Gustavus

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Gustavus

Gender: Masculine
Language: Latin
Etymology:
Gustavus is a Latin name, possibly coming (according to the The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names) from an older German name, Chustaffus, meaning “Meditation, Staff” from “chuton” (to meditate) and “staf” (staff). Other sources say it means “Guatr’s Staff.” Guatr was the name of an old Germanic tribe.

History:
Gustavus is the Latin form of a Scandinavian name, Gustaf. It was not really found outside of Scandinavia until the Swedish king Gustaf II Adolf (Gustavus Adolphus in Latin) made it famous in the 1600s.

Please see Gustav for more information.

Pronunciation: guh-STAH-vus, guh-STAY-vus

Diminutives:
English: Gus.

Alternates:
Dutch: Gustaaf, Staaf.
Finnish: Kustaa, Kyösti.
French: Gustave.
German: Gustavus.
Latin: Gustavus.
Spanish: Gustavo.
Swedish: Gustaf, Gösta.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Gustavus Hesselius (1682-1755)
Swedish-American painter.

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Gustavus Myers (1872-1942)
American historian.

Military:
Gustavus Conyngham (1747-1819)
American naval officer.
Gustavus Vasa Fox (1821-1883)
American naval officer.

Political Figures:
Christopher Gustavus Memminger (1803-1888)
Confederate politician.

Royalty:
Gustavus II Adolphus (1594-1632)
King of Sweden.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.025 % named Gustavo
less than 0.004 % named Gustavus

Popularity of Gustavus:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-2000: N/A