Character Name
Dante
Dante Dante is one of the most cosmically charged names in Western literature — to carry it is to carry the journey through the entire moral universe, from the darkest pit of Hell to the light of the Beatific Vision. The Latin root durare (to endure) proves prophetic for the historical Dante, who was exiled from Florence and spent the last twenty years of his life as a wanderer, enduring loss while creating the greatest work of his civilization. A character named Dante is expected to be tested to the depths and to return transformed.
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Famous characters named Dante
Dante
The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri
The poet-pilgrim who journeys through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise guided first by Virgil and then by Beatrice, in the supreme medieval vision of the afterlife and of poetic vocation.
Dante
Dante and Beatrice — Various interpretations
The literary persona of the poet who transformed his unrequited love for Beatrice Portinari into one of the most sustained acts of poetic devotion in Western literature.
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More Latin names
Santo
“From the Latin sanctus meaning "holy" or "consecrated", the past participle of sancire meaning "to make sacred". The word formed the basis of the Christian concept of sainthood and was widely adopted as a given name in Catholic Southern Europe, especially in Italy and Spain, as a direct expression of religious devotion.”
Lisette
“A French diminutive of Élise or Élisabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheba meaning "my God is an oath" or "my God is abundance". The diminutive suffix -ette gives the name an intimate, affectionate quality typical of the French pet-name tradition. Lisette was a common name in eighteenth-century French literature and theater as a stock name for clever maidservants.”
Dolores
“From the Spanish Maria de los Dolores meaning "Mary of Sorrows", referring to the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary in Catholic tradition. The Latin dolor means "pain, grief, sorrow". The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (La Dolorosa) is celebrated on September 15, and the name has been particularly common in Spain and Latin America as an expression of Marian devotion.”
Marty
“A diminutive of Martin, from the Latin Martinus derived from Martius meaning "of Mars" or "martial" — from Mars, the Roman god of war. Saint Martin of Tours (316–397), the French bishop famous for cutting his cloak in half to share with a beggar, made this one of the most beloved saints' names in medieval Western Christianity. The diminutive Marty became a common American given name.”
Fausto
“From the Latin Faustus meaning "auspicious, lucky, bringing good fortune", derived from favere meaning "to be favorable". Faustus was a common Latin cognomen and given name in ancient Rome. The name became inseparable from the German legend of Doctor Faustus after Marlowe's and Goethe's treatments, transforming "the fortunate one" into the archetype of fatal ambition.”
Markus
“Derived from the Latin Marcus, which is thought to stem either from the Etruscan name Marce or from Mars, the Roman god of war. It was one of the most common praenomina in ancient Rome and spread widely through Europe via Christianity and the Roman Empire. Markus is the Scandinavian and German spelling, popular in Sweden, Norway, and German-speaking countries.”
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