(male) The usual English form of the old Roman family name Antonius, which is of uncertain (probably Etruscan) origin. The spelling with -th- (not normally reflected in the pronunciation) represents a learned but erroneous attempt to associate it with Greek anthos ‘flower’. In the post-classical period it was a common name, borne by various early saints, most notably a 3rd-century Egyptian hermit monk, who is regarded as the founder of Christian monasticism.
Variant: Antony.
Short form: Tony.
Cognates: Irish: Antain(e). German, Dutch, Scandinavian: Anton. French: Antoine. Spanish: Antonio. Catalan: Antoni. Portuguese: António. Italian: Antonio. Russian, Bulgarian: Anton. Polish: Antoni. Czech: Antonín (from Latin Antoninus). Croatian: Ante, Antun. Slovenian: Anton. Hungarian: Antal. Lithuanian: Antanas (from Latin Antoninus).