The name Augustus has its origins in the Latin word "Augustus", which means "venerable" or "consecrated". It was originally a title bestowed upon the first Roman emperor, Gaius Octavius, by the Roman Senate in 27 BC. The name became associated with imperial grandeur and majesty.

Augustus was a significant name in Roman history, as it was the title held by the first emperor of the Roman Empire. The first person to bear the name was Gaius Octavius, who was born in 63 BC and later became known as Augustus Caesar after his great-uncle Julius Caesar's assassination.

The name Augustus also appears in various ancient texts, including the works of Roman historians such as Suetonius and Tacitus, who chronicled the reigns of the Roman emperors. It is mentioned in religious texts as well, notably in the Bible, where it is referenced in connection with the census that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Augustus as a given name dates back to the 4th century AD, when it was borne by the Roman emperor Augustus (also known as Aurelius Augustinus), who reigned from 326 to 337 AD.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Augustus. These include Augustus III (1670-1733), the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania; Augustus Frederick (1773-1843), the Duke of Sussex and son of King George III of the United Kingdom; and Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907), the renowned American sculptor known for his public monuments and memorials.

Other famous individuals with the name Augustus include Augustus Pugin (1812-1852), the English architect and designer who played a crucial role in the Gothic Revival movement, and Augustus John (1878-1961), the Welsh painter and etcher who was known for his portraits and landscapes.