Antoni — Name Day, Meaning & Origin

Male Polish given name · 5404 births in 2024 (rank 2)

A classic Polish male name with Roman roots, again highly fashionable today.

Pronunciation

/an.ˈtɔ.ɲi/ · ahn-TAW-nyee

Meaning

Antoni is the Polish form of the Roman family name Antonius, whose original meaning remains uncertain. Popular tradition linked it to a Greek word for flower, but that is a later association rather than a confirmed etymology. Today the name is felt to be dignified, classic and warm at once.

Origin & history

The name comes from ancient Rome, where Antonius was the name of a well-known plebeian clan. It entered Christian Europe through the cult of various saints, above all Saint Anthony of Padua, invoked as the patron of lost things. In Poland Antoni was popular for centuries and has recently returned to the very top of names given to boys.

Etymology

It derives from the Latin nomen gentile Antonius, borne by the Antonia clan. Its deeper root is not securely established, and the common link to Greek ánthos ("flower") is a folk etymology.

Declension (Polish cases)

Nominative	Antoni
Genitive	Antoniego
Dative	Antoniemu
Accusative	Antoniego
Instrumental	Antonim
Locative	Antonim
Vocative	Antoni

Name day (imieniny)

In Poland, Antoni celebrates its name day on 17 January, 13 June.

Diminutives

Antek, Antoś, Antosiek, Toni, Tolek, Antuś.

Forms in other languages

Equivalents in other languages include Anthony (English), Antonio (Italian, Spanish), Antoine (French), Anton (German, Russian) and Antonín (Czech).

Notable people named Antoni

Antoni Gaudí — Catalan architect, creator of the Sagrada Família basilica in Barcelona.

Antoni Słonimski — Polish poet, satirist and critic, co-founder of the Skamander group.

Antoni Patek — Polish entrepreneur, co-founder of the Swiss watchmaking firm Patek Philippe.

Popularity

For several years Antoni has remained among the most frequently given boys' names in Poland.