Names That Mean Magnificent

The name August is at its highest point since the 1890s, when it ranked among the Top 100 boy names in the US. And deservedly so, given its great meaning, historic roots, and cool nicknames.

Austin is one of the most attractive city names for babies, with an appealing southwestern feel and place-name panache.

Parents are beginning to look at imposing, somewhat fusty-sounding names like this one with fresh eyes: they definitely make a strong statement.

Augustine is more substantial (and saintly) than August, less pretentious than Augustus, and, along with its nickname Gus, is definitely a viable choice.

Augusta is a dignified name reminiscent of wealthy great-aunts, but with the fashion for both August and Gus for boys, Augusta could get some fresh energy.

More often used as a boys' name, parents have also been choosing Austin for their little girls - as the 176 female Austins born in the US in 2022 demonstrate. May we suggest the literary version "Austen" for girls, as a well-deserved homage to the famed English author Jane Austen?

French version of August, for both sexes. And for those who feel the spelling of August is too plain.

Agostino is the Italian form of this increasingly popular ancient name.

Gussie fits the growing trend of boyish nicknames for girls - alongside Charlie and Frankie. But Gussie is a bit fussy — try Gus.

This name of famed philosopher, mathematician and Nobel laureate Bertrand Russell becomes slightly more plausible with the French pronunciation, bare-TRAHN. Another noted bearer is French director and screenwriter Bertrand Tavernier.

Confessional memoirist Augusten Burroughs is the first literary notable to bear one of this family of names since the confessional saint.

Augie is one of a bundle of adorable boyish nicknames newly fashionable for girls, rarer than Billie. A twist on Angie and riding on the coattails of newly fashionable August -- Augie is a spunky, friendly tomboyish choice whether on its own or as a nickname.

An alternative spelling of Austin that is occasionally given to boys in the US.

The Dutch answer to Gus. Pronounce it like the English word and you have a name that means air.

This simple unisex Vietnamese name has multiple possible meanings, including "hero", "petal", "brave", "bright", depending on the characters used to write it.

Female form of Agustin, the Spanish version of Augustine.

As unique word names pop up more and more in the media by way of celebrity babies, the door is opened for all sorts of adjectives as names. Splendid would make for an unexpected and unusual virtue name for either a boy or a girl.

As unique word names pop up more and more in the media by way of celebrity babies, the door is opened for all sorts of adjectives as names. Splendid would make for an unexpected and unusual virtue name for either a boy or a girl.

An old school French and Dutch diminutive of Augustine, which is a female name in those countries.