Nero
A rare surname that may simply preserve the Roman name Nero, traditionally linked to strength or vigor in Latin.
The #7,787 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 72,492 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The surname is most likely drawn from the Latin name Nero, famous from ancient Rome. In older etymological writing, Nero was glossed as meaning “strong” or “vigorous,” though the exact ancient sense of the Roman cognomen is not fully certain. As a surname, it appears to have been used as a hereditary family name or as a nickname-like adoption of a classical personal name.
History
The name is uncommon in English-speaking records, but it appears in historical surname lists and was notable enough to be remarked on as an unusual American surname. Because Nero is also the name of the Roman emperor, some later uses may have been influenced by classical learning or by the prestige of Roman names. In modern usage it is also found as a given name and as a surname in several countries.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
One 19th-century surname writer singled out Nero as an example of a highly unusual name found among Americans.
From the historical record
“swarthy. NERO. (Lat.) Strong. NICHOLAS. (Greek.) Victorious, from v^ao, to conquer. NIGEL. From the Latin NigeUus, black, swarthy. NOAH. (Heb.) A ceasing or rest. NOEL. (Fr.) The same as the Latin natdlis, given first in honor of the feast of Christ's birth to such as were born on Christmas day. NORMAN. From…”
— An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names