Erasmus
Erasmus is a Christian boy name of Greek, via Latin origin, meaning “Beloved, desired”.
| Meaning | Beloved, desired |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Greek, via Latin |
| Pronunciation | ih-RAZ-məs |
| Tradition | Christian |
| Used in | Netherlands, United Kingdom, Denmark |
Meaning and origin of Erasmus
Erasmus is the Latin form of the Greek erasmios, 'beloved' or 'lovely'. Saint Erasmus of Formia, also known as Saint Elmo, was an early bishop and martyr and became the patron of sailors; 'Saint Elmo's fire' is named after him. The Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus made the name famous in the Renaissance. Today it is best known through the European Union's Erasmus student exchange programme, named in his honour.
Is Erasmus a Christian name?
Erasmus is a Christian name through Saint Erasmus, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers venerated in Catholic tradition. It was also kept alive among Protestant families by admiration for the humanist scholar Erasmus.
How popular is Erasmus?
Rare as a first name in English; its short form Rasmus is common in Scandinavia.
Gifts with the name Erasmus
- Erasmus name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Erasmus baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Erasmus
Names similar to Erasmus
More Christian boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Erasmus mean?
Erasmus means 'Beloved, desired'. It is of Greek, via Latin origin.
Is Erasmus a Christian name?
Erasmus is a Christian name through Saint Erasmus, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers venerated in Catholic tradition. It was also kept alive among Protestant families by admiration for the humanist scholar Erasmus.
How do you pronounce Erasmus?
Erasmus is pronounced ih-RAZ-məs.
Is Erasmus a boy or girl name?
Erasmus is usually a boy name.