Dominic

Belonging to the Lord; of the Lord.

Dominic is a masculine name of Latin origin meaning “belonging to the Lord”, a meaning with a Christian devotional sense. Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers, or Dominican order, in the thirteenth century, is a central historical association. The Latin background also connects Dominic with German Dominik, French Dominique and Spanish Domingo: related forms of the same name family, rather than separate meanings. Dominic and Dom offer quite different impressions. The full name has room to unfold, with a rounded opening and a firm final k sound; Dom feels compact and direct. If you enjoy a traditional full name but also want an established everyday short form, that contrast is part of Dominic’s appeal. In English, Dominic has three syllables with the stress at the beginning: DOM-uh-nik. The written c ends in a k sound. Dominick is an alternative spelling.

Etymology: Dominic comes from the Latin name Dominicus, built on dominicus, “of a lord”, from dominus, “lord” or “master”. In the Christian name tradition, the Lord refers to God.