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Home › Baby Names Directory › Aelius

Aelius

♂ Boy

Pronounced EE-lee-us /ˈi.li.əs/Medium

Meaning: Aelius is a real Roman nomen — the name of the gens Aelia, an established Roman family. Its most famous bearer is the emperor Hadrian, born Publius Aelius Hadrianus. The root of the name itself is not settled: it is sometimes linked to Greek helios, 'sun', but that connection is debated, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A real Roman family name: the emperor Hadrian was Publius Aelius Hadrianus (said 'EE-lee-us'). Its own root is debated, which we note.
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Origin MediumLatin
MeaningAelius is a real Roman nomen — the name of the gens Aelia, an established Roman family. Its most famous bearer is the emperor Hadrian, born Publius Aelius Hadrianus. The root of the name itself is not settled: it is sometimes linked to Greek helios, 'sun', but that connection is debated, which we note.
U.S. rank (2023)#12280 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 16

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202220212023

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Aelius is a Roman nomen, the name of the gens Aelia — a genuine Roman family, whose most famous member became the emperor Hadrian (Publius Aelius Hadrianus). The name is also carried by the writer Aelius Aristides and others of the imperial era. Its own etymology is debated: a link to Greek helios, 'sun', is sometimes proposed but not established, which we note.

It is newly emerging for boys in the U.S. Very rare, classical, and genuinely ancient.

Did you know? Aelius is not an invention — it was the family name of the gens Aelia, and the emperor Hadrian bore it: Publius Aelius Hadrianus. A link to Greek helios, 'sun', is often suggested but is not settled (said 'EE-lee-us').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Aelius — Roman nomen, gens Aelia; Hadrian = Publius Aelius Hadrianus; root debated

Variations

AelioEliusAelian

Nicknames

AelEliLio

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Aelius…

Aurelius— a like Roman gens name in modern use
Cassius— a like classical -ius boys' name
Atticus— shares the Roman-revival mood
Julius— a like genuine Roman family name

Explore names like Aelius

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Aelius mean?

Aelius is a Roman family name (the gens Aelia), borne by the emperor Hadrian. Its own root is debated — a link to Greek helios, 'sun', is proposed but unsettled.

How do you pronounce Aelius?

It's said EE-lee-us /ˈi.li.əs/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Aelius a boy or girl name?

Aelius is a boy's name; it was a Roman family name borne by men.

How popular is Aelius?

Aelius is very rare and newly emerging for boys in the U.S.

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