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      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Ptolemy

      Origin

      Greek

      Meaning

      Warlike

      Variations

      Clapton
      The name Ptolemy has its origins in ancient Greece, derived from the Greek word ptolemios which means warlike. This name was commonly used during the time of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt, a Hellenistic period that spanned from 305 BC to 30 BC. Ptolemy was a common name in this dynasty, as several rulers bore this name, most notably Ptolemy I Soter, the founder of the dynasty, and Ptolemy XII Auletes, the father of the famous Cleopatra. The association with the term warlike may have reflected the ambitions and military prowess of these rulers during their rule.

      In modern-day usage, the name Ptolemy is not as prevalent as it was in ancient times, but it still holds a place in history and academic circles. Ptolemy was also the name of the celebrated Greco-Roman mathematician, astronomer, and geographer, who is known for his influential work The Almagest, a comprehensive treatise on astronomy. His work, which integrated Greek astronomical knowledge with observations from other cultures, remained a significant source in the field for more than a millennium. The name Ptolemy, therefore, carries a connotation of intellectual prowess and scientific achievements, as it is associated with one of the great thinkers of antiquity.

      Based on our records...

      Egypt

      Egypt

      This is the most common surname associated with Ptolemy.
      Cleopatra

      Cleopatra

      This is the most common name of those married to a Ptolemy.
      Cleopatra

      Cleopatra

      This is the most common name for a child of a Ptolemy.
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      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      2000 is when there were the most people born with the first name Ptolemy.

      Explore the origins of another name.