Julian

Julian comes from the Latin name Iulianus, a derivative of the Roman family name Iulius, itself likely rooted in the Greek Ioulos, meaning downy-bearded or youthful. The name was widely used in the Roman Empire and is associated with Julian the Apostate, the fourth-century emperor who attempted to restore traditional Roman religion after the rise of Christianity. It was also borne by Julian of Norwich, the fourteenth-century English mystic and theologian. Related forms include Julien in French, Julián in Spanish, and the feminine variants Juliana and Julianne.