drusilla as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of drusilla

What is the meaning of the name drusilla ?

The baby name drusilla is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /druːˈsɪlə/ (DROO-SIL-ə).

drusilla is Latin in Origin.

Drusilla is the Latin feminine formed with the diminutive -illa from the Roman cognomen Drusus, so it roughly means “little Drusus” or “dear Drusus.” The deeper root is debated: some scholars point to a Celtic/Gaulish element related to oak/strength, while others note a Greek parallel in Drosilla from drosos “dew.” Accordingly, interpretations range from “strong, steadfast” to “dew-like.”

The name was borne by prominent women of the Julio-Claudian era (notably Julia Drusilla, sister of Caligula) and by the Judean princess Drusilla mentioned in Acts 24:24, aiding its transmission into Christian Europe. It reappeared in early modern England and saw modest Victorian use in Britain and the United States; contemporary use is rare but recognizable through literature and television. Variants and related forms include Drusila (Spanish/Portuguese), Drucilla (English variant), Italian/English Drusilla, and Greek Δρουσίλλα (Drousílla). Nicknames include Dru, Cilla, and Silla.