August Name Meaning

Quick Answer
The name August means “exalted” or “venerable” and comes from the Latin name Augustus. It has strong connections to Ancient Rome and later became associated with the month of August.

The August name meaning has deep historical roots and carries a sense of dignity, honor, and distinction. The name comes from the Latin Augustus, a title associated with the Roman emperor Octavian and later used as a personal name. Its traditional meaning is often connected with ideas such as “great,” “magnificent,” “venerable,” or “majestic.” Because of this rich background, August has a classic character that feels both historical and refined.

August also has a strong connection to the calendar because August takes its name from Augustus Caesar. Over time, the name moved beyond its Roman origins and became established as a given name in several European languages and cultures. Today, August can feel traditional while still fitting modern naming styles. Its short form, distinctive sound, and connection to history make it an appealing choice for parents exploring names with an elegant and meaningful background.

Key Facts

Detail	Information
Gender	Boy / Masculine
Meaning	Exalted, venerable
Origin	Latin / Ancient Roman
Pronunciation	AW-gust
Related Name	Augustus
Feminine Form	Augusta
Nicknames	Gus, Augie
Related Month	August

What Is the Name August?

August is a masculine given name derived from Augustus, the Latin name and imperial title associated with the first Roman emperor. The underlying Latin word carries the sense of something exalted, venerable, or worthy of honor.

The name differs from the ordinary adjective august, although the two share the same historical root. As an adjective, august describes someone or something impressive, dignified, or worthy of respect.

As a personal name, August has developed across several European languages. It appears in German, Polish, Scandinavian, Catalan, and English naming traditions, among others.

The central meaning of August is “exalted” or “venerable.” Those meanings give the name a formal and dignified character.

Traditional Meaning

The traditional meaning connects August with honor, dignity, and elevated status. The source form Augustus comes from Latin and was associated with something revered or distinguished.

This meaning does not describe a personality trait that every person named August must have. Instead, it reflects the historical meaning attached to the name and its Latin predecessor.

Modern Meaning

Modern parents may choose August because it sounds classic while remaining relatively simple and distinctive. The name can also evoke the month of August, giving it a natural seasonal association.

That connection adds another layer of meaning for English speakers. The month itself received its name from Augustus, the Roman emperor.

Origin and Etymology

August has a Latin and Ancient Roman origin. It developed from Augustus, which comes from the Latin verb augeo, meaning “to increase.” The name Augustus developed the associated sense of being exalted or venerable.

The historical importance of Augustus greatly strengthened the name’s cultural identity. Octavian, originally known as Gaius Octavius, received the name Augustus from the Roman Senate in 27 BC. He later became known as Augustus, the first Roman emperor.

Over time, forms of Augustus developed throughout Europe. August became the form used in several Germanic and Scandinavian languages and also became established as an English given name.

History and Cultural Context

The name’s strongest historical connection comes from Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor. The Senate granted Octavian the name Augustus, and later Roman emperors used Augustus as an imperial title.

The name also influenced the calendar. The Roman month originally known as Sextilis became August in honor of Augustus. That explains why the personal name and the month share the same form in English.

Later, August developed independently as a personal name in several European traditions. It appears as a masculine name in German, Polish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Catalan, and English usage.

The name also has a feminine counterpart. Augusta is the feminine form of Augustus and has its own historical use in English and several European languages.

Examples of the Name August

August can fit several naming styles, from traditional to contemporary.

August James a classic first and middle name combination.
August Alexander pairs two historically established names.
August Henry gives the name an old-fashioned European character.
August Bennett combines August with a modern surname-style middle name.
August Thomas a straightforward traditional combination.

In everyday speech, someone named August might use Gus or Augie as a nickname. Both appear as established diminutive forms associated with August.

Variants and Spellings

August belongs to a broad family of names descended from Augustus.

Form	Language or Use
Augustus	Ancient Roman / Latin
August	English and several European languages
Auguste	French and German feminine usage
Augusta	Feminine form
Augusto	Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
Augusts	Latvian
Augustas	Lithuanian
Ágúst	Icelandic
Avgust	Russian and Slovene
Augie	English nickname
Gus	English nickname

These forms are not simply alternative spellings. Some belong to different languages, while others represent feminine forms or shortened versions.

Famous People Named August

Several notable people have carried August as a given name.

August Strindberg Swedish playwright, novelist, and painter whose work became influential in Scandinavian literature and theatre.
August Wilson American playwright best known for his series of plays documenting African American life across different decades of the 20th century.
August Krogh Danish physiologist who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1920 for work on capillary regulation.

These examples show how the name appears across literature, science, and the arts rather than belonging to a single cultural setting.

August vs. Related Terms

Term	Meaning	How It Differs
August	Exalted, venerable	Modern given name derived from Augustus
Augustus	Exalted, venerable	Original Latin/Roman form and imperial title
Augusta	Feminine form of Augustus	Feminine counterpart of the name
Auguste	Form related to Augustus	Used in French and some German naming traditions
Augusto	Form of Augustus	Used in Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish
Augustine	Name derived from Augustus	A related Christian-era name with a different developed form

August and Augustus have the closest relationship. August represents a shorter form that developed as an independent given name in several languages, while Augustus retains the full Latin form and its strong Roman association.

FAQs

Is August a boy’s name?

Yes. August is traditionally a masculine given name. Major naming references list it as a masculine name and document its use across English and several European languages.

What does the name August mean?

August means “exalted” or “venerable.” Its meaning comes through the Latin name Augustus, which developed from augeo, meaning “to increase.”

What is the origin of the name August?

August has Latin and Ancient Roman roots. It developed from Augustus, the name and imperial title associated with Octavian, the first Roman emperor.

How do you pronounce August as a name?

In English, August is commonly pronounced AW-gust, with the first syllable receiving the main stress. The pronunciation can vary slightly across languages.

Is August related to the month August?

Yes. The English month name August ultimately honors the Roman emperor Augustus. The month was renamed in his honor during the Roman period.

Is August short for Augustus?

August and Augustus belong to the same name family, but August also functions as a complete given name. In several European languages, August developed as the established form rather than simply serving as an informal abbreviation.

What are common nicknames for August?

Gus and Augie are established English diminutives for August. The name can also work without a nickname because of its short, two-syllable form.

Is Augusta the feminine form of August?

Augusta is the feminine form of Augustus and belongs to the same Latin name family. It has historical usage in English and several European languages.

Conclusion

August carries the Latin meaning “exalted” or “venerable” and traces its history to the Roman name Augustus. Its connection with the first Roman emperor and the month of August gives it an unusually rich historical background. Today, August works as a concise masculine name with established European forms and familiar nicknames such as Gus and Augie.