Constant

(male) Medieval form of the Late Latin name Constans ‘steadfast’ (genitive Constantis). This was not a common name in the Middle Ages, but was used particularly in the Maude family. The vernacular variant Costin is also found. The name was taken up more widely among Christians from the 17th century onwards, partly because of its transparent meaning and partly as expressing a determination to follow the exhortations of St Peter: ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist stedfast (constant) in the faith’ (1 Peter 5:8–9).