"great, magnificent"
Austen
Pronunciation: [ AWST-ihn ]
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A literary tribute to Jane Austen, the queen of English fiction
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Austen
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"venerable, august"
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Austen
Austen is an English surname variant of Austin, which derives from the Latin 'Augustinus' — a diminutive of 'Augustus,' meaning great, venerable, or magnificent. The surname form Austen is most famously borne by Jane Austen (1775-1817), the beloved English novelist whose works are considered masterpieces of English literature. As a given name for girls, Austen is a distinctly modern development, part of the literary surname trend.
Austen as a girl's name began gaining traction in the 2010s, largely driven by the enduring cultural prestige of Jane Austen. The name appeals to literary-minded parents who love both the author and the elegant, gender-neutral sound. It has appeared in the US top 1000 baby names and continues to rise as Jane Austen's cultural influence grows through adaptations and academic study.
Jane Austen (1775-1817) is considered one of the greatest novelists in the English language. Her novels — including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma — have never been out of print and have sold tens of millions of copies. Naming a child Austen is a direct tribute to one of English literature's supreme voices.
Historical Record
Austen first appeared in US Social Security records in 1980.
Over 1,247 babies have been named Austen in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Austen is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,988 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jane Austen's face appears on the British £10 note, issued in 2017 — making her the first woman other than the Queen to appear on a UK banknote
- Pride and Prejudice (1813) has never been out of print in its 200+ year history and has sold an estimated 20 million copies worldwide
Austen in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Austen
Austin Butler
Actor
1991
American actor who received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in 'Elvis' (2022)
Jane Austen
Writer
1775
English novelist considered one of the greatest in the English language, author of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensib...
English novelist considered one of the greatest in the English language, author of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,988
- Total SSA Count
- 55
- 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 2-1 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
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Austen is also used as a boy name, ranked #1986.
View Austen as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Austen
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About the Name Austen
Austen is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "great, magnificent" in Latin .
Is Austen a boy or girl name? Austen is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,988 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,986. Austen is more commonly used as a boy name.
Austen is currently ranked #2,988 in popularity for girl 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 Austi and Aus. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Austen include Austyn, Austin . 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