Chrestus
/ˈkrɛstəs/noun
A Latinized form of the Greek name or epithet Chrestos, meaning good, useful, or worthy.
Did you know?In the Roman world, Chrestus was a common name among enslaved people and freedmen, while Roman writers sometimes confused it with Christus, the title of Jesus.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Greek
Greek
χρηστός (chrēstós)
“Good, useful, serviceable, or worthy”
Hellenistic Greek
Greek
Χρηστός (Chrēstós)
“A personal name or epithet meaning “the Good” or “the Worthy””
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
Chrestus
“A Latinized Greek personal name, used especially among enslaved people and freedmen”
1st–2nd Century CE
Latin
Chrestiani / Chrestus
“Forms used in Roman contexts; “Chrestian” was sometimes used for Christian because the names sounded similar”
Modern English
English
Chrestus
“A historical proper name and Latinized form of the Greek Chrestos”
Explore more surprising origins