'anthony' originates from Latin, specifically the name 'Antonius', which is of uncertain (likely Etruscan) origin.

'anthony' changed from the Latin name 'Antonius' (also appearing in Medieval Latin and Old French) into Middle English forms such as 'Anthony' (also spelled 'Antony') and eventually became the modern English given name 'anthony'.

Initially it was a Roman family name 'Antonius' of uncertain meaning; over time it evolved into a common male given name without a specific lexical meaning.