Ptolemy
/ˈtɒl.ə.mi/noun
A historical name borne by several Macedonian-Greek rulers of Egypt, especially the Ptolemaic dynasty.
Did you know?Ptolemy comes from Greek Ptolemaios, a name linked to polemos, meaning “war,” so the famous Egyptian dynasty’s name is basically stamped with conflict.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Πτολεμαῖος (Ptolemaios)
“A Greek personal name, especially borne by Macedonian rulers”
Classical Greek
Greek
πόλεμος (pólemos)
“War, battle”
Hellenistic Period
Greek
Πτολεμαῖος
“Dynastic name of the ruling house of Egypt founded after Alexander the Great”
Latin
Latin
Ptolemaeus
“Latinized form of the Greek name”
Modern English
English
Ptolemy
“A historical name associated with the rulers and scholars of the Hellenistic world”