"majestic, venerable"
Austen
Pronunciation: [ AWST-ihn ]
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Named for literature's most beloved chronicler of human nature
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"consecrated, sacred"
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Austen
Austen is a medieval English contracted form of Augustine, from the Latin Augustinus, itself derived from Augustus meaning majestic, venerable, or consecrated. The name is most celebrated through Jane Austen (1775-1817), the beloved English novelist whose works like Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility remain among the most widely read novels in the English language.
As a boy's name, Austen offers literary prestige and the sophistication of Jane Austen's legacy while remaining usable for males. It serves as an alternative to the more common Austin, with the distinctive -en spelling evoking the author's surname directly. Interest has grown steadily alongside the resurgence of Jane Austen's cultural popularity.
Jane Austen is a cultural icon in the English-speaking world, and her surname as a given name carries immediate literary prestige. In the city of Austin, Texas, the name also carries regional pride. For literary parents, Austen signals reverence for English literature's most celebrated female author.
Historical Record
Austen first appeared in US Social Security records in 1957.
Over 8,046 babies have been named Austen in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Austen is past its peak , currently ranked #1,986 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jane Austen's face appears on the British £10 note
- Jane Austen completed six major novels despite never marrying and living a relatively quiet life
- Austin, Texas is named after Stephen F. Austin, not Jane Austen, though the spelling connection delights literature lovers
Austen in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Austen
Jane Austen
Writer
1775
English novelist who wrote Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma — among the most beloved novels in the E...
English novelist who wrote Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma — among the most beloved novels in the English language
Saint Augustine of Hippo
Religious
354
Influential Christian theologian and philosopher, one of the most important figures in Western Christianity
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,986
- Total SSA Count
- 78
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Austen
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Austen is also used as a girl name, ranked #2988.
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Austen
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About the Name Austen
Austen is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "majestic, venerable" in Latin Augustus .
Is Austen a boy or girl name? Austen is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,986 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,988. Austen is more commonly used as a boy name.
Austen is currently ranked #1,986 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Austen has 2 syllables and is pronounced AWST-ihn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Austen include Aus. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Austen include Austin, Austyn, Auston . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis