Monica is of disputed etymology — possibly Berber from her North African origin, or from the Latin monere ("to advise, counsel"). **Saint Monica (c. 332-387)** — **Berber Christian mother of Saint Augustine of Hippo whose decades of prayer and weeping are credited with her son's conversion to Christianity at age 32**. **Their conversation at Ostia just before her death — described in Book IX of Augustine's *Confessions* — is among the most famous mother-son scenes in Christian literature**. **A top-50 US baby name from 1975 to 1992**. **Monica Bellucci (born 1964)** — Italian actress and model. **Monica Seles (born 1973)** — Yugoslav-American tennis champion; nine Grand Slam titles.
Subject of Augustine's *Confessions* (Book IX) and Garry Wills's *Saint Augustine* (1999).
Monica reduces to five — the number of Augustine's mother.