Augusta, Princess of Wales; Image via Wikipedia
Is this regal appellation due for a revival?
Thanks to Annabel for suggesting Augusta as Baby Name of the Day.
Augusta started out as an honorific, the feminine equivalent of the Roman Augustus. Octavian, grand-nephew to Julius Caesar, was the first to receive the title; but it wasn’t quite like king or emperor. Augustus merely cemented his position as the top dog of his day.
The titles trickled into use as a given name among the nobility. In the 400s, a well-born Italian woman converted to Christianity. Legend has it that her father flew into a rage and killed her. She’s remembered as St. Augusta of Treviso.
More modern times:
- Eighteenth century Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg became Princess of Wales. Her husband, Frederick, died before taking the throne and their son became George III;
- The same couple also passed the name on to their daughter, Princess Augusta Frederica. Her daughter, Caroline, would marry the future George IV;
- George III passed the name on to daughter Princess Augusta Sophia;
- George III also had a son called Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge. He married Augusta of Hesse-Kassel. They named their second daughter Augusta. Their third daughter, Mary Adelaide, was the grandmother to Mary of Teck, wife of George V.
If that’s not enough Augustas – and Georges – the first and last German Empresses wore the name, too.
Most American parents probably think not of castles and tiaras, but of golf courses. Augusta, Georgia is home to prestigious golf tournament The Masters. The city is named for the first princess on the list. (She’s also in the portrait above.)
You can find Augusta in many other places, too. The most intriguing might be Zaragoza – evolved from a settlement called Caesaraugusta, established by the emperor who first bore the title.
Parents have yet to rediscover Augusta. Despite hovering just outside of the US Top 100 in the 1880s, Augusta has not ranked in the Top 1000 since 1944. But August – a solid Top 100 pick for nineteenth century boys – is experiencing a revival, climbing from #608 in 2007 to #433 in 2009. Could his sister be so far behind?
Or could his sister be, well, August? Garth Brooks named his second daughter August Anna. And 2002 novel turned 2008 movie The Secret Life of Bees featured sisters called May, June, and August.
Then again, not long ago, Eleanor and Beatrice were considered hopelessly stodgy, so let’s not count Augusta out. Nickname Aggie would fit right in, and it is just a short trip from Savannah to this equally charming Southern city. If you’re looking for an overlooked name with history aplenty, Augusta is one to consider.
Ella Hollingsworth says
October 25, 2015 at 5:15 AMProud mama of Augusta Josephine … Otherwise known as Gussie, Gus, GusGus, Gussie Jo, Gussie Gator, Gussasaurus, and instead of the terminator we have The Gussinator… Younger sister to Antonia Suzanne. She is my wild child, my hurricane, my mini-me… she is a sass mouth, strong willed, smart as a whip, hilarious and talented… And beautiful!
WinterFawnCash says
January 10, 2014 at 9:37 PMBeingg in the U.S. When I hear the name Augusta, I think Of the deep south and the Kind hearted black mamie’s they had back then to watch the wealthyman’s children. I happen to love the name and its on my list, as a mn, not sure what will go with it, but I just love it.
vomiting says
October 31, 2010 at 10:06 PMOooh, I asked for Augusta at one point too! This name is my number one.
I love making long-winded combos, like:
Augusta Ruth Jessenia
Augusta Flora Adelaida Maud
Augusta Euphemia Ophelie
Augusta Pearl Eugenie Theodosia
Augusta Beatrice Louise Geneva
Augusta Winifred Mary Louisette
Dellitt says
June 22, 2012 at 5:14 PMhow do you say Louisette?
Bevin says
October 30, 2010 at 1:47 PMI’m not such a fan of Augusta but I do love August (for a boy). In fact it was a hot contender for our son but then he came out looking like a Felix. Likewise, Beatrice screams snobby English but I adore Beatrix. It’s amazing the difference a letter or two can make!
Dellitt says
June 22, 2012 at 5:14 PMI’m there with you, Beatrix is much better than Beatrice, which, frankly, is a bit boring.
British American says
October 30, 2010 at 12:15 PMDid you see that an actress just picked Augusta as a middle name for her new daughter:
http://www.namecandy.com/celebrity-baby-names/blog/2010/10/30/a-celebrity-baby-name-that-name-enthusiasts-can-love
appellationmountain says
October 30, 2010 at 1:50 PMI just saw that! Here’s the People Celebrity Babies link: http://celebritybabies.people.com/2010/10/30/jessica-capshaw-welcomes-daughter-eve-augusta/
Eve Augusta is gorgeous!
Dellitt says
June 22, 2012 at 5:13 PMI agree, but I like Augusta Eve more.
Jen @ blissfully caffeinated says
October 30, 2010 at 11:26 AMLove, love, love Augusta. Often wish I had not been so knocked out on drugs that I would have overruled my husband and named our middle child Augusta.
Julie says
October 27, 2010 at 5:19 PMAs a Lutheran, I find Augusta “odd” (for lack of a better word) since numerous Lutheran institutions are named Augustana or Augsburg, after the Augsburg Confession. It’s not quite in Trinity or Zion territory, but it still feels weird.
My best friend has a son named August. Before he was born I tried to talk her into Gustaf… while I’ve grown to like his name, I still like Gustaf better.
Dellitt says
June 22, 2012 at 5:12 PMI knew a Gustavo in college. I really liked that. Can’t decide if I like Gustave better than Gustaf though.
Charlotte Vera says
October 27, 2010 at 12:38 PMMark suggested August for Roseanna, but I prefer the name on a boy. I wish he wasn’t such a chart climber, because we’re reconsidering boys’ names now that our previous pick has gone somewhat pop culture. Augusta is beautiful, but it’s out due to the “a” ending.
Dellitt says
June 22, 2012 at 5:11 PMwhy no to an a ending?
JNE says
October 27, 2010 at 12:30 PMI like it. File it with my love of Georgia/Gerogiana, (and other feminized names like Lola mentioned), etc. But, like Georgiana, I prefer the male versions – George and Augustus (I really like the nn Gus!). I am surprised that Augusta is not climbing up the charts in the lower rankings. She seems ripe for the picking. I also like August and see that as a unisex name that doesn’t ruffle my feathers as much as other unisex names… maybe due to its rarity?
Lola says
October 27, 2010 at 11:58 AMI am charmed by Augusta (as much as I am by August). My Auntie Ginger is actually Augusta. She hates her name. No Augie, Aggie or Gussie for her! I also knew my great Uncle’s sister, Augusta/Gussie. She was bedridden and anciently grouchy when I was under 10 (when she died). While *she* scared the bejabbers out of me, I still find the name charming in a tea-party sort of way. But then, the stern sound appeals too… just like Wilhelmina & Josephine, Augusta is fierce & strong but pretty. Gets a solid :thumbsup: from me!
appellationmountain says
October 27, 2010 at 6:44 PMI knew an Augusta who answered to Gusty! I think it fit her. 🙂
Tea party is the PERFECT description for these names!
Dellitt says
June 22, 2012 at 5:09 PMTea Party names, love that description
Joy says
October 27, 2010 at 9:28 AMGreat write-up! For a young lady, I just don’t like the Ogg or Gus sounds of Augusta.
The name reminds me of a boy at my high school, a classmate of one of my older brothers, with the surname Augustine; his frequent nn was Augie.
Dellitt says
June 22, 2012 at 5:08 PMto me gus is one of the things that’s great about this name. I like the idea of Augusta nicknamed Gus (or Gussie). Love Gus. Augusta is its antithesis, really, elegant and pretty sounding, I think. Very ‘princessy’. I think it’s younger sounding and have no idea about the Oscar Wilde play mentioned. I had forgotten about Augusta, Georgia. To me it sounds like a character in a Jane Austen novel. I like it, I just don’t love it as much as similar sounding names, like Aurora or Antonia.