Julian

Julian is a Latin name derived from the Roman family name Iulianus, itself a derivative of Iulius, the clan name of the ancient Julian gens, likely rooted in the Greek Ioulos, meaning downy-bearded or relating to the god Zeus through the element Dios. The name was borne by the Roman emperor Julian the Apostate, who briefly attempted to restore paganism in the fourth century, and by Saint Julian the Hospitaller, a popular medieval figure. It became widespread across Europe through Christian martyrs and the Julian calendar, attributed to Julius Caesar. Related forms include Julien in French, Julián in Spanish, and the feminine variants Julia and Juliana.