A male name. Latin Horatius, the name of a famous patrician gens, amongst whose members were the legendary three Horatii who fought the three Curiatii, and Horatius Cocles who defended a bridge across the Tiber, single-handed. The chief glory of the name, however, and the reason for its survival, is Quintus Horatius Flaccus, the s. of a freedman who had adopted the name of Horatius. Its use as a christian name dates from the Renaissance, and seems to have started (as Horatio) in Italy (cf. Shakespeare’s Horatio in Hamlet). The earliest example in England was Sir Horatio Vere (1503-1635), 1st Lord Vere of Tilbury. His grandson, 1st Viscount Townshend, was named Horatio after him, and in turn stood sponsor to one of the ss. of his neighbour Sir Edward Walpole. The name was thenceforward much used by the Walpoles, sometimes written Horatio, sometimes Horace, but apparently usually called Horace. It was carried by marriage into the families of Suckling and Nelson. Horatio, 1st Viscount Nelson, received his name from his godfather and distant relative Horatio Walpole, 2nd Baron Walpole of Wolterton. It is a little surprising that the immense fame of the admiral did not bring his name into general use, but it remains for the most part still the peculiar property of a few families.

A variant of Horace probably suggested by Italian Orazio. Its C19-20 use, sadly diminished, is mainly prompted by hero-worship for Horatio Nelson.

Old French, from the root of Horace.

Latin (masculine) - Worthy to be beheld.