Titus \t(i)-tus\ as a boy's name is pronounced TYE-tus. It is of Latin origin. Possibly "defender". Biblical: a Greek Christian missionary to whom Paul wrote the canonical letter Titus. Also the name of an early Roman emperor (first century AD). Before assuming the imperial throne, he led the forces that put down a Jewish revolt and destroyed the temple in Jerusalem. He had a Jewish lover, Berenice, who was a princess of the royal house of Herod. Their story was brought to the stage by 17th-century French playwrights Racine and Corneille. Use of this name is mostly 18th and 19th centuries.