Boy’s name · Latin, Germanic

Gus

How to say it: GUSS · /ˈɡʌs/

Short form of Augustus (Latin 'great, venerable') or Gustav (Germanic 'staff of the Goths'). Long used independently.

Gus was the 1,154th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 145 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1880s, its births are down about 11% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #1,250 by 2030.

Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures

#1,154for boys in 2025
1 in 22,864US babies
145born in 2025
#1,250projected for 2030
1880sits peak decade
under 1 in 200chance a classmate shares it

Key facts

Key facts about Gus
Rank among boys’ names, 2025#1,154
Babies born in 2025145
Share of births1 in 22,864
Peak decade1880s
Change over 10 years−11%
Projected rank for 2030 (estimate)#1,250

Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.

Its life, decade by decade

Once a leading choice in the 1880s, Gus now stands far below that peak. It remains in steady use, though a further slip looks likely.

1900195020002020–25
Peak: 935 per million births, 1880s.

What goes with it

Short and sturdy, Gus mixes crisp attack with a breathy finish. Otis shares its vintage warmth.

Parents who love Gus also love

Honouring a Gus in the family

In the classroom

In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Gus is about under 1 in 200.

Around the world

This spelling is used in English, Swedish.

Famous people named Gus

  • Gus Van Sant (born 1952)American film director, producer, photographer and musician
  • Gus Grissom (1926–1967)American astronaut
  • Gus Poyet (born 1967)Uruguayan association football player and manager

From Wikidata and Wikipedia

Keep exploring

Find names you'll both love, starting with Gus

The one-minute style quiz.

Take the quiz

Or see the Vowel app →