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Gustava
Pronounced goo-STAH-vuh /ɡuˈstɑː.və/Medium
Meaning: Gustava is the feminine form of Gustav or Gustavus, a Swedish and wider Scandinavian royal name usually explained from Old Norse elements as staff of the Goths or meditation staff; it came to America chiefly with Scandinavian and German families.Low
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Gustava entered American records with Scandinavian and German settlement, touching a modest high around 1923. Outside those communities it stayed rare, a clearly Old-World name.
It was never common, given to only a couple dozen girls a year even at its peak, and it faded as immigrant families anglicized their names. The name keeps its heritage plainly, both in sound and in its royal Scandinavian roots.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Gustava mean?
It is the feminine of Gustav or Gustavus, a Scandinavian name usually read as staff of the Goths.
How do you pronounce Gustava?
It is said goo-STAH-vuh /ɡuˈstɑː.və/, three syllables with the stress in the middle.
Is Gustava a boy or girl name?
Gustava is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Gustava?
It has always been rare, given to only a couple dozen girls a year at its peak in the early twentieth century.