"great, magnificent"
Origin: Latin (augustus)
Language: English
August
Pronunciation: [ AHG-uhst ]
Boy Name
#88 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
Roman imperial grandeur packed into summer's finest month
English
German
Scandinavian
American
Strong
Classic
Sophisticated
Vintage
Bold
Meaning & Origin
"venerable, sacred"
Origin: Latin (augere, to increase)
Language: English
"great, venerable, majestic"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
"consecrated; worthy of reverence"
Origin: Latin augustus
Language: Latin
The Story of August
August comes from the Latin 'augustus,' meaning great, venerable, or consecrated — a term bestowed upon the first Roman Emperor Octavian by the Senate in 27 BCE. The month of August was renamed in his honor (originally called Sextilis). As a given name, August carries the full weight of Roman imperial grandeur in just two syllables.
August has risen sharply in the United States since 2010, appealing to parents who want a grand, classical name with the friendly nickname Gus. Princess Eugenie of Britain named her son August Philip Hawke Brooksbank in 2021, giving the name a royal boost. The novel and film Wonder (featuring a character named Auggie) also significantly increased its visibility.
The Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar fundamentally shaped Western civilization — his reign established the Pax Romana and the political structures that governed Europe for centuries. The name also appears in playwright August Wilson's body of work celebrating African American experience.
Fun Facts
- The month of August was renamed from Sextilis to honor Emperor Augustus Caesar, who used it to complete his greatest military victories
- August Wilson is considered one of America's greatest playwrights, writing a decade-by-decade chronicle of Black American life
- Wonder (2012 novel, 2017 film) features August 'Auggie' Pullman — the name August spiked 30% the year the film was released
August in Other Languages
Latin
Augustus
Danish
August
French
Auguste
German
August
Italian
Augusto
Spanish
Augusto
Swedish
August
Famous People Named August
A
August Wilson
Writer
1945
Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright who wrote a ten-play cycle chronicling the African American experience in eac...
Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright who wrote a ten-play cycle chronicling the African American experience in each decade of the 20th century
A
August Strindberg
Writer
1849
Swedish playwright and novelist considered the father of modern Swedish literature
A
Auguste Rodin
Artist
1840
French sculptor known for The Thinker, The Kiss, and The Gates of Hell
A
Augustus Caesar
Politician
First Roman Emperor, who transformed Rome from republic to empire and presided over the Pax Romana — an era of prosperit...
First Roman Emperor, who transformed Rome from republic to empire and presided over the Pax Romana — an era of prosperity and relative peace
A
Auggie Pullman Fictional
Other
The ten-year-old boy with facial differences who navigates middle school with courage in R.J. Palacio's beloved novel Wo...
The ten-year-old boy with facial differences who navigates middle school with courage in R.J. Palacio's beloved novel Wonder (2012)
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #88
- Total SSA Count
- 3,876
- Cultural Origins
- English German Scandinavian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Auggie
Gus
Pairs Well With
August James
August William
August Cole
August Everett
August Thomas
August Reid
August Lane
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
August is also used as a girl name, ranked #910.
View August as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About August
What does the name August mean?
"great, magnificent" (from Latin (augustus)). "venerable, sacred" (from Latin (augere, to increase)). "great, venerable, majestic" (from Latin). "consecrated; worthy of reverence" (from Latin augustus). August comes from the Latin 'augustus,' meaning great, venerable, or consecrated — a term bestowed upon the first Roman Emperor Octavian by the Senate in 27 BCE. The month of August was renamed in his honor (originally called Sextilis). As a given name, August carries the full weight of Roman imperial grandeur in just two syllables.
What is the origin of the name August?
August has Latin (augustus), Latin (augere, to increase), Latin, Latin augustus, English, German, Scandinavian, and American origins. In Latin (augustus), it means "great, magnificent". In Latin (augere, to increase), it means "venerable, sacred". In Latin, it means "great, venerable, majestic". In Latin augustus, it means "consecrated; worthy of reverence".
Is August a boy or girl name?
August is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #88. As a girl name, it is ranked #910. August is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce August?
August is pronounced AHG-uhst.
How popular is the name August?
August is currently ranked #88 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for August?
Common nicknames for August include Auggie and Gus.
What are good middle names for August?
Popular middle name pairings include August James, August William, August Cole, August Everett, August Thomas, August Reid, and August Lane.
What are good sibling names for August?
Names that pair well with August as siblings include Felix, Atticus, Theodore, Celeste, Cordelia, Octavia, and Julius.
How many syllables does August have?
August has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is August a common or rare name?
August is a very popular name, ranked #88 among boy names in the United States.
About the Name August
August is a boy name with English, German, Scandinavian, and American origins . The name means "great, magnificent" in Latin (augustus) .
Is August a boy or girl name? August is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #88 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #910. August is more commonly used as a boy name.
August is currently ranked #88 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name August has 2 syllables and is pronounced AHG-uhst, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for August include Auggie and Gus. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of August include Augustus, Augustine, Augustin, Augusto, Auguste . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.