Horace

boyLatin

Horace is a boy name of Latin origin, meaning “From the Roman Horatius family”.

MeaningFrom the Roman Horatius family
GenderBoy
OriginLatin
PronunciationHOR-iss
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited Kingdom, United States

Meaning and origin of Horace

Horace comes from Horatius, the name of an ancient Roman family whose origin and meaning are unknown. Its best-known bearer is the Roman poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus, called Horace in English, whose Odes gave us phrases like carpe diem. The common gloss 'timekeeper' comes from a guessed link with Latin hora, 'hour', and is not reliable. The name was popular in Britain and America in the nineteenth century.

Is Horace a religious name?

Horace is a classical Roman name with no religious background.

How popular is Horace?

Rare for babies, though it has a small vintage revival in Britain.

Gifts with the name Horace

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Spellings and variants of Horace

Names similar to Horace

More boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Horace mean?

Horace means 'From the Roman Horatius family'. It is of Latin origin.

Does Horace have a religious meaning?

Horace is a classical Roman name with no religious background.

How do you pronounce Horace?

Horace is pronounced HOR-iss.

Is Horace a boy or girl name?

Horace is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.