Gustavus is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family nameGustavi, which was itself derived from the personal nameGustius. The name Gustius is believed to have been a cognomen, or nickname, given to individuals who were strong and brave. Therefore, Gustavus can be interpreted as meaning "strong" or "brave".
The name Gustavus has a long history of use throughout Europe, particularly in Germanic countries such as Germany, Sweden, and Norway. It was borne by several notable historical figures, including Gustav II Adolf of Sweden, who ruled from 1611 to 1632 and is known for his military accomplishments during the Thirty Years' War.
In addition to its use as a personal name, Gustavus has also been used as a title or rank in some contexts. For example, Gustavus Adolphus was a term used by Swedish officers to refer to their commanding officer, King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden.
Today, Gustavus is still used as a given name, particularly in Scandinavian countries and among families with ties to German culture or history. It remains a name associated with strength and bravery, reflecting its historic origins and meanings.
The name Gustavus has seen a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century and a half, with notable fluctuations in its usage. Between 1880 and 2006, there were a total of 266 births registered for the name Gustavus.
The name's peak in popularity occurred during the early to mid-20th century. In the years 1915 and 1917, there were nine and eight births respectively, marking the highest numbers recorded during this period. This trend continued into the 1960s, with ten births in 1966 and eight births in both 1967 and 1968.
However, the usage of the name Gustavus has largely decreased since then. From 1974 onwards, there were no more than seven births per year, and often even fewer. The most recent data available, from 2006, shows that only five babies were named Gustavus in that year.
Despite this decline in popularity, it is evident that the name Gustavus has had periods of significant usage throughout American history. Its peak popularity during the early to mid-20th century suggests that there may have been a cultural or societal influence encouraging its use during these years. However, like many names, Gustavus has seen fluctuations over time, with a more recent decrease in its usage.