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Home › Baby Names Directory › Festus

Festus

♂ Boy

Pronounced FES-tuhs /ˈfɛs.təs/Medium

Meaning: Festus is a Latin name from festus, 'festive, joyful, of a holiday.' It is remembered as the name of Porcius Festus, the Roman governor of Judea before whom the Apostle Paul made his defense in the Book of Acts, and it saw quiet Christian use as a given name.Low

In 30 seconds: Festus is a Latin name meaning 'festive, joyful,' also a biblical Roman governor. It was rare among American boys, peaking in the nineteen-teens.
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Origin LowLatin
MeaningFestus is a Latin name from festus, 'festive, joyful, of a holiday.' It is remembered as the name of Porcius Festus, the Roman governor of Judea before whom the Apostle Paul made his defense in the Book of Acts, and it saw quiet Christian use as a given name.
U.S. rank (2023)#12824 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1916
Total births (all-time)≈ 371

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191718832023

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

Festus comes from the Latin festus, 'festive, joyful,' the same root behind 'festival.' Its best-known bearer is Porcius Festus, the first-century Roman governor of Judea before whom the Apostle Paul appealed to Caesar in the Book of Acts. The name kept a modest Christian following and later gained recognition as a character name on the television series Gunsmoke.

It was never common, given to only about sixteen boys a year around its peak near 1916, with only occasional use since.

Did you know? The Roman governor Porcius Festus appears in the Book of Acts hearing Paul's case; the name later reached wide television audiences through the character Festus on Gunsmoke.
Overall data confidence 45%
References - Festus — Latin festus 'festive/joyful'; biblical Roman governor Porcius Festus (Acts); TV Gunsmoke

Variations

FestisFestas

Nicknames

Fess

Famous Bearers

  • ★Porcius Festus (1st century AD)
    Roman governor of Judea who heard the Apostle Paul's case in the Book of Acts

If you like Festus…

Cletus— a like Latin -us vintage name
Amos— a similar biblical vintage name
Silas— a related biblical boy's name
Otis— a like old -us name

Explore names like Festus

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Festus mean?

It is a Latin name meaning 'festive, joyful'; it is also the name of the biblical Roman governor Porcius Festus.

How do you pronounce Festus?

It is said FES-tuhs /ˈfɛs.təs/, two syllables with the stress on the first.

Is Festus a boy or girl name?

Festus is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Festus?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about sixteen boys a year around its early-century peak.

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