Gustav
Gustav: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Gustav
Root meaning: “Geat/Goth”
- A male given name from the Germanic languages.
Etymology
A common royal name in Sweden, from Old Swedish Gøtstaf, from Old Norse Gautr (“Geat/Goth”) + stafr (“staff”). The oldest record in Sweden dates back to the year 1225 ("Gostauus"). In Peder Swart's chronicle about Gustav Vasa dated in the mid-1500s, the name is spelled Götstaff and is assumed to mean "Staff of the Geats."
How popular is Gustav?
Since 1880, 4,267 boys in the U.S. have been named Gustav. Its highest rank for boys was #242 in 1883. In 2025, 30 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Gustav
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic boy names
Sibling name ideas for Gustav
Sister and brother names that share Gustav's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Gustav FAQ
What does the name Gustav mean?
Gustav traces back to a root meaning "Geat/Goth". A male given name from the Germanic languages. A common royal name in Sweden, from Old Swedish Gøtstaf, from Old Norse Gautr (“Geat/Goth”) + stafr (“staff”). The oldest record in Sweden dates back to the year 1225 ("Gostauus"). In Peder Swart's chronicle about Gustav Vasa dated in the mid-1500s, the name is spelled Götstaff and is assumed to mean "Staff of the Geats."
What is the origin of the name Gustav?
Gustav is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Gustav?
Since 1880, 4,267 boys in the U.S. have been named Gustav. Its highest rank for boys was #242 in 1883. In 2025, 30 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Gustav a boy or girl name?
Gustav is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 0 girls and 4,267 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.