Augustine is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word 'augustus', which means 'great' or 'majestic'. It was popular among ancient Romans and was often given to children born around the time of the harvest festival known as Augustus. The name has also been associated with Saint Augustine of Hippo, a prominent Christian theologian who lived in the fourth century AD.
In the Middle Ages, Augustine became a popular choice for boys' names in Europe. It was particularly common among the nobility and was often given to children in honor of Saint Augustine. Over time, Augustine has evolved into a unisex name and is now used for both boys and girls throughout the world.
Some famous people who have borne the name Augustine include Augustine of Hippo (also known as Saint Augustine), Augustine of Canterbury (a missionary bishop who brought Christianity to England), and Augustine of Dara (a Nestorian scholar and theologian). In more recent times, Augustine has been used by celebrities such as actresses Zooey Deschanel and Olivia Wilde. Despite its long history and many notable bearers, Augustine remains a relatively uncommon name today, making it a unique choice for parents looking for something different for their child.
The name Augustine had a fluctuating popularity over the years. From 1880 to around 1965, there were periods where it was moderately popular with annual birth counts ranging from 6 to 33. However, starting from 1966 onwards, the popularity significantly declined, with fewer than 20 births per year, indicating a decreasing trend in the use of this name. Despite this decline, there have been occasional spikes in recent years, such as 28 births in 2021 and 29 births in 2022, suggesting some renewed interest in the name Augustine. Overall, from 1880 to 2023, there were a total of 3764 births with the name Augustine.