Find out how popular the first name August has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of August by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, August is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 87% of people named August being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 3,439 male babies and 289 female babies born with the name August.

The history of the first name August

The name August has its origins in the Latin language and dates back to ancient Roman times. It is derived from the Latin word "augustus", which means "consecrated" or "venerable". This name was originally used as a title bestowed upon the first Roman emperor, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, by the Roman Senate in 27 BC.

The month of August was later named after this esteemed emperor to honor him. Prior to this, the month was called Sextilis, as it was the sixth month in the ancient Roman calendar. The transition to the name August solidified the emperor's legacy and cemented his place in history.

One of the earliest notable figures to bear the name August was Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor who ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD. He ushered in the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and stability in the Roman Empire, and oversaw significant cultural and infrastructural developments.

Another prominent historical figure with the name August was August the Strong, born in 1670, who was the Elector of Saxony and later became the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. He is renowned for his lavish lifestyle, patronage of the arts, and his contributions to the architectural wonders of Dresden.

In the realm of literature, August Wilson, born in 1945 and died in 2005, was a renowned African American playwright who won numerous accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. His works, such as "Fences" and "The Piano Lesson", poignantly explored the experiences of African Americans in the 20th century.

August Strindberg, born in 1849 and died in 1912, was a Swedish playwright, novelist, and essayist who is considered a pioneer of modern theater. His plays, such as "Miss Julie" and "The Dance of Death", explored themes of class conflict, gender roles, and the human condition with remarkable depth and insight.

August Bebel, born in 1840 and died in 1913, was a German socialist politician and writer who played a pivotal role in the development of the Social Democratic Party of Germany. He championed workers' rights, women's suffrage, and social reforms, leaving a lasting impact on the German political landscape.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name August, a name with rich historical roots and associations with power, reverence, and cultural significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name August was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of August, please contact us.

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