Vicente

The name Vicente is of Latin origin and carries the meaning of 'conquering' or 'victorious'.

Origin

Vicente is derived from the Roman cognomen Vincentius. This, in turn, originates from the Latin word 'vincens', which is the present participle of the verb 'vincere', meaning 'to conquer' or 'to win'. The name's adoption and spread were significantly influenced by its association with several prominent early Christian saints.

Meaning

Given its etymological root in the Latin 'vincere', the name Vicente translates to 'conquering', 'victorious', or 'he who conquers'. It signifies triumph and the attribute of being a winner.

Variations and Spread

Vicente is the common form in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking regions. Variations across different languages include Vincent (English, French), Vincenzo (Italian), Vinzenz (German), Wincenty (Polish), and Vikenti (Russian). The name has maintained popularity, particularly in countries with a strong Roman Catholic tradition, owing to the veneration of saints bearing this name.

Notable Bearers

Several notable individuals have been named Vicente. Historically significant figures include Saint Vincent of Saragossa, a deacon and martyr of the 3rd and 4th centuries, and Saint Vincent Ferrer, a Valencian Dominican friar and influential preacher of the 14th and 15th centuries. More contemporary examples include Vicente Fox, former President of Mexico; Vicente Aleixandre, a Spanish poet and Nobel laureate; and Vicente Fernández, a renowned Mexican singer.