Proper name: ACANTHUS (Ἄκανθος), the Lacedaemonian, was victor in the δίαυλος and the δόλιχος in the Olympic games in 0l. 15, (b. c. 720,) and according to some accounts was the first who ran naked in these games. (Paus. v. 8. § 3; Dionys. vii. 72; African, apud Euseb. p. 143.) Other accounts ascribe this to Orsippus the Megarian. [Orsippus.] Thucydides says that the Lacedaemonians were the first who contended naked in gymnastic games, (i. 6.) (Wikisource | public domain)

Acanthus (noun F) : Ἄκανθος
* A town of Macedonia, now Erisso, Liv. 31, 45 fin.; Mel. 2, 2, 9; Plin. 4, 10, 17, § 38.

Male Personal name
Confirmed occurences in the Roman Empire:

• Sallustius Acanthus (Masc), ref: PIR S 0085 | PIR ID11755

s. TLL