Erasmus
eh-RAZ-mus
A learned name meaning “beloved” or “desirable,” long associated with the scholar Erasmus and the Greek idea of love.
Meaning
The name is traditionally traced to Greek roots meaning “to love” or “desirable, pleasant.” The excerpts connect it with the Greek verb related to loving and note the Latin form Erasmus as the name that spread into later European languages. It became widely known through the Renaissance humanist Erasmus, and later also through the saint whose name was linked with St. Elmo.
Origin
GreekLatinmasculine
Fun fact
In the excerpts, Erasmus is described as becoming a popular baptismal name in post-Reformation England, especially among the learned.