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Victor

♂ Boy

Pronounced VIK-ter /ˈvɪk.tər/High

Meaning: Conqueror; victor; from Latin victor (conqueror), from vincere (to conquer)High

In 30 seconds: A triumphant Latin name meaning 'conqueror.' Used by Romans, popes, and saints, Victor carries two millennia of heroic associations and enjoys steady global popularity today.
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Origin HighLatin
MeaningConqueror; victor; from Latin victor (conqueror), from vincere (to conquer)
Peak year1990
Total births (all-time)≈ 315,431

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199018802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Victor comes directly from the Latin victor, meaning 'conqueror' or 'winner,' from the verb vincere ('to conquer, to win'). It was used in ancient Rome as both a given name and a title. Several early Christian martyrs and three popes took the name, and it spread throughout the Roman Catholic world during the medieval period.

Victor has been in continuous use across Europe and Latin America for two millennia. In the United States it has been a consistent top-200 boys' name, particularly popular in Hispanic and Latino communities. It remains widely used across France, Spain, and their former colonies. The French writer Victor Hugo (1802–1885) is among its most celebrated literary bearers.

Did you know? The name Victor was borne by three popes and several early Christian martyrs, cementing its status as a name associated with spiritual victory — not just military conquest.

Variations

ViktorVíctorVittorio

Nicknames

VicVito

Famous Bearers

  • ★Victor Hugo (1802–1885)
    French poet and novelist, author of <em>Les Misérables</em> and <em>The Hunchback of Notre-Dame</em>.

If you like Victor…

Vincent— same Latin root word family (vincere), equally classic
Felix— another joyful Latin classic on the same revival trend
Julian— long-used Latin classic equally popular across the Hispanic world

Frequently Asked

What does the name Victor mean?

Victor means 'conqueror' or 'winner' from the Latin victor, derived from vincere (to conquer).

How do you pronounce Victor?

Victor is pronounced VIK-ter (/ˈvɪk.tər/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Victor a boy or girl name?

Victor is used exclusively as a boy's name; Victoria is the feminine form.

How popular is Victor?

Victor has been a consistent top-200 U.S. boys' name for decades, especially popular in Latino communities.