Origin and Meaning of Claudius

Lame, crippled

Origin: Latin - Derived from the Roman family name 'Claudius', which is believed to be related to the Latin word 'claudus', meaning 'lame' or 'crippled'.

• Claudius was a name borne by Roman emperors, most notably Claudius who ruled from 41 to 54 AD and is known for significant expansion of the Roman Empire.
• In ancient Rome, members of the Claudian family were prominent, and the name has been used throughout European history.
• Famous literary references include Shakespeare's play 'Hamlet', which features a character named Claudius, the king of Denmark.
• While not extremely common today, Claudius experienced a resurgence of interest in the 19th century, particularly among those fascinated by Roman history.
• Variations of the name Claudius include Claud, Claude, and Claudia, the latter being its feminine form.