August

Gender: Mostly Boy

Meaning: Great; venerable; majestic

Origin: Latin augustus — from augere (to increase, to honor), the title given to the first Roman Emperor

Popularity: Ranked #81 in 2025 with 3,958 babies born.

History: August carries the full weight of imperial Rome — it was the title given to Octavian, the first Roman Emperor, who became Augustus Caesar. The month of August was renamed in his honor. The name has been used by German and Scandinavian royalty for centuries, lending it a distinctly European gravitas that took time to fully root in American soil. In the United States, August was quietly present from 1880 onward, favored by families with German and Northern European heritage. It remained steady but never dominant through much of the 20th century, fading into the background as shorter, punchier names dominated the mid-century era. For over a century, the name accumulated just over 74,000 total births, with the vast majority being boys. But beginning in the 2010s, August experienced a remarkable renaissance. The name entered the U.S. top 200, climbing steadily as parents began seeking names with classical weight and vintage charm. By 2025, August had reached rank 81 with 3,958 births that year, marking it as one of the fastest-rising traditional names for boys in recent memory. The playwright August Wilson brought literary gravitas to the name in the late 20th century. Today, August appeals to parents seeking something that feels both timeless and distinctive, with roots in history rather than invention. The nicknames Gus and Auggie provide warmth and accessibility, allowing the name to feel both imperial and approachable across childhood and adulthood.

Nicknames: Gus, Auggie, Augie, Gussie

Personality vibes: Dignified, Classic, Intellectual, Warm, Timeless

Sibling name pairings: Theodore, Eleanor, Benjamin, Clara, Henry, Josephine, Felix, Margot

Middle name ideas: August James, August Henry, August William, August Edward, August Oliver, August Charles, August Thomas, August Maxwell

Famous people named August:

• August Wilson — Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright; defined American theatrical voice.
• August Strindberg — Influential Swedish playwright and novelist of the 19th century.

August in America Today

August represents a distinctly modern return to classical naming. In 2025, it ranks 81st in the United States with 3,958 births, reflecting a generation of parents who value names with historical weight over contemporary trendiness. The name skews across educated, culturally aware families who appreciate its dual nature: formal enough for a CEO or professor, accessible enough for a child's playground. August appeals particularly to millennial and Gen Z parents seeking alternatives to overused modern names like Liam or Noah. While still predominantly chosen for boys, a small but growing number of girls receive the name, reflecting broader shifts toward gender-neutral naming. The name carries an inherent sophistication without pretension, making it increasingly visible in urban and suburban communities across the country.

Naming Trends

August's trajectory in America tells a story of quiet persistence followed by explosive growth. From 1880 through 2010, the name accumulated approximately 68,000 births for boys, representing a slow, steady presence among families with German or Scandinavian roots. The name peaked at rank 74 before settling at rank 81 in 2025, with 3,958 births that year. This resurgence began around 2010 and has accelerated markedly in recent years, driven by the broader vintage revival movement. Parents increasingly gravitate toward names that sound like they belong to their great-grandparents rather than their peers. August fits this pattern perfectly—it has genuine historical credentials, literary associations through August Wilson, and the flexibility to accommodate both formal and casual contexts. The availability of warm nicknames like Gus and Auggie has also removed barriers that might otherwise limit the name's appeal to younger generations.

Cultural Notes

August has maintained steady representation in American culture, most notably through August Wilson, the two-time Pulitzer Prize winner whose ten-play cycle defined late 20th-century American theater. His legacy has subtly elevated the name's cultural cachet among educated audiences. In contemporary media, August appears with increasing frequency as a character name in prestige television and literature, often assigned to intellectual or sensitive male characters. The name also carries casual modern usage through celebrity children—several notable public figures have chosen August for their sons in recent years, reinforcing its position as a sophisticated but approachable choice. Unlike some classical names that feel stiffly formal, August has benefited from a cultural moment that embraces vintage aesthetics while rejecting pretension. It exists comfortably in both high-brow contexts (literary, academic) and everyday American life, making it neither exclusive nor common.

Name length: 6 letters

How common is August? About 1 in 788 babies born in 2025 were named August, or roughly 11.6 per day in the United States.

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