Home › Baby Names Directory › August

August

♂ Boy

Pronounced AW-gust /ˈɔː.ɡəst/High

Meaning: Great; majestic; venerable — from Latin augustus (revered, majestic)High

In 30 seconds: A powerful Latin name meaning 'great and majestic,' August was the title and eventually the name of Rome's first emperor. Its combination of grandeur and soft sounds has made it a modern top-100 favorite.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighLatin
MeaningGreat; majestic; venerable — from Latin augustus (revered, majestic)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 43,127

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201618802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

August derives from the Latin augustus, meaning 'great, venerable, majestic.' The title was bestowed on Gaius Octavius after he became Rome's first emperor, and the month of August was named in his honor.

August has been used as a given name in German, Scandinavian, and other European cultures for centuries. In the United States it has been rising strongly since the 2000s, now among the top 100 boys' names.

Did you know? The month of August was renamed in 8 BC in honor of Emperor Augustus (previously it was called Sextilis, the sixth month). The emperor reportedly preferred August because it was his luckiest month.

Variations

AugustusAugusteAugustoAugustine

Nicknames

GusAugie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Augustus Caesar (63 BC–14 AD)
    First Roman Emperor, whose name became both a title and a month.
  • ★August Wilson (1945–2005)
    American playwright and Pulitzer Prize winner, known for his Pittsburgh Cycle of ten plays.

If you like August…

Felix— Latin classic with the same crisp imperial Roman character
Roman— Latin imperial name with the same ancient-to-modern arc

Frequently Asked

What does the name August mean?

August comes from the Latin augustus, meaning 'great,' 'venerable,' or 'majestic.' It was the title and name of Rome's first emperor.

How do you pronounce August?

It is said AW-gust /ˈɔː.ɡəst/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is August a boy or girl name?

August is primarily a boy's name, though it is occasionally used for girls.

How popular is August?

August has been climbing the U.S. charts and is now among the top 100 boys' names.