A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Augustus since 1880
Babies named Augustus per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2024, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Augustus's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 587 |
| 1890s | 461 |
| 1900s | 380 |
| 1910s | 1,284 |
| 1920s | 1,543 |
| 1930s | 1,068 |
| 1940s | 967 |
| 1950s | 855 |
| 1960s | 601 |
| 1970s | 509 |
| 1980s | 531 |
| 1990s | 1,419 |
| 2000s | 2,279 |
| 2010s | 5,102 |
| 2020s | 4,094 |
Meaning & origin
The name Augustus has been in steady use since at least 1880, when it ranked 407th among U.S. baby boys. Its popularity has risen again since 1985, making it a notable revival choice. In 2025, about 1 in 2,181 boys received the name, reflecting its appeal to parents seeking a classical name with gravitas. The name's peak popularity occurred in its earliest recorded year of 1880, during the 1880s revival. It is most favored in states such as Alaska, the District of Columbia, and Montana, suggesting a niche but dedicated following. Its Latin origin as an imperial title gives it a sense of historical weight, and the nickname Gus provides a friendly, approachable option.
Augustus is a Latin word meaning 'venerable' or 'majestic', derived from 'augere' (to increase). It was originally a title given to the first Roman emperor, Octavian, in 27 BCE, and later became a hereditary imperial title. The name was revived in the 18th and 19th centuries in English-speaking countries, partly due to its association with Roman grandeur.
Where Augustus is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Auggie, Gus, Augie
Sibling names for Augustus
Names that share Augustus's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Julia, Claudia, Livia, Cora, Beatrice, Dorothea, Eugenia, Geneva, Agatha, Augusta, Aurelia, Clementina, Drucilla, Faustina, Felicitas, Hermina, Hortense, Lavinia, Letitia, Octavia, Philippa, Philomena, Teressa, Theodora, Albina, Augustina, Drusilla, Eulalia, Fredricka, Honora, Hortensia, Leanora, Marguerita, Seraphina, Sophronia, Anicia, Audelia, Brittania, Constantina, Corinthia, Dorethea, Edmonia, Ellanora, Euphemia, Fidelia, Florentine, Genetta, Genevive, Gloriana, Latitia, Magdeline, Patria, Precilla, Priscillia, Robena, Sidonia, Teretha, Thomasena, Agripina, Albertia, Alexandrina, Almadelia, Anthonia, Apolonia, Devota, Ernesteen, Gustavia, Lugenia, Marciana, Maxima, Parthenia, Perpetua, Petronella, Sebastiana, Sybella, Theodosia, Vitalia, Wilhemenia, Willoughby, Evangaline, Amicia, Amoreena, Austina, Carnelia, Cicilia, Etrulia, Georgenia, Gustie, Hermenia, Lucilia, Lucindia, Paulena, Rotunda, Verginia, Victorina
Brothers: Julius, Marcus, Titus, Felix, Leo, Maximus, Augustine, Basil, Caesar, Constantine, Cornelius, Ferdinand, Junius, Justus, Marcellus, Maximillian, Valentine, Adolphus, Ceasar, Cornelious, Ignatius, Josephus, Octavius, Roderic, Silvester, Vergil, Albertus, Alphonsus, Ceaser, Claudius, Corinthian, Hadrian, Juluis, Maxximus, Ovid, Romulus, Sylvanus, Valerian, Austine, Cicero, Claudis, Corneilus, Cyprian, Denarius, Horatio, Napolean, Trajan, Tyberius, Boniface, Theodus, Aloysuis, Aurelian, Cornellius, Fidelis, Janus, Leverett, Lovelace, Phinneas, Severus, Theodoro
Names like Augustus
Names whose popularity has moved with Augustus's over the last 50 years.
