Anthony Name Meaning

Anthony is often used as a boy's name. Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Anthony.

Fact checked by Karen Cilli

According to some sources, the name Anthony means “priceless one” or “highly praiseworthy,” but others contend that its original meaning is unknown. Regardless of its meaning, it has remained a popular name choice for centuries.

With saints, artists, and nobility as namesakes throughout history, Anthony is a strong, classic name. An English form of the Roman family name Antonius, Anthony is often linked to Marcus Antonius (also known as Mark Antony), a notable Roman politician in the ancient world.

Mark Antony isn’t the only well-known historical figure with this name. Two prominent Catholic saints, the fourth-century Egyptian hermit St. Anthony the Great and the thirteenth-century Portuguese St. Anthony of Padua, also made the name famous.  

Origin: The name Anthony comes from the Roman family name Antonius. Its meaning is debated, though some say it means “priceless one” or “highly praiseworthy.”

Gender: Anthony is generally used as a boy’s name. However, feminine variations, such as Antonia and Antoinette, are common for girls.

Pronunciation: ANTH-uh-nee

Editor's Note

Although many baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.

How Popular Is the Name Anthony?

The name Anthony has enjoyed consistent popularity since baby name records have been kept in the United States. Since 1905, the name has been among the top 50 for boys, but was quite common even before that.

At its lowest point of recorded popularity in 1900, it ranked #67. Then, at its peak in 2007 and 2008, Anthony was the 7th most popular baby name for boys. As of 2022, the name ranked #44.

Although Anthony is most frequently used as a boy’s name, the Social Security Administration has tracked its use for girls as well. From 1961 to 1988, Anthony ranked in the top 1,000 baby names for girls.

Name Variations

Anthony has almost too many variations to count! It’s represented in numerous cultures, with examples including:

• Anakoni (Hawaiian)

• Andon (Macedonian)

• Antanas (Lithuanian)

• Antal (Hungarian)

• Antek (Polish)

• Anthon (Danish)

• Antin (Ukrainian)

• Antoine (French)

• Antonijs (Latvian)

• Antonio (Spanish, Italian)

• Antônio (Portuguese)

• Tone (Slovenian)

• Toni (Swahili)

Similar Names

Other boys’ names with connections to the Roman name Anthony include:

• Alexander

• Caesar

• Fabian

• Felix

• Julian

• Lucius

• Marcus

• Maximus

Other boys’ names beginning with A include:

• Abraham

• Adam

• Aiden

• Alan

• Alonzo

• Archer

• Arthur

• Ashton

• Austin

• Axel

Common Nicknames for Anthony

Many Anthonys go by a nickname at some point. Here are a few to consider:

• Tony (or Thony): Depending on your associations, the nickname Tony may conjure up movie star glamour—or a hint of rough-around-the-edges New York City grit. There’s no denying this nickname has appeared in its fair share of mobster movies, but that doesn’t mean it can’t also represent a friendly, down-to-earth image.

• Anton: For a more refined-sounding nickname for Anthony, consider Anton. This abbreviated version of the name carries a British sensibility, as many Brits pronounce Anthony with a hard “t.”

• Ant: Ant is a short and sweet abbreviation for Anthony. This nickname might make you think of an upbeat personality with a positive attitude.

Suggested Sibling Names

• Aaron

• Abigail

• Adrian

• Andrew

• Aurelia

• Cecilia

• Charlie

• Claudia

• Dominic

• Hank

• Helen

• Katie

• Sabina

• Serena

• Valeria

Famous People Named Anthony

Beginning with Mark Antony in Roman times, a series of well-known people have been attached to this name. Fictional Anthonys and Tonys also appear regularly in literature, TV, and movies. Here are some you may recognize.

Famous Anthonys

• St. Anthony of Padua, 13th century saint

• Anthony Bourdain, American chef and journalist

• Anthony Hopkins, British actor

• Anthony Trollope, English Victorian novelist

Famous Tonys

• Tony Bennett, American singer

• Tony Hawk, American skateboarder

• Tony Romo, American football player

• Tony Shalhoub, American actor

Fictional Famous Tonys

• Tony Micelli, protagonist of TV series Who’s the Boss? played by actor Tony Danza

• Tony Soprano, lead character of TV series The Sopranos, played by actor James Gandolfini

• Tony Stark, alter ego of Iron Man in the Marvel series
  

More Baby Names

Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:

• Top 1,000 Baby Boy Names

• 45 Gender-Neutral Baby Names

• 275 Popular Baby Names for Twins
  

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Read the original article on Parents.