Juvenal

Meaning & origin

Juvenal is a name of classical Roman origin, derived from the Latin cognomen Iuvenalis, meaning 'youthful.' The name's lasting fame comes from the Roman satirist Decimus Iunius Iuvenalis, whose scathing works lampooned Roman society in the late first and early second centuries AD. In the United States, the name has been in rare but continuous use since at least 1922, with its highest popularity in 1991 (the peak year) when it ranked 8243. As of 2025, it remains a distinctive choice, with approximately 1 birth per 189,786 newborns. While the name has never been common, it holds a steady appeal for lovers of Latin literature and history. Its trajectory shows a gradual decline since the 1990s, suggesting a niche but enduring presence.

Juvenal is derived from the Latin cognomen Iuvenalis, meaning 'youthful' or 'of youth.' The name is most famously borne by the Roman satirical poet Decimus Iunius Iuvenalis, known as Juvenal, who wrote in the late 1st and early 2nd centuries AD. His works, particularly the Satires, have ensured the name's enduring literary association. In more recent times, Juvenal has been used as a given name primarily in Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries.