Ignatius is the Latin name Egnatius, of uncertain Etruscan origin, which was later linked to ignis and so explained as "fiery" or "fire". Two major saints bear it, Ignatius of Antioch and Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, which makes it a strong Catholic choice. Ignatius has risen slowly in the United States, from number 8538 in 2000 to number 1664 in 2025, its best rank so far, with 100 boys.