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Augustine

♂ Boy

Pronounced AW-gus-teen /ˈɔː.ɡəs.tiːn/High

Meaning: From Latin Augustinus, a diminutive of Augustus, derived from augere meaning 'to increase' or 'to augment,' giving meanings of 'great,' 'venerable,' and 'majestic'; famously borne by the theologian Saint Augustine of HippoHigh

In 30 seconds: Augustine is a grand Latin name meaning 'great and venerable,' bearing the theological weight of Saint Augustine of Hippo. Three stately syllables with the friendly nickname Gus.
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Origin HighLatin
MeaningFrom Latin Augustinus, a diminutive of Augustus, derived from augere meaning 'to increase' or 'to augment,' giving meanings of 'great,' 'venerable,' and 'majestic'; famously borne by the theologian Saint Augustine of Hippo
U.S. rank (2025)#545 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births549 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 16,154

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202518802025

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

History & Origin

Augustine is a Latin diminutive of Augustus, from augere ('to increase, augment'), a word the Romans associated with the divine, the majestic, and the sacred. The Emperor Augustus took the title from this root. The name was given enduring theological prestige by Saint Augustine of Hippo (354–430 CE), whose intellectual legacy defined Western Christian thought, and by Saint Augustine of Canterbury (d. 604 CE), who brought Christianity to the English.

Augustine remained in use throughout the Christian world's history, concentrated in Catholic communities. In the United States it has been steadily rising in the 21st century as parents seek distinguished, multi-syllable classical names with nickname options. Gus has emerged as a beloved short form, driving interest in full names like Augustine, Augustus, and Gustavo.

Did you know? Saint Augustine of Hippo (354–430 CE) wrote Confessions, considered the first autobiography in Western literature, and The City of God — two works that shaped Western Christianity, philosophy, and the concept of the self for 1,600 years.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Augustine — etymology and theological historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AugustusAgustinAustin

Nicknames

GusAuggieAugie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Saint Augustine of Hippo (354–430)
    Theologian, philosopher, and author of Confessions and The City of God, one of the most influential figures in Western Christianity.

If you like Augustine…

Augustus— the direct parent name with the same majestic Latin root and imperial resonance
Maximilian— shares the multi-syllable Latin grandeur and the same serious classical pedigree
Cornelius— another multi-syllable Roman name with the same stately vintage-revival appeal
Sebastian— three-syllable Latin saint name with the same distinguished, timeless character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Augustine mean?

Augustine comes from Latin Augustinus, a diminutive of Augustus from augere (to increase), meaning 'great' or 'venerable.' It is the name of the influential theologian Saint Augustine of Hippo.

How do you pronounce Augustine?

It is said AW-gus-teen — three syllables, stress on the third.

Is Augustine a boy or girl name?

Augustine is used primarily as a boys' name. The feminine form is Augustina.

How popular is Augustine?

Augustine is rising in the U.S. as part of the revival of distinguished multi-syllable classical names, driven largely by the popularity of its nickname Gus.