Octavian

[ok-tey-vee-uh n] /ɒkˈteɪ vi ən/
noun
1.

John XII

noun
1.
(Octavian) died a.d. 964, Italian ecclesiastic: pope 955–964.
British Dictionary definitions for Octavian

Octavian

/ɒkˈteɪvɪən/
noun
1.
the name of Augustus before he became emperor (27 bc) See Augustus
Word Origin and History for Octavian

masc. proper name, from Latin, from Octavius, from octavus "eighth," from octo (see eight).

But although we find so marked differences in the use of the numerals as names, it is impossible to believe that this use did not arise in the same way for all; that is, that they were at first used to distinguish children by the order of birth. But when we find them as praenomina in historical times it is evident that they no longer referred to order of birth. [George Davis Chase, "The Origin of Roman Praenomina," "Harvard Studies in Classical Philology," 1897]

Encyclopedia Article for Octavian

John XII

original name Ottaviano, English Octavian pope from 955 to 964.

Learn more about John XII with a free trial on Britannica.com