Holding steady.
Popularity of Gustava since 1888
Babies named Gustava per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1923, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gustava's real moment was 1892.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 40 |
| 1900s | 51 |
| 1910s | 100 |
| 1920s | 128 |
| 1930s | 55 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Gustava is a feminine name that likely originates as a female counterpart to the Old Norse name Gustav. The earliest recorded use in the United States dates to 1888, and the name reached its peak year in 1892, a time when many European-derived names were being adopted by immigrant families. Since that peak, it has not ranked in national popularity data, and by 2025 it remained a rare choice, with fewer than five occurrences per year. The stable trajectory suggests it has become a historical curiosity rather than a revived favorite. Unlike some vintage names that have seen a resurgence, Gustava has not re-entered common use; its absence from the top 1000 is nearly complete. Though it has not been recorded in any U.S. state in recent decades, it may still appeal to parents seeking a distinctively Scandinavian heritage name.
Gustava is the feminine form of Gustav, derived from Old Norse elements possibly meaning 'staff of the Goths' (gautr 'Goth' + stafr 'staff') or 'God's staff' (guð 'god' + stafr). The name Gustav was borne by several Swedish kings, and Gustava emerged as a feminine counterpart primarily in the 19th century. It saw modest recorded use in the United States between the 1880s and early 1900s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gusta, Ava
Sibling names for Gustava
Names that share Gustava's style, for a brother or sister.
