How to say it
JU · li · us
ˈdʒuː.li.əs
Masculine
Julius
Youthful
What it means
The Roman family name Julius, usually glossed 'youthful,' though the Julii traced themselves to Jupiter.
Julius is the ancient Roman family name behind Julius Caesar, generally read as 'youthful,' though the Julii claimed descent from the god Jupiter. It is the parent of Julian, Julia, and Juliana, and has its own bearers from popes to basketball's Julius 'Dr. J' Erving. It reads classical and a little grand, with Jules as the short.
How to spell Julius
The standard spelling is Julius. Common variants include Julio, Giulio, Yuliy, but Julius is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #88 in 1883, currently #424 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Jules is the short.
- Pop culture
Julius Caesar; Julius 'Dr. J' Erving. Root of Julian, Julia, and Juliana.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Julius Caesar Roman general and statesman
- Julius Erving basketball Hall of Famer 'Dr. J'
Spelling variants
- Julio
- Giulio
- Yuliy
Names with the same feeling
See Julius from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Julius mean?
- The Roman family name Julius, usually glossed 'youthful,' though the Julii traced themselves to Jupiter.
- What does Julius mean in Latin?
- In Latin, Julius means "Youthful." Julius is the ancient Roman family name behind Julius Caesar, generally read as 'youthful,' though the Julii claimed descent from the god Jupiter. It is the parent of Julian, Julia, and Juliana, and has its own bearers from popes to basketball's Julius 'Dr. J' Erving. It reads classical and a little grand, with Jules as the short.
- How do you pronounce Julius?
- Julius is pronounced ˈdʒuː.li.əs. Say it as JU-li-us, with the stress on the "ju" syllable.
- How do you spell Julius?
- The standard spelling is Julius. Common spelling variants include Julio, Giulio, Yuliy.
- Is Julius a boy or girl name?
- Julius is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Julius?
- Julius ranked #424 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.