Find out how popular the first name Pius has been for the last 43 years (from 1982 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Pius by gender

Based on the last 43 years of data, Pius is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Pius.

The history of the first name Pius

The name Pius has its origins in the Latin language, derived from the word "pius" which means pious, religious, or dutiful. It can be traced back to ancient Roman times, where it was commonly used as a cognomen or additional name to indicate a person's virtue and devotion to religious practices.

In the early Christian era, the name gained significance as it was adopted by several influential figures within the Catholic Church. One of the most notable bearers of this name was Pope Pius I, who served as the Bishop of Rome from around 140 to 155 AD. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and is believed to have died a martyr during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius.

Another prominent figure who bore this name was Pope Pius V, born Antonio Michele Ghislieri in 1504. He is remembered for his role in the Council of Trent, which aimed to reform the Catholic Church and address the challenges posed by the Protestant Reformation. Pope Pius V was also instrumental in forming the Holy League, a coalition of Catholic states that defeated the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.

In the realm of literature, the name Pius appears in Virgil's Aeneid, where it is used to describe the character of Aeneas, who is depicted as a pious and dutiful leader. This association with virtue and righteousness further solidified the name's positive connotations.

The name Pius has been borne by several other notable individuals throughout history, including Pius VII (1742-1823), who was Pope during the turbulent period of the Napoleonic Wars, and Pius XII (1876-1958), whose pontificate spanned World War II and the early years of the Cold War.

Outside the Catholic Church, the name Pius has also been used by various individuals, such as Pius Rameka (1938-2022), a prominent New Zealand politician and activist of Māori descent, and Pius Cheung (born 1966), a Hong Kong actor and singer.

Overall, the name Pius has a rich historical legacy, originating from Latin and closely associated with religious devotion, virtue, and righteous conduct. Its use by numerous influential figures, particularly within the Catholic Church, has further cemented its significance and enduring appeal across different cultures and eras.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Pius was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Pius, please contact us.

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