A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Gustave since 1880
Babies named Gustave per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1915, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gustave's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 472 |
| 1890s | 424 |
| 1900s | 308 |
| 1910s | 1,091 |
| 1920s | 1,058 |
| 1930s | 524 |
| 1940s | 344 |
| 1950s | 310 |
| 1960s | 200 |
| 1970s | 152 |
| 1980s | 140 |
| 1990s | 120 |
| 2000s | 121 |
| 2010s | 110 |
| 2020s | 56 |
Meaning & origin
Gustave is a French form of the Old Norse name Gustav. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1880 and saw its peak popularity in 1885, near the end of the 19th century. After a long period of decline, the name has been rising modestly since 2022, though it remains extremely uncommon with a rank of 7679 in 2025. Its 1-in-170,808 occurrence rate places it firmly in the category of rarely used classic names. The name's aristocratic associations with Swedish royalty and its strong, dignified sound may appeal to parents looking for an alternative to more common vintage choices.
Gustave is the French form of Gustav, derived from Old Norse elements 'gautr' (Goth, a member of the ancient Germanic tribe) and 'stafr' (staff). The name has been borne by Swedish royalty since the 16th century, including several kings of Sweden. It was adopted in France in the 19th century and became moderately popular there.
Where Gustave 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.
“Gustave” around the world
Where Gustave lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
425
babies in 2024
Quebec
27
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gus, Gusty
Sibling names for Gustave
Names that share Gustave's style, for a brother or sister.
