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Justus

♂ Boy

Pronounced JUHS-tuhs /ˈd͡ʒʌs.təs/Medium

Meaning: Just, lawful, uprightMedium

In 30 seconds: Justus is a German name from Latin, meaning 'just,' 'lawful,' or 'upright.' It carries a clear sense of fairness and integrity.
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Origin MediumGerman, Dutch, Finnish
MeaningJust, lawful, upright
U.S. rank (2024)#1807 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births90 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2007
Total births (all-time)≈ 9,059

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200718802024

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

History & Origin

Rooted in the Latin word for just and lawful, Justus came into German use as a name signalling uprightness. It has a long scholarly pedigree — chemist Justus von Liebig, a founding figure of modern chemistry, bore it in the nineteenth century.

Related forms appear across Europe, including the French Juste, Italian Giusto, Lithuanian Justas, and Spanish Justo. Actor Justus von Dohnányi is a modern German bearer.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Justus is 'just, lawful, upright', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Justus — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

JusteGiustoJustasJusto

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Justus von Dohnányi (1960–present)
    Male public figure listed on Behind the Name.
  • ★Justus von Liebig (1803–1873)
    Male public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Justus…

Justin— a related name from the same Latin root about justice

Frequently Asked

What does the name Justus mean?

Justus is usually explained as meaning 'just, lawful, upright' and is most often linked with German tradition.

How do you pronounce Justus?

It's commonly said JUHS-tuhs /ˈd͡ʒʌs.təs/.

Is Justus a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Justus is used as a boy name.

How popular is Justus?

In 2024, Justus ranked #1807 in the U.S. for boys, with 90 births recorded.