August: Meaning, Origin & Everything You Need to Know
August is a Latin name from Augustus, meaning 'venerable' or 'majestic'.
At a Glance
- Pronunciation
- AW-gustˈɔː.ɡəst
- Origin
- Latin
- Meaning
- August is a Latin name from Augustus, meaning 'venerable' or 'majestic'.
- Gender
- Boy's name
- Syllables
- 2
- Nicknames
- Auggie, Augie, Gus
- US Popularity (2025)
- #81 — 📈 Rising
What Does August Mean?
August comes from the Latin Augustus, which means 'venerable' or 'majestic'. It was the title given to the first Roman emperor, Octavian, in 27 BC, and became a title for later emperors. The month of August was named in his honour. As a given name, August has been common in Germany and Scandinavia for centuries, and August the Strong ruled Saxony and Poland around 1700.
In the US, the name was a regular in the nineteenth century, fell away in the twentieth, and has come back strongly since 2015: #195 that year, #104 in 2023 and #81 in 2025, its best rank in the data shown.
August Wilson, the American playwright who wrote 'Fences' and the ten-play Pittsburgh Cycle, and August Strindberg, the Swedish playwright, are two well-known bearers. In R. J. Palacio's novel 'Wonder', the main character is August 'Auggie' Pullman.
How Popular Is August?
August rose from #195 in 2015 to #155 in 2020 and #81 in 2025, with a steady climb through the decade.
Source: US Social Security Administration (SSA) baby name data, ssa.gov/oact/babynames, 2025.
Middle Names That Go with August
Classic pairings
- August James
- August William
- August Alexander
- August Henry
Modern pairings
- August Atlas
- August Wilder
- August Beckett
- August Jasper
One-syllable options
- August Reid
- August Cole
- August Grant
- August Blake
Family-name bridges
- August John
- August David
- August Thomas
- August Joseph
Names Similar to August
If you love August, you might also like these names with a similar feel, origin, or sound.
Sibling Names That Go with August
💙 Brother names
💗 Sister names
Famous People Named August
- August WilsonAmerican playwright, author of 'Fences' and the Pittsburgh Cycle.
- August StrindbergSwedish playwright and novelist, author of 'Miss Julie'.
- August PullmanBoy with a facial difference at the centre of R. J. Palacio's novel 'Wonder'.
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Frequently Asked Questions About August
Is August a boy or girl name?
August is primarily a boy's name. It is very rarely used for girls.
How do you pronounce August?
August is pronounced AW-gust (IPA: ˈɔː.ɡəst). It has 2 syllables. Common nicknames include Auggie, Augie, Gus.
Is August a Latin name?
August is of Latin origin. August is a Latin name from Augustus, meaning 'venerable' or 'majestic'.
What does August mean?
August is a Latin name from Augustus, meaning 'venerable' or 'majestic'.
August comes from the Latin Augustus, which means 'venerable' or 'majestic'. It was the title given to the first Roman emperor, Octavian, in 27 BC, and became a title for later emperors. The month of August was named in his honour. As a given name, August has been common in Germany and Scandinavia for centuries, and August the Strong ruled Saxony and Poland around 1700.
Is August a popular name in 2026?
Yes, August is a highly popular name. It ranked #81 in the United States in 2025 according to the Social Security Administration. The name is currently trending upward. August rose from #195 in 2015 to #155 in 2020 and #81 in 2025, with a steady climb through the decade.
What are good middle names for August?
Good middle names for August include classic choices like August James and August William, modern options like August Atlas and August Wilder, and crisp one-syllable pairings like August Reid and August Cole. The best middle name depends on your surname and personal style.
Discussing August with your partner?
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