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{{LanguageBar | Choosing a Roman name}} {{Censores}} The system of [[Roman name]]s was unique and distinctive in the ancient world. A foreigner becoming a Roman citizen took a new Roman name as a mark of citizenship. In [[Nova Roma]], too, we ask that you choose a Roman name when you become a citizen. We encourage you to choose a personal, unique name to identify you, and to express your Roman identity, unique and indivitual to you. '''Please study this article diligently before you apply for citizenship.''' The [[censores (Nova Roma)|''censores'']] will approve any Roman name that follows the characteristics of [[Roman name|classical Roman naming conventions]], but we also highly encourage you to follow the ancient practice of the new citizens of the old Roman Empire, who, upon receiving Roman citizenship, latinized their own original foreign name to make it part of their Roman name. [[Choosing_a_Roman_name#Latinizing your own name|'''Latinizing your native name''']] to make it your [[cognomen]] is '''the most Roman thing to do''': please [mailto:novaromacontact@gmail.com ask help from us] and we will latinize your original name. The name you choose is the name you will be known by in Nova Roma '''forever''', because '''name change will not be allowed''' after the 90 days of probationary citizenship period has ended; so '''choose carefully and seriously'''. These pages, and other articles on our website, contain information to help you. If, '''after reading this''', you have any more questions, please [mailto:novaromacontact@gmail.com contact the ''censores'']. <div style="float:left; padding: 0em 1em 0em 0em">__TOC__</div> ===Before you start selecting the name=== Before you would start thinking about the perfect Roman name for you, take into consideration that Nova Roma pays special attention to real family structure and Roman family system. Individual family branches, called '''''domús''''', within the '''''[[gens (Nova Roma)|gens]]''''', are distinguished by the '''''[[nomen]]-[[cognomen]]'' combination'''. If you like a certain nomen-cognomen combination, you should check it in our [http://www.novaroma.org/civitas/album ''Album Civium''] if the same nomen-cognomen combination has already been taken by others. If it's already taken, you will have to request the family's approval that they acknowledge you as their relative. Nova Roman families usually welcome new members into their ''domus'', but you might not want to belong to a virtual cousinhood. Therefore it's advisable to choose a nomen-cognomen combination that has not yet been taken, and to start your own ''domus''. '''[[gens (Nova Roma)|Learn more...]]''' <br style="clear:both"/> {{Template:Roman name articles}} {{:Roman name}} Read more about [[Roman name|names in ancient Rome]]. ==''Praenomen''== {{TableOfPraenomina}} {{:Praenomen}} Read more about [[Praenomen|''praenomina'' in ancient Rome]]. There are only a small number of ''praenomina'' in ordinary use. These are used by the vast majority of Novi Romani, as they were by the vast majority of ancient Romans. There are also some rarer ''praenomina'', most of them very old ones. If you have some good reason to want a rare ''praenomen'', you may be allowed to have one, but such requests are very rarely granted and must be personally authorized by the [[Censor (Nova Roma)|Censor]]. We strongly recommend that you choose one of the standard ones. When choosing a Roman name you are advised to try to find out whether any particular traditions are followed within the ''gens'' you wish to join. This can be done, for example, by contacting existing members and by looking at information about [[:Category:Gentes (Nova Roma)|''gentes'']] on this website. <br style="clear:both"/> ==''Nomen''== {{:Nomen}} Read more about [[nomen|''nomina'' in ancient Rome]]. In ancient times a new citizen would almost always join an existing ''gens'', and similarly in Nova Roma we ask you to choose a ''nomen'' from a closed list. '''Many ancient Roman ''nomina'' which are not listed here may also be acceptable.''' If you want to use a ''nomen'' which is not on this list, the [[Censor (Nova Roma)|''censores'']] will consider your request (please read about [[:Category:Unhistorical_Gentes|Unhistorical or Unattested Gentes]]). <br style="clear:both"/> {{TableOfNomina}} <br style="clear:both"/> <!-- This is broken To see the members of a ''gens'', or other details of a ''gens'', see the [http://www.novaroma.org/bin/view/gentes ''Album Gentium''].--> ==''Cognomen''== {{:Cognomen}} Read more about [[cognomen|''cognomina'' in ancient Rome]]. Almost everyone has a ''cognomen'', and it is difficult to distinguish different families within a ''gens'' unless ''cognomina'' are used. However, strictly speaking, ''cognomina'' are not compulsory. If you don't choose one when you first apply for citizenship, you will still be able to add one later. '''We do discourage taking typical ''cognomina'' of very popular and extremely famous Roman historical characters''' like *'''Caesar, Cato, Cicero, Scipio, Sulla etc.''' and '''some other popular nicely ringing names that are very much overused in our community,''' like *'''Agricola, Agrippa, Aquila, Lupus, Marcellus, Saturninus, Severus'''. '''You are encouraged to choose a unique name''' to identify '''you''', but the most Roman thing to do is to incorporate the [[Choosing_a_Roman_name#Latinising_your_own_name|latinized]] version of your own name into your new Roman ''tria nomina'': [mailto:novaromacontact@gmail.com you can ask help from the censors here]. It is important to understand that a ''cognomen'' is not a way for you to express your innermost thoughts or aspirations, or to boast about your wonderful qualities. It is just a name. To help you choose a ''cognomen'', there is a list of ancient Roman ''cognomina'' below. But this is not a complete list - the Romans often created new ''cognomina'', and if you want to have one which is not on the list we will be happy to discuss this with you. A ''cognomen'' used in the ancient republic will normally be acceptable so long as it complies with the general characteristics noted above. Names referring to whole countries or [[Provincia (Nova Roma)|provinces]] (e.g. '''Hispanus''', "man from Hispania") are not normally allowed because they are not distinctive enough: if everyone in Hispania were called '''Hispanus''', it would be very confusing! But such names may be appropriate if you live away from your native country (e.g. a citizen from Hispania living in America might be called '''Hispanus'''). If you would like to use a geographical or occupational ''cognomen'', the [[Censor (Nova Roma)|''censores'']] will work with you to find an appropriate one. ===Multiple ''cognomina''=== In some cases it may be appropriate to have more than one ''cognomen''. This is normally only allowed where you use a Latinized form of your own name, but may also be appropriate if you are joining a family which contains a large number of people who all have the same ''nomen'' and ''cognomen''. If you think you have a good reason to want more than one ''cognomen'', the [[Censor (Nova Roma)|''censores'']] will discuss it with you. ===Other Latin words=== Many ordinary Latin nouns and adjectives can be used as ''cognomina''. If there is some particular Latin word you would like to use as a ''cognomen'', or if you would like a ''cognomen'' with a particular meaning, the [[Censor (Nova Roma)|''censores'']] will work with you to find an appropriate name. Write to the Censorial Office and [mailto:novaromacontact@gmail.com ask their assistance]. ===''Agnomina''=== {{:Agnomen}} There are several types of ''[[agnomen]]'' which serve a particular purpose and which are therefore '''not available for new citizens''': ;Adoptive ''agnomina'' : When a Roman citizen is adopted by another, he takes the name of his adoptive father, but adds a special ''cognomen'' to indicate his former identity. This ''cognomen'' is formed from his old ''nomen'', with the ''-ius'' ending replaced with an ''-ianus'' ending. For example, when L. Aemilius Paullus was adopted by P. Cornelius Scipio he became P. Cornelius Scipio '''Aemilianus'''. ;Honorific ''agnomina'' : Sometimes very eminent Romans were given honorific ''cognomina'' in recognition of their great achievements. These were the exception to the general rule that ''cognomina'' were not complimentary. Such honorific ''cognomina'' are called ''agnomina''. Obviously a person cannot give himself an ''agnomen'': it is always given by others. Honorific ''cognomina'' like '''Germanicus''' or '''Britannicus''' do not refer to a place of origin but to a military achievement. If someone is called '''Britannicus''' it means he won a great victory against the Britons. Names like this are not allowed, for obvious reasons. ;Matronymic ''agnomina'' : In very rare cases a Roman might use an extra ''cognomen'' formed from his mother's ''nomen''. The ''-ia'' ending was replaced with an ''-ianus'' ending or an ''-inus'' ending. For example, M. Porcius Cato had one son by his first wife Licinia, and another son by his second wife Salonia. Each son was called M. Porcius Cato. To tell them apart, people called them M. Porcius Cato Licinianus and M. Porcius Cato Salonianus. <br style="clear:both"/> {{TableOfCognomina}} <br style="clear:both"/> ===Latinizing your own name=== Often when a foreigner became a Roman citizen in ancient times he would keep his old name as a ''cognomen'', adjusting it to make it easier for Latin-speakers to say and giving it a Latin ending. This is also a common option in Nova Roma. If you choose this option, you can use either your first name or your surname, or both. If you use both, they will be put in reverse order. For example, Robert Grant would take the ''cognomina'' '''Grandis Robertus'''. This is because in a Roman name the second ''cognomen'' is more individual than the first. If you would like to use a Latin form of your own name, the [[Censor (Nova Roma)|''censores'']] will work with you to find the appropriate form. ==How to use Roman names== What follows here is short guidance on [[how to use Roman names]]. The way you will have to use your Roman name and how others will address you may influence your decision when selecting the perfect Roman name for you; so this is a must to read by anone who is about to chose his Roman name. For more information about the rules of using Roman names, read our longer and more detailed description "[[Using Roman names]]". ===How many names?=== As a general rule, the more formal the context, the more names are used. The use of all three (or more) names is very formal. Calling someone '''M. Tullius Cicero''' is roughly equivalent to calling someone '''Mr Robert James Grant, Esquire'''. Two names are normally enough to make it clear who you are talking to or about. Using two names is formal and polite. Calling someone '''M. Tullius''' is roughly equivalent to calling someone '''Robert Grant''' or '''Mr Grant'''. When you mention someone for the first time in a speech or a letter, or when greeting someone, it is common to use two names. Use of one name is relatively relaxed and informal. If you already in the middle of a conversation with someone, or in the middle of talking about someone, you might well call him by just one name, especially if you know him reasonably well. Calling someone '''Cicero''' is roughly equivalent to calling someone '''Robert'''. But in formal situations or when first mentioning someone, using only one name may be over-familiar and could be impolite. Which names you call someone by depends partly on how many names you are using. ====Two names==== When calling someone by two names, which names you use depends on the status of the person you're naming. If the person is a [[nobilis (Nova Roma)|''nobilis'']], it is proper to call him by his ''praenomen'' and ''cognomen'', e.g. '''P. Scipio'''. If he is a [[homo novus (Nova Roma)|''homo novus'']], one would normally call him by his ''praenomen'' and ''nomen'', e.g. '''M. Tullius'''. Most people in Nova Roma are ''homines novi'', so most people are normally called by their ''praenomen'' and ''nomen''. ====One name==== When calling someone by only one name, it is normal to use the ''nomen'' or ''cognomen'' for males, and the ''nomen'' for females. A ''nobilis'' should always be called by his ''cognomen''. A ''homo novus'' is normally called by his ''nomen'' unless the frequency of this particular ''nomen'' would make it unclear who you are talking about. Where a person has more than one ''cognomen'', you should normally use the first one. The ''[[praenomen]]'' is essentially a private name, for use within the family. You should not call a Roman by just his ''praenomen'' unless he is your close relative or very, very close friend. Even spouses do not generally call each other by their ''praenomina'' alone - they generally use ''nomina'' or ''cognomina''. ===Latin vocatives=== When you call someone by name, you have to use the [[vocative]] case and change the ending of the name to indicate that you are talking ''to'' the person, not ''about'' him. As a general rule, names ending in ''-us'' take an ending ''-e'' (e.g. '''Brutus''' -> '''Brute'''), though names ending in ''-ius'' turn to ''-i'' (e.g. '''Tullius''' -> '''Tulli'''). Names ending in ''-a'' and names with other endings do not change at all. You may notice some people using vocative endings when they are talking about someone in the third person (e.g. "I was talking to Brute yesterday"). Don't be confused - you are right, they are wrong. ===Addresses other than names=== Some modern Latin-speakers use "''dominus''" and "''domina''" as equivalents of English "Mr" and "Miss" or "Mrs". This is strongly discouraged. "''Dominus''" means "lord" or "master", and addressing someone in this way is very servile and grovelling. Expressing respect, honor and formality is possibly by the use of ''praenomen'' before the nomen or cognomen, as it has been described above in the section "'''Two names'''". Though Romans do not generally go in for titles in a big way, it is not uncommon to call a [[Consul (Nova Roma)|Consul]] by the title "Consul", for example, especially when speaking in a political context or discussing business relevant to the office. Likewise one may call one's patron by the title "''patronus''". Most of the time people who know each other but are not especially close call each other by name, sometimes with "''mi''" (see below). Sometimes they will use brief descriptions, e.g. ''iuvenis'' (young man), ''amicus'' (friend), ''senex'' (old man). ==References== <references/> [[Category:Nova Roma]]

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