August
August is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Majestic, venerable, or magnificent.
Origin and history
August is derived from the Latin title Augustus, meaning majestic, venerable, or noble. Originally used as an honorific for Roman emperors, it later became established as a given name across Europe. In the United States, it has experienced a significant surge in popularity in recent years.
Popularity in the United States
68,182 babies in the United States have been named August since 1880. It ranks #414 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #109.
States where it is most popular
- CA (8.7 %)
- NY (8.2 %)
- TX (7.2 %)
- IL (6.6 %)
- PA (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,012 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,703 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,245 |
| 1910-1920 | 4,869 |
| 1920-1930 | 5,277 |
| 1930-1940 | 3,208 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,434 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,841 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,234 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,044 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,153 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,153 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,859 |
| 2010-2019 | 15,827 |
| 2020-2029 | 20,323 |
Famous people named August
- August Wilson: Playwright, Author
- August Strindberg: Playwright, Novelist
- August Busch III: Executive, Businessman
Nicknames
Gus, Auggie, Augie
Fun facts
- The name stems from Augustus, the title bestowed upon Octavian, the first emperor of the Roman Empire.
- The month of August was named in honor of Emperor Augustus, replacing the previous Roman month name Sextilis.
- After declining mid-20th century popularity, August has seen a strong resurgence in the United States since the 2010s.