Quintin is an alternate spelling of Quentin — from the Latin Quintinus, derived from quintus meaning "fifth" — that peaked in 1997 with 15,472 SSA records and currently sits at rank 1555. It is the spelling variant of Quentin that preserves the Latin numerical origin more visibly (Quentin disguises it; Quintin with an I does not) while remaining phonetically identical.
The Latin Fifth-Child Tradition
The Roman practice of naming children numerically — Primus (first), Secundus (second), Tertius (third), Quartus (fourth), Quintus (fifth) — produced a naming tradition that has endured in Western culture far longer than the literal practice. Quintus became Quentin in French, Quinto in Spanish, Quintin and Quinn in various English forms. Saint Quentin of Amiens (died c. 287 CE) , a Roman martyr in France , gave the name a Christian dimension that spread it across medieval Europe. Latin numerical names like Quintus, Sextus, and Septimus have a peculiar vitality in contemporary naming.
Quentin Tarantino and the Name's Modern Energy
Director Quentin Tarantino , whose films include Pulp Fiction (1994), Kill Bill (2003–2004), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) , is the name's dominant contemporary cultural reference. Tarantino's work has been consistently influential since the 1990s, and his name has become synonymous with a specific kind of bold, cinematic ambition. The Quentin spelling dominates; Quintin with an I is the more historically precise variant but less immediately recognizable. Quintin versus Quentin are phonetically identical but carry different visual identities.
The Counter-Reading: The Fifth-Child Implication
Families considering Quintin should decide how much they care about the name's literal meaning. "Fifth" is a perfectly good meaning in a historical context, but naming a first or second child "fifth" can invite bemused questions about birth order. Most people will never know the etymology, but for parents who care about meaning, it's worth acknowledging. Seven-letter Latin names with strong contemporary bearers ; Quentin, Declan, Cassius , are all seeing modest revivals.