Gus

Meaning & origin

Gus is a traditional shortened form of Augustus or Augustine, meaning 'great' or 'venerable.' It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1880, when it was already in modest use. Its peak came in 1888, when it ranked highest in popularity, particularly in states like Minnesota, Iowa, and Oregon. After declining for much of the 20th century, the name has been rising again since 1995, reflecting a broader revival of old-fashioned, no-frills names. In 2025, Gus ranked 1,328th, with approximately 1 in 11,780 boys receiving the name. Its revival places it among the classic short-form names that are regaining favor in contemporary baby-naming.

Gus originated as a diminutive of the Latin name Augustus, meaning 'great' or 'venerable'. It became common in the English-speaking world as a standalone given name in the 19th century, often used informally alongside longer forms like Gustave or August. Its peak popularity occurred in the late 1880s, particularly in the Midwestern United States, where it was a familiar fixture on farms and in small towns.