Ignatius

Meaning: Uncertain; traditionally fiery
Origin: Latin — From the Roman family name Egnatius

Nicknames: Iggy

Boy's name · #1664 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Popularity over time

Ignatius is an heirloom: its strongest era came around 1906, when it ranked #555. It has thinned since but never left the records — about 4,100 boys since 1885, ranked #1664 today.

Across the states

See where Ignatius is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 9 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Ignatius ranks in other countries and regions.

#2,095 in Canada (2025) · #2,952 in England & Wales (2025) · #727 in Scotland (2024) · #837 in Poland (2023) · #2,193 in Sweden (2023) · #2,627 in Austria (2017) · #6,443 in Ecuador (2009) · #321 in Ireland (1974).

Famous Ignatiuses

Ignatius of Loyola — Basque Spaniard Catholic priest, theologian and saint (1491–1556)
Ignatius of Antioch — Patriarch of Antioch from 68 to 107 (c. 35–c. 108)
Ignatius Kutu Acheampong — Soldier and former military head of state of Ghana (1931–1979)
Ignatius Aphrem II — 123rd Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch (2014–Present) (born 1965)
Ignatius Maloyan — Armenian Catholic archbishop and martyr (1869–1915)

In stories & tradition

Ignatius J. Reilly — A Confederacy of Dunces (book)
Ignatius Tuft^ia — Wizarding World Digital
Ignatius Gallaher — Ulysses (book)

What Ignatiuses become

Among 192 notable people named Ignatius:

Military figures appear 3.31× more often than among typical names — e.g. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Soldier and former military head of state of Ghana (1931–1979).

Similar names: Sylvan · Ignacio · Domenico · Marius · Marcellus · Augustin

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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