Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ignatius
BoyLatin· “from Roman family name Egnatius”
- Meaning
- from Roman family name Egnatius
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- ig-NAY-shus
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,664
- US babies 2025
- 100
- Best rank
- #555 (1906)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Ignatius
Ignatius is a Latin name that means “from Roman family name Egnatius”.
Ignatius comes from the Roman family name Egnatius, whose origin is unknown. The spelling changed in early Christian times because people associated it with Latin ignis, "fire," a link that is folk etymology rather than true history. Saint Ignatius of Antioch, a second-century bishop and martyr, was an early bearer. The Spanish soldier turned priest Ignatius of Loyola founded the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, and made the name widely known in Catholic countries. It is said ig-NAY-shus in English. Forms in other languages include Ignacio, Ignazio and Ignace. Iggy and Nate are possible nicknames for a name with real depth.
Popularity over time
Ignatius first appears in US Social Security records in 1885. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 43 different years, starting in 1886. Its best national rank was #555 in 1906, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 100 were named Ignatius. In 2025, 100 babies were named Ignatius, and it ranked #1,664 nationally. That is 67% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #642 in 1920, #1,913 in 1950, #8,538 in 2000, #3,198 in 2010, and #1,664 in 2025. Of the 4,075 US boys named Ignatius since records began, 18% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 642 babies. Since 2010, 1,096 more have been named Ignatius.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jahari, Hussain, Adonai, Bennet, and Conan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ignatius ranked highest in Kansas, Washington, and Michigan.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | #367 | 10 |
| Washington | #943 | 6 |
| Michigan | #1035 | 6 |
| Pennsylvania | #1315 | 5 |
| Ohio | #1356 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Ignatius is usually pronounced ig-NAY-shus, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with I and ends in “-us”.
Middle names for Ignatius
A few middle names that flow with Ignatius: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ignatius
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Lists that include Ignatius
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ignatius mean?
Ignatius is a Latin name that means “from Roman family name Egnatius”.
What is the origin of the name Ignatius?
Ignatius has Latin roots. Ignatius comes from the Roman family name Egnatius, whose origin is unknown.
Is Ignatius a popular name?
Not especially. Ignatius ranked #1,664 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ignatius a boy or girl name?
Ignatius is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Ignatius?
Ignatius is usually pronounced ig-NAY-shus. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings