Britannia
/brɪˈtæn.i.ə/noun
The Latin name and personification of Britain, especially in Roman and later British symbolism.
Did you know?The seated, helmeted figure of Britannia first appeared on Roman coins under Emperor Hadrian, centuries before becoming a symbol of Britain.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Roman period
Celtic
*Pritani̯ā
“A reconstructed Celtic name associated with the Britons; its deeper meaning remains uncertain.”
4th century BCE
Greek
Πρεττανική (Prettanikē)
“The Greek geographical name for Britain, recorded by Pytheas and later writers.”
1st century BCE–1st century CE
Latin
Britannia
“The Roman name for Britain, used especially for the island and later the Roman province.”
2nd century CE
Latin
Britannia
“A personified female figure representing the province of Britain, shown on Roman coinage.”
Old English period
Old English
Bryttania
“A learned form referring to Britain in historical and ecclesiastical writing.”
Modern English
English
Britannia
“A poetic, ceremonial, or symbolic name for Britain, often represented as a helmeted female figure.”