Antonijs / Antonius / Anthony / Antoine / Antonio / Antoni / Anton

Antonijs is the Latvian form of the Roman family name Antonius. The Antonius gens was a prominent plebeian family in ancient Rome. Its most famous member was Mark Antony, the Roman politician and general. The name's etymology is uncertain, but it is widely believed to derive from the ancient Greek 'anteo' meaning 'to be in front' or 'to be worthy of praise,' or from 'anthos' meaning 'flower.' However, the most accepted etymology links it to the Etruscan word 'antunai' which has an unknown meaning, or to the Latin 'antoni' which means 'priceless' or 'inestimable.'

The name spread throughout Europe with the Roman Empire and later through the veneration of various saints named Anthony, most notably Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Anthony the Great. In Latvia, Antonijs became a traditional given name, reflecting the country's historical ties and cultural influences from Western Europe, particularly through Christianity. It has maintained a steady presence in Latvian naming traditions.