Nomina sunt odiosa
“Names are odious.”
Latin proverb, after Cicero
What does “Nomina sunt odiosa” mean?
Nomina sunt odiosa translates as “Names are odious.”
It is wiser not to mention names when discussing a delicate matter. People use it when they want to make a point without blaming anyone personally.
“Nomina sunt odiosa” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Nomina | names | nominative plural neuter of nomen, “name”; the subject of the sentence |
| sunt | are | third person plural present indicative of sum, “I am” |
| odiosa | odious, hateful | nominative plural neuter of the adjective odiosus, “hateful, invidious”; agrees with nomina |
How to pronounce “Nomina sunt odiosa”
The two differ mainly in the i of nomina (short i in classical, ee in church) and in the s of odiosa (s in classical, z in church). Stress falls on the first syllable of nomina and the third of odiosa.
The story behind it
Word for word the proverb says “names are odious”, meaning that naming names stirs up resentment. The idea goes back to Cicero, who in his speech Pro Roscio Amerino remarks that to name certain well-known men would be odious.
The exact three-word wording is a later proverb rather than a direct quotation of Cicero, which is why it is labelled a Latin proverb, after Cicero. Over time it became a stock phrase for tactful discretion.
Today people use it, in Latin or in English, to make a point about a problem or a bad habit without blaming anyone personally. It is common in speeches, meetings, writing and polite gossip.
How to use “Nomina sunt odiosa”
Useful as a tactful aside in a speech, meeting or essay where the point matters more than the culprit. It also works as a witty line when you hint at a person without naming them.
- Latin
- Nomina sunt odiosa
- English
- Names are odious.
- Source
- Latin proverb, after Cicero
- Era
- Classical
- Theme
- Discretion
Common mistakes
- It does not mean “names are hateful” in a general sense. It means that naming specific people in a delicate matter causes offence.
- Odiosa is neuter plural to agree with nomina. Changing the noun means changing the ending, so do not swap in a masculine odiosi.
- Do not present it as an exact quotation from Cicero. It is a proverb that echoes his remark.
- It is sometimes mistaken for a saying about the meaning or power of names, which is a different thought.
Questions about “Nomina sunt odiosa”
What does “Nomina sunt odiosa” mean literally?
“Names are odious”, that is, naming particular people is unpleasant or invites resentment. The point is to avoid personal accusation.
Who said “Nomina sunt odiosa”?
It is a Latin proverb that echoes Cicero’s remark in Pro Roscio Amerino about naming well-known men. The short three-word form is not a verbatim line from Cicero.
How do you pronounce “Nomina sunt odiosa”?
In classical Latin: NOH-mih-nah soont oh-dee-OH-sah. In church Latin: NOH-mee-nah soont oh-dee-OH-zah.
When should I use “Nomina sunt odiosa”?
Use it when you want to make a point about a problem without singling out individuals, for example in a speech, a meeting or an essay.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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