Cato
/ˈkeɪtoʊ/noun
A Roman family name, especially associated with the statesmen Marcus Porcius Cato the Elder and Cato the Younger.
Did you know?Cato the Younger became a symbol of Stoic resistance after taking his own life rather than submit to Julius Caesar.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Italic, uncertain period
Proto-Italic
*katwos
“Possibly wise, shrewd, or sharp; the deeper origin is uncertain.”
2nd–1st Century BCE
Latin
Cato
“Roman cognomen traditionally associated with a person regarded as shrewd or intellectually astute.”
234–149 BCE
Latin
Marcus Porcius Cato
“Cato the Elder, Roman statesman, author, and advocate of traditional Roman values.”
95–46 BCE
Latin
Cato Uticensis
“Cato the Younger, Stoic politician and opponent of Julius Caesar.”
16th Century
English
Cato
“A classical personal name used in English historical and literary writing.”
Modern English
English
Cato
“A proper name used for people, institutions, and fictional characters.”
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