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Austin: Unraveling the Origin and Meaning of the Name

Updated

Austin Overview

  • Meaning: Austin means “majestic” or “great.” It is derived from the Latin name Augustine, which translates as “to increase.”
  • Gender: The name Austin is predominantly given to boys, but can also be gender-neutral.
  • Origin: Austin is of Latin and English origin. It is derived from the Old French “Aostin,” which was itself a contraction of the name Agustin. That was a French equivalent of the Latin name “Augustine.
  • Pronunciation: The name is most commonly pronounced as “AW-sten.”
  • Popularity: The name Austin has been popular for several decades. In the United States, it ranked 89th in 2020.
  • Nicknames: Augie, Aust, Austin Space, Aussie, Awesome, Az, Azzie, Dino, Stan, Sten, Tex, Tino, TinTin, Tiny, Ostrich, Oz, Ozzie.
  • Variations: Agustin, Agostino, Augustus, Augustin, Augustyn, Avgust, Awstin.
  • Namesakes: Austin Briggs (American cartoonist), Austin Caroll (Irish nun), Austin Leslie (American chef), Austin Roe (American spy).

What Does Austin Mean?

The name Austin has several different recorded meanings. To a person of faith, the name Austin might mean “exalted.”

It is believed that Austin is derived from the Old French name “Agustin,” which was rooted in the Latin “Augustinus.”

That name gave rise to multiple others. One example is “Augustine,” which means “great” or “to increase.” Another is Augustus, which translates to “majestic,” “solemn,” “sacred,” “venerable,” and “dignified”. The name Austin can also refer to the month of August.

What Is the Origin of the Name Austin?

The given name “Austin” is of Old French origin. It is derived from “Aostin,” which in turn was a contraction of the name “Agustin.” That was a common French equivalent of the Latin “Augustine.” The English spelling of “Austin” dates back to at least the time of Geoffrey Chaucer, a Medieval author and poet (1).

How Popular is the Name Austin?

In 2020, Austin was rated as the 89th most popular name for newborn boys in the United States (2). It had been in the top 50 choices for many years until dropping to 63 in 2009.

Overall, Austin has been a popular baby boy’s name in the past 5 years, but it has recently seen a precipitous drop in use.

Austin was at its most popular in 1996 when it was the 9th most popular baby boy’s name in the United States.

How Do I Pronounce Austin?

The name “Austin” is two syllables long. It is most commonly pronounced with the stress on the first syllable: “AW-sten.”

Is Austin a Boy or Girl Name?

Austin is traditionally considered to be a masculine name. However, it can be gender-neutral.

Variations of Austin

There are several alternate spellings of the name Austin, including “Austen,” “Austan,” “Auston,” and “Austyn.”

Austin has many variations in other languages, especially in Germanic, Slavic, and Romance languages. That is because Austin derives from the ancient Latin name “Augustinus.” Here is a multi-linguistic list of different versions of the name Austin:

  • Agustin (Spanish)
  • Agostino (Italian)
  • Augustus (German)
  • Augustin (French)
  • Augustyn (Polish)
  • Avgust (Slavic)
  • Awstin (Welsh)

Nicknames for Austin

There are tons of nicknames you could apply to the name Austin. These nicknames range from simple and popular truncations of the name to quirky and unique puns! Some of the most common examples include:

  • Augie
  • Aust
  • Austin Space
  • Aussie
  • Awesome
  • Az
  • Azzie
  • Dino
  • Stan
  • Sten
  • Tex
  • Tino
  • TinTin
  • Tiny
  • Ostrich
  • Oz
  • Ozzie

Similar Names to Austin

If you think Austin has a ring to it but it isn’t quite your favorite, here are some excellent choices that sound similar to Austin:

Middle Names for Austin

If you like the name Austin, but you’re struggling to come up with middle names to match, here are some that pair particularly well:

Sibling Names for Austin

Are you expecting twins? Or perhaps you already have a child named Austin, and you are thinking of expanding your family. If so, here are a few sibling names that will sound nice with Austin:

For a brother:

For a sister:

Famous People Named Austin

The most famous Austin in the English-speaking world is probably the early 19th Century British novelist Jane Austen. However, there have also been many famous people with the given name Austin. You might recognize the following:

  • Austin Noah Abrams: An American actor most noted for his role as Ron Anderson on “The Walking Dead.”
  • Austin Bibens-Dirkx: An American professional baseball pitcher.
  • Austin Briggs: An American cartoonist most famous for his work on the comic series “Flash Gordon.”
  • Austin Carroll: An Irish nun and writer.
  • Austin Ejide: A Nigerian soccer player.
  • Austin Leslie: An American chef who became internationally renowned for his Creole soul food.
  • Austin Pendleton: An American actor, playwright, and theater director.
  • Austin Roe: An American spy who helped fight for American independence.
  • Austin John Winkler: An American singer-songwriter best known as the lead singer of the rock band Hinder.

Austin in Popular Culture

Austin is a relatively rare name in popular culture. Still, here is a list of a few more famous fictional Austins to help inspire you in your baby naming journey:

  • Austin Moon: Character from the Disney Channel sitcom “Austin & Ally.”
  • Austin Powers: Character in the “Austin Powers” movie franchise.
  • Austin Reed: Character from the long-running soap opera “The Days of Our Lives.”
  • Austin: A purple kangaroo from the Nick Jr. cartoon “The Backyardigans.”
  • Austin: Character from the action movie “American Cyborg: Steel Warrior.”

Austin FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about the name Austin.

Is Austin More Commonly a Surname?

Yes! In fact, the surname also happens to have some of the most famous holders in history. Those include Jane Austin, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Stephen F. Austin (the “father of Texas”).

Does the Name Austin Have Any Colors Associated With It?

As with many names, Austin does have associated colors. Namely, violet and red. In addition, there are links to copper, diamonds, and iron.

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