all real centurions named by Caesar. Tombstones record many more, like Marcus Caelius of the Eighteenth Legion who died in the Teutoburg Forest and Tiberius Claudius Maximus, the cavalryman who captured the Dacian king Decebalus.
Why do so many Roman soldier names start with Flavius or Aurelius?
Soldiers and their families took the emperor's family name when they received citizenship. Caracalla granted citizenship across the Empire in 212, so Aurelius became common, and from Constantine onward Flavius was used almost as a rank marker by officers and officials.
Did Roman soldiers have nicknames?
Yes, and many cognomina began that way. Names like Rufus, Niger, Longus, Celer, Scaeva and Ferox describe appearance or temperament, and a soldier was usually addressed by this single name rather than his full tria nomina.
Can I use these names for a D&D or historical novel character?
Yes. Ancient names are in the public domain. For an original character, avoid famous generals and emperors (Agricola, Corbulo, Septimius Severus) and pick or assemble a lesser-known combination such as Quintus Velanius Pius or Gaius Saufeius Longus.
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All 500 Roman soldier names
A: 33 names
- Aelius Brocchus
- Aelius Mestrius
- Aelius Serenus Cornicen
- Annaius Daverzus
- Antonius Maximus
- Antonius Urbanus Beneficiarius
- Appius Claudius Pulcher
- Appius Furius Crassus
- Appius Licinius Niger
- Aulus Caecilius Faustinus
- Aulus Caecina Alienus
A, continued
- Aulus Caecina Severus
- Aulus Cornelius Lupus
- Aulus Didius Gallus
- Aulus Hirtius Ferox
- Aulus Larcius Priscus
- Aulus Minucius Capito
- Aulus Platorius Nepos
- Aulus Plautius Silvanus
- Aulus Postumius Albinus
- Aulus Vitellius Germanicus
- Aurelius Achilleus
A, continued
- Aurelius Dasius
- Aurelius Dizzo
- Aurelius Julianus Dacicus
- Aurelius Justinus
- Aurelius Mucatra
- Aurelius Polion
- Aurelius Quietus Decurio
- Aurelius Saturninus Eques
- Aurelius Surus
- Aurelius Victor Primus
- Aurelius Vitalianus
C: 6 names
- Cassius Chaerea
- Claudius Labeo
- Claudius Paternus Tesserarius
- Claudius Terentianus
- Cornelius Fuscus
- Cornelius Laco
D: 7 names
- Dannicus
- Decimus Aemilius Celer
- Decimus Clodius Albinus
- Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus
- Decimus Laberius Durus
- Decimus Papirius Paetus
- Decimus Turullius
F: 43 names
- Fabius Valens
- Flavius Aetius
- Flavius Arbitio
- Flavius Arbogastes
- Flavius Ardabur
- Flavius Aspar
- Flavius Bauto
- Flavius Belisarius
- Flavius Bitus
- Flavius Bonifatius
- Flavius Castinus
- Flavius Cerialis
- Flavius Claudius Julianus
- Flavius Constantius Felix
F, continued
- Flavius Dagalaifus
- Flavius Dalmatius
- Flavius Fravitta
- Flavius Gainas
- Flavius Genialis
- Flavius Ingenuus Aquilifer
- Flavius Jovianus
- Flavius Jovinus
- Flavius Julius Crispus
- Flavius Lupicinus
- Flavius Majorianus
- Flavius Marcellinus
- Flavius Mundus
- Flavius Narses
F, continued
- Flavius Orestes
- Flavius Promotus
- Flavius Richomeres
- Flavius Ricimer
- Flavius Sabinianus
- Flavius Saturninus
- Flavius Severinus
- Flavius Stilicho
- Flavius Theodosius
- Flavius Timasius
- Flavius Ursicinus
- Flavius Valentinianus
- Flavius Valerius Constantius Chlorus
- Flavius Valerius Severus
- Flavius Victor
G: 99 names
- Gaius Allectus
- Gaius Antistius Reginus
- Gaius Antistius Vetus
- Gaius Antistius Vetus Clemens
- Gaius Arpineius Macer
- Gaius Arrius Clemens
- Gaius Asinius Pollio
- Gaius Aufidius Victorinus
- Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus
- Gaius Bruttius Praesens
- Gaius Caecina Largus
- Gaius Caesius Silvester
- Gaius Calvisius Sabinus
- Gaius Caninius Rebilus
G, continued
- Gaius Carrinas Ursus
- Gaius Cassius Parmensis
- Gaius Cestius Gallus
- Gaius Claudius Glaber
- Gaius Claudius Nero
- Gaius Coelius Caldus
- Gaius Considius Nonianus
- Gaius Crastinus
- Gaius Dillius Vocula
- Gaius Duilius
- Gaius Fabius Pictor
- Gaius Flaminius Nepos
- Gaius Fonteius Capito
- Gaius Fufius Cita
G, continued
- Gaius Fufius Geminus
- Gaius Fulvius Fronto
- Gaius Fulvius Plautianus
- Gaius Furius Sabinius Aquila Timesitheus
- Gaius Furnius Iustus
- Gaius Galerius Valerius Maximianus
- Gaius Julius Civilis
- Gaius Julius Dexter
- Gaius Julius Donatus
- Gaius Julius Karus
- Gaius Julius Marinus
- Gaius Julius Maximinus
- Gaius Julius Quadratus Bassus
- Gaius Julius Septimius Castinus
G, continued
- Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus Thrax
- Gaius Julius Vindex
- Gaius Laelius Sapiens
- Gaius Largennius
- Gaius Licinius Mucianus
- Gaius Lutatius Catulus
- Gaius Manlius Capitolinus
- Gaius Mannius Secundus
- Gaius Marcius Censorinus
- Gaius Marius Rufus
- Gaius Memmius Gemellus
- Gaius Messius Quintus Decius
- Gaius Minicius Fundanus
- Gaius Mucius Scaevola
G, continued
- Gaius Norbanus Flaccus
- Gaius Numonius Vala
- Gaius Oppius Sabinus
- Gaius Oppius Verus
- Gaius Papirius Carbo
- Gaius Pescennius Niger Justus
- Gaius Pius Esuvius Tetricus
- Gaius Plinius Secundus
- Gaius Romanius Capito
- Gaius Rutilius Gallicus
- Gaius Saufeius Longus
- Gaius Scribonius Curio
- Gaius Sentius Saturninus
- Gaius Silius Aulus
G, continued
- Gaius Sosius Falco
- Gaius Suetonius Paulinus
- Gaius Terentius Varro
- Gaius Trebonius Niger
- Gaius Ulpius Marcellus
- Gaius Valerius Crispus
- Gaius Valerius Pompeianus
- Gaius Valerius Victor
- Gaius Velius Rufus
- Gaius Vettius Aquilinus
- Gaius Vibius Pansa Caetronianus
- Gaius Vibius Postumus
- Gaius Vibius Rufinus
- Gaius Volusenus Quadratus
G, continued
- Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus
- Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Calvus
- Gnaeus Domitius Calvinus
- Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo
- Gnaeus Flavius Constans
- Gnaeus Hosidius Geta
- Gnaeus Julius Agricola
- Gnaeus Julius Verus
- Gnaeus Lucretius Macer
- Gnaeus Mallius Maximus
- Gnaeus Musius
- Gnaeus Octavius Ruso
- Gnaeus Pinarius Aemilius Cicatricula
- Gnaeus Pompeius Longinus
- Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo
H: 1 name
- Herennius Gallus
J: 4 names
- Julius Candidus Optio
- Julius Mansuetus
- Julius Placidianus
- Julius Verecundus
L: 79 names
- Longinus Sdapeze
- Lucius Aconius Statura
- Lucius Aelius Seianus
- Lucius Aemilius Carus
- Lucius Aemilius Paullus
- Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus
- Lucius Afranius Nepos
- Lucius Antonius Saturninus
- Lucius Apronius Caesianus
- Lucius Arruntius Camillus
- Lucius Artorius Castus
- Lucius Aurelius Gallus
- Lucius Aurelius Marcianus
L, continued
- Lucius Aurunculeius Cotta
- Lucius Burbuleius Optatus
- Lucius Caecilius Optatus
- Lucius Calpurnius Bibulus
- Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi
- Lucius Cassius Longinus
- Lucius Cassius Longinus Ravilla
- Lucius Catilius Severus
- Lucius Cornelius Balbus
- Lucius Cornelius Cinna
- Lucius Cornelius Lentulus Augur
- Lucius Cornelius Sulla Faustus
- Lucius Cornificius Capella
L, continued
- Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus
- Lucius Domitius Aurelianus
- Lucius Domitius Domitianus
- Lucius Duccius Rufinus
- Lucius Eggius Primus
- Lucius Fabius Cilo
- Lucius Funisulanus Vettonianus
- Lucius Gellius Publicola
- Lucius Julius Caesar Strabo
- Lucius Julius Ursus Servianus
- Lucius Licinius Lucullus
- Lucius Licinius Sura
- Lucius Manlius Acidinus
L, continued
- Lucius Marius Maximus
- Lucius Minucius Basilus
- Lucius Munatius Plancus
- Lucius Murena Varro
- Lucius Neratius Marcellus
- Lucius Nonius Asprenas
- Lucius Nonius Quintilianus
- Lucius Octavius Felix
- Lucius Papirius Cursor
- Lucius Passienus Rufus
- Lucius Petronius Taurus Volusianus
- Lucius Pinarius Scarpus
- Lucius Plancus Bursa
L, continued
- Lucius Pontius Aquila
- Lucius Quinctius Flamininus
- Lucius Roscius Fabatus
- Lucius Rubellius Geminus
- Lucius Salvius Otho Titianus
- Lucius Scribonius Libo Drusus
- Lucius Sempronius Fortis
- Lucius Septimius Valens
- Lucius Sergius Catilina
- Lucius Siccius Dentatus
- Lucius Staius Murcus
- Lucius Stertinius Avitus
- Lucius Tampius Flavianus
L, continued
- Lucius Tarius Rufus
- Lucius Tettius Julianus
- Lucius Tillius Cimber
- Lucius Ulpius Nassus
- Lucius Valerius Flaccus
- Lucius Valerius Proculus
- Lucius Valerius Verecundus
- Lucius Verginius Rufus
- Lucius Vettius Sabinianus
- Lucius Vitellius Tancinus
- Lucius Vitellius Veteris
- Lucius Volusius Saturninus
- Lucius Vorenus
- Lusius Quietus
M: 85 names
- Manius Acilius Glabrio
- Manius Horatius Gallus
- Manius Petronius Fuscus
- Marcus Aelius Firmus
- Marcus Aemilius Lepidus Minor
- Marcus Aemilius Lepidus Paullus
- Marcus Annius Florianus
- Marcus Antonius Primus
- Marcus Aponius Saturninus
- Marcus Appius Bradua
- Marcus Arrecinus Clemens
- Marcus Atilius Regulus
- Marcus Atius Balbus
- Marcus Aurelius Carus
M, continued
- Marcus Aurelius Claudius Gothicus
- Marcus Aurelius Cominius Cassianus
- Marcus Aurelius Heraclianus
- Marcus Aurelius Julianus
- Marcus Aurelius Lucilius
- Marcus Aurelius Marius
- Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Carausius
- Marcus Aurelius Nepos
- Marcus Aurelius Probus
- Marcus Aurelius Sabinianus
- Marcus Aurelius Scaurus
- Marcus Aurelius Tertius
- Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus
- Marcus Caecilius Donatianus
M, continued
- Marcus Caelius Lemonia
- Marcus Calpurnius Rufus
- Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus
- Marcus Cassius Scaeva
- Marcus Claudius Fronto
- Marcus Claudius Marcellus
- Marcus Claudius Marcellus Aeserninus
- Marcus Claudius Tacitus
- Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus
- Marcus Cocceius Firmus
- Marcus Cornelius Nigrinus Curiatius Maternus
- Marcus Crassus Fortis
- Marcus Favonius Facilis
- Marcus Gavius Maximus
M, continued
- Marcus Helvius Geminus
- Marcus Helvius Rufus Civica
- Marcus Hordeonius Flaccus
- Marcus Junius Silanus Lutatius
- Marcus Junius Silanus Torquatus
- Marcus Laberius Maximus
- Marcus Licinius Crassus
- Marcus Livius Salinator
- Marcus Lollius Paulinus
- Marcus Lurius Pollio
- Marcus Minucius Rufus
- Marcus Nonius Macrinus
- Marcus Opellius Macrinus
- Marcus Papius Mutilus
M, continued
- Marcus Perperna Vento
- Marcus Petreius Scaurus
- Marcus Petronius Classicus
- Marcus Piavonius Victorinus
- Marcus Plautius Silvanus
- Marcus Pompeius Asper
- Marcus Porcius Cato Licinianus
- Marcus Pupius Piso
- Marcus Sergius Silus
- Marcus Silanus Clemens
- Marcus Statius Priscus
- Marcus Terentius Varro
- Marcus Titius Tubero
- Marcus Trebius Gallus
M, continued
- Marcus Ulpius Traianus
- Marcus Ulpius Vehilius
- Marcus Valerius Celerinus
- Marcus Valerius Corvus
- Marcus Valerius Maximianus
- Marcus Valerius Messalla Barbatus
- Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus
- Marcus Valerius Messalla Messallinus
- Marcus Vettius Bolanus
- Marcus Vettius Latro
- Marcus Vettius Valens
- Marcus Vinicius Celer
- Marcus Vinicius Paetus
- Marcus Vinicius Quartinus
- Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa
N: 5 names
- Nero Claudius Drusus
- Nonius Datus
- Numerius Atilius Strabo
- Numerius Domitius Crispinus
- Numerius Fabius Buteo
P: 34 names
- Petronius Fortunatus
- Poenius Postumus
- Publius Aelius Dubitatus
- Publius Aelius Hadrianus Afer
- Publius Attius Varus
- Publius Aurelius Germanus
- Publius Canidius Crassus
- Publius Considius Longus
- Publius Cornelius Dolabella
- Publius Cornelius Lentulus Scipio
- Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus
P, continued
- Publius Cornelius Sulla Felix
- Publius Crassus Mucianus
- Publius Decius Mus
- Publius Flavius Ianuarius
- Publius Flavoleius Cordus
- Publius Helvius Pertinax
- Publius Horatius Cocles
- Publius Licinius Crassus Dives
- Publius Licinius Valerianus
- Publius Maenius Primus
- Publius Ostorius Scapula
P, continued
- Publius Quinctilius Varus
- Publius Rutilius Rufus
- Publius Servilius Casca Longus
- Publius Servilius Vatia Isauricus
- Publius Sextius Baculus
- Publius Silius Nerva
- Publius Sulpicius Quirinius
- Publius Sulpicius Rufus
- Publius Tutilius
- Publius Valerius Comazon
- Publius Ventidius Bassus
- Publius Vettius Longus
Q: 45 names
- Quintus Aemilius Laetus
- Quintus Antistius Adventus
- Quintus Antonius Isauricus
- Quintus Arrius Secundus
- Quintus Atrius Valens
- Quintus Aurelius Polus Terentianus
- Quintus Caecilius Bassus
- Quintus Caecilius Faustus
- Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus
- Quintus Cassius Longinus Varus
- Quintus Cornelius Bibulus
- Quintus Cornelius Proculus
- Quintus Curius Dentatus
- Quintus Dellius Paetus
- Quintus Fabius Maximus Cunctator
Q, continued
- Quintus Fabius Maximus Rullianus
- Quintus Fufius Calenus
- Quintus Fulginius
- Quintus Gargilius Martialis
- Quintus Glitius Atilius Agricola
- Quintus Haterius Agrippa
- Quintus Herennius Etruscus
- Quintus Julius Vitalis
- Quintus Junius Blaesus
- Quintus Junius Celsus
- Quintus Licinius Modestus
- Quintus Ligarius Bassus
- Quintus Lollius Urbicus
- Quintus Lutatius Catulus
- Quintus Marcius Rex
Q, continued
- Quintus Naevius Sutorius Macro
- Quintus Pedius Fuscus
- Quintus Petillius Cerialis
- Quintus Pompeius Falco
- Quintus Pompeius Rufus
- Quintus Poppaeus Secundus
- Quintus Salvidienus Rufus
- Quintus Sertorius Celer
- Quintus Sertorius Festus
- Quintus Servilius Caepio
- Quintus Sosius Senecio
- Quintus Titurius Sabinus
- Quintus Velanius Pius
- Quintus Veranius Nepos
- Quintus Vibius Crispus
R: 1 name
- Rufus Sita
S: 20 names
- Septimius Licinius
- Septimius Montanus Immunis
- Servius Fabius Proculus
- Servius Sulpicius Galba
- Sextus Afranius Burrus
- Sextus Appuleius Saturninus
- Sextus Calpurnius Agricola
- Sextus Julius Frontinus
- Sextus Julius Severus
- Sextus Marcius Priscus
S, continued
- Sextus Pompeius Magnus Pius
- Sextus Pompullius Quietus
- Sextus Tigidius Perennis
- Sextus Valerius Genialis
- Sextus Valerius Taurus
- Sextus Vibius Gallus
- Spurius Antonius Sabinianus
- Spurius Ligustinus
- Spurius Postumius Albinus
- Spurius Veturius Bassus
T: 31 names
- Tiberius Claudius Candidus
- Tiberius Claudius Fatalis
- Tiberius Claudius Lupercus
- Tiberius Claudius Maximus
- Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus
- Tiberius Claudius Quartinus
- Tiberius Claudius Vitalis
- Tiberius Julius Abdes Pantera
- Tiberius Julius Pudens
- Tiberius Plautius Silvanus Aelianus
T, continued
- Tiberius Pompeius Silvanus
- Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus
- Titus Aurelius Flavinus
- Titus Avidius Quietus
- Titus Calidius Severus
- Titus Claudius Secundinus
- Titus Didius Nerva
- Titus Flaminius
- Titus Flavius Sabinus
- Titus Flavius Secundus
T, continued
- Titus Flavius Vespasianus
- Titus Flavius Virilis
- Titus Junius Ferox
- Titus Labienus Verus
- Titus Manlius Torquatus
- Titus Pullo
- Titus Quinctius Flamininus
- Titus Sextius Africanus
- Titus Statilius Taurus
- Titus Statilius Taurus Corvinus
- Titus Terrasidius Flaccus
U: 1 name
- Ulpius Honoratus Vexillarius