Gender: Masculine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “just.”
Eng (JUST-us); Germ (YUWS-tuws)
The name is derived from the Latin word for “just.” It was borne by at least 8 saints, one of whom was a Roman bishop sent to England to convert the Anglo-Saxons in the 7th-century.
The name was also borne by a son of the Roman Jewish Historian, Josephus, whose full name was Titus Flavius Justus (b.76 B.C.E). It was actually a common name among the early Roman/Italian Jewish community.
Another notable bearer was the 15th-century Dutch painter, known as Joos van Gent.
Currently, Justus is the 92nd most popular male name in Germany, (2011). His rankings in other countries are as follows:
- # 68 (Jošt, Slovenia, 2010)
- # 130 (Joost, Netherlands, 2010)
- #848 (United States, 2010)
Other forms of the name include:
- Joos (Dutch)
- Joost (Dutch)
- Justus (Dutch/English/Finnish/German/Latin/Romansch/Scandivanian)
- Juste (French)
- Jusztusz (Hungarian)
- Giusto (Italian)
- Just (Polish)
- Güst (Romansch)
- Jüst (Romansch)
- Justo (Spanish)
Feminine forms include:
- Justa (Dutch/German/Latin/Polish/Spanish)
- Giusta (Italian)
Gender: Masculine
Gender: Masculine
Gender: Masculine
Gender: Masculine
Gender: Masculine
Gender: Feminine
The name is also borne by German Olympic Gold Medal Figure Skater, Katarina Witt (b.1965)
Gender: Feminine
The name is also borne by a very popular 3rd century saint. St. Maurice was an Egyptian by birth and a Roman citizen. He served in the Roman army and was apart of the Theban legions, which had been stationed in Switzerland at the time of the saint’s martyrdom. According to legend, Emperor Maximian ordered Maurice and his legions to destroy a local Christian community, when Maurice and his followers refused to harass fellow Christians, the emperor ordered them to be executed. The area of martyrdom is now known as Saint Maurice-en-Valais and the Abbey of Saint Maurice-en-Valais supposedly houses the saint’s relics.
The saint also gave his name to another town in Switzerland: St. Moritz, (Top of the World), is a beautiful little resort town that sits in the Valley of Engadine and the canton of Graubünden. Their coat of arms actually features the legendary saint. St. Maurice is also venerated among Coptic Christians. In fact, the names Maurice and Maurikios are fairly common among Egyptian Christians.
Gender: Masculine