Gustavus is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family nameGustavi, which was itself derived from the personal nameGustius. The name Gustius is believed to have been a cognomen, or nickname, given to individuals who were strong and brave. Therefore, Gustavus can be interpreted as meaning "strong" or "brave".
The name Gustavus has a long history of use throughout Europe, particularly in Germanic countries such as Germany, Sweden, and Norway. It was borne by several notable historical figures, including Gustav II Adolf of Sweden, who ruled from 1611 to 1632 and is known for his military accomplishments during the Thirty Years' War.
In addition to its use as a personal name, Gustavus has also been used as a title or rank in some contexts. For example, Gustavus Adolphus was a term used by Swedish officers to refer to their commanding officer, King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden.
Today, Gustavus is still used as a given name, particularly in Scandinavian countries and among families with ties to German culture or history. It remains a name associated with strength and bravery, reflecting its historic origins and meanings.
The name Gustavus experienced varied popularity over time, with peak years being 1966 and 1973, each having 10 births. It was least popular in the late 1800s to early 1900s, with fewer than 9 births per year from 1880 to 1923. After 1950, its popularity picked up again, ranging from 5 to 10 births per year until 2006. Overall, there were 266 babies named Gustavus over this period.