The name Antonia is derived from the ancient Roman family name Antonius. It has its linguistic roots in the Latin language and culture. The name is thought to be related to the Latin word "ante", meaning "before" or "forward", suggesting a sense of preeminence or honor.

During the Roman Empire, the gens Antonia was a prominent patrician family that produced several notable individuals. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Antonia dates back to the 1st century BC, when Antonia Major, the daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia Minor, was born in 39 BC.

In the early Christian era, Saint Antonia of Alexandria, also known as Antonia the Elder, was a revered figure in the 4th century AD. She is recognized as one of the first prominent female ascetics and is venerated as a Desert Mother in the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Antonia. Antonia, the daughter of Emperor Claudius and Aelia Paetina, was a Roman princess who lived in the 1st century AD. Antonia Trillón, a Spanish noblewoman and author, was born in 1571 and is remembered for her literary works.

In the 19th century, Antonia Maria da Portolongone was an influential Italian-born nun who founded the Congregation of the Oblate Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer in 1855. She was canonized as a saint by Pope John Paul II in 1989.

Another notable figure was Antonia Brico, an American conductor who was born in 1902. She broke barriers as one of the first women to conduct major orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Antonia Maury, an American astronomer and physicist, was born in 1866 and made significant contributions to the field of stellar spectroscopy. She was the first woman admitted to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1908.