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Augusta

♀ Girl

Pronounced aw-GUS-tah /ɔːˈɡʌstə/High

Meaning: Great, venerable, majestic; feminine form of Augustus, the title of Roman emperorsHigh

In 30 seconds: A stately Latin name meaning 'great and venerable,' Augusta was the title of Roman empresses. Poised yet warm, it blends imperial grandeur with a vintage elegance that feels freshly chic today.
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Origin HighLatin
MeaningGreat, venerable, majestic; feminine form of Augustus, the title of Roman emperors
U.S. rank (2024)#3076 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births52 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1915
Total births (all-time)≈ 16,540

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191518802024

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

History & Origin

Augusta is the feminine form of Augustus, derived from the Latin augere meaning 'to increase' and the past participle augustus meaning 'great,' 'venerable,' or 'consecrated.' The title Augusta was first bestowed on Livia Drusilla, wife of Emperor Augustus, after his death in 14 CE. It became the standard honorific for Roman empresses and imperial women throughout the ancient world.

Augusta enjoyed great popularity among European royalty and aristocracy through the 18th and 19th centuries, carried by queens, princesses, and noblewomen across Britain, Germany, and Scandinavia. In contemporary naming, Augusta is experiencing a renaissance as part of the broader revival of grand Victorian names.

Did you know? Augusta was the official title granted to Roman empresses and female members of the imperial family — making it one of history's most powerful women's names.
Overall data confidence 97%
Behind the Name — Augusta — Latin etymology and Roman imperial historyOxford Dictionary of First Names — historical usage and bearersU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data context

Variations

AugusteAugustinaGusta

Nicknames

GusAggieGustaAuggie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (1811–1890)
    German princess who became Queen of Prussia and the first German Empress as the wife of Wilhelm I.
  • ★Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace (1815–1852)
    English mathematician known as Ada Lovelace and regarded as the first computer programmer for her work on Babbage's Analytical Engine.

If you like Augusta…

Augustine— masculine counterpart sharing the same Latin augustus root
Aurelia— similarly grand Latin name with a regal, vintage appeal
Cordelia— stately vintage name with the same literary, aristocratic feel
Beatrice— classic European name with equal historical weight and modern revival

Frequently Asked

What does the name Augusta mean?

Augusta means 'great,' 'venerable,' or 'majestic.' It is the feminine form of Augustus, the title of Roman emperors.

How do you pronounce Augusta?

Augusta is pronounced aw-GUS-tah /ɔːˈɡʌstə/ — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Augusta a boy or girl name?

Augusta is a girls' name; the equivalent boys' name is Augustus or August.

How popular is Augusta?

Augusta was very popular in the 19th century and is currently experiencing a revival among parents drawn to vintage, regal names.