Why might Daniel Hunt have chosen the name CATO for the African?

Question

Please provide two points why this might have happened. This is part of "historical thinking" and I'm not sure how to proceed with it. I know this might show (1) the education level of Daniel Hunt and (2) seeing as how CATO is Roman for "wisdow" then it shows how valuable the slave was for Hunt. But what else could there be behind the name?

Notice:

The Providence Gazette, 08-07-1779.

RAN away from the Subscriber, a Negroe Man, named CATO, about 50 Years of

Age, of a middling Stature, speaks broken English, has his Country Marks in his

Face; had on when he went away an outside Cloth coloured woollen Jacket, a Linen

striped under Jacket, Linen Shirt and Stockings, and a Pair of good Shoes. Whoever

shall take up said Negroe, and return him to his Master, in Rehoboth, shall have

Twenty Dollars Reward, and all reasonable Charges, paid by me. DANIEL HUNT.

N.B. All Masters of Vessels and others are cautioned against harbouring or

concealing said Fellow, as they would avoid the Penalty of the LAW.

Answer 1

It was fashionable in the antebellum era to give slaves Roman names. Catus means clever, but Cato was a cognomen of a specific Roman family whose last famous member died in Africa. He was Cato the Younger, also known as Cato Uticensis because he committed suicide near Utica to avoid living under the tyranny of Caesar, who would have pardoned him.