August
August is a boys' name of Latin origin meaning “great, magnificent.” It ranked #81 in the United States in 2025. August derives from the Latin 'Augustus,' meaning 'great' or 'venerable,' famously borne by the first Roman emperor.
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how do you pronounce August?
AW-gust
where does the name August come from?
From the Latin augustus, meaning venerable, majestic or consecrated. It began as a title rather than a name: the Senate conferred it on Octavian in 27 BCE, and only afterwards did it become a personal name and the name of a month.
Mandy Moore and Taylor Swift (in folklore) helped revive it as a warm, literary-feeling modern choice.
the history of August
The month of August was renamed from Sextilis in the emperor's honour, which is why it sits beside July, renamed for Julius Caesar. The name has been used steadily in Germany and Scandinavia — several kings of Poland and Saxony were August — and has risen in English-speaking countries since 2000 alongside its relative Augustus.
how popular is this name?
August has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #74 in 1880, and ranked #81 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #81 |
| 2024 | #88 |
| 2023 | #104 |
| 2022 | #109 |
| 2021 | #120 |
| 2020 | #155 |
| 2019 | #167 |
| 2018 | #169 |
| 2017 | #191 |
| 2016 | #193 |
| 2010 | #427 |
| 2000 | #613 |
| 1990 | #845 |
| 1980 | #850 |
| 1970 | #782 |
| 1960 | #640 |
| 1950 | #469 |
| 1940 | #354 |
| 1930 | #271 |
| 1920 | #211 |
| 1910 | #188 |
| 1900 | #144 |
| 1890 | #84 |
| 1880 | #74 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years August fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named August?
- Augustus Caesar (first Roman emperor)
- August Wilson (American playwright)
- August Alsina (American singer)
what are the nicknames and variants of August?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to August?
what names go well with August?
Sibling names that share August's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about August
What does the name August mean?
August means “great, magnificent”.
What is the origin of the name August?
August comes from the Latin naming tradition. Related forms include Augustus, Auguste and Augusto.
How popular is the name August?
August ranked #81 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1880, at #74, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is August a boy or girl name?
August is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce August?
August is pronounced AW-gust, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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