Austin is a popular given name of English origin that has gained significant popularity in recent years. The name Austin originates from the Latin word 'Augustus', which means "great" or "magnificent". It was also used as a surname for people who lived near Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury, England.
The name Austin was first recorded as a given name in England during the Middle Ages, although it was more commonly used as a surname at that time. In the 18th century, Austin began to be used as a given name again, and its popularity has continued to grow ever since. Today, Austin is one of the most popular boys' names in the United States and other English-speaking countries.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Austin. These include Austin Clarke, an Irish poet who won the Guinness Poetry Prize in 1954; Austin Osman Spare, an English artist known for his surrealistic paintings; and Austin Powers, a fictional character created by Mike Myers that has become a popular cultural icon.
Overall, Austin is a strong and distinctive name with a rich history behind it. Its meaning of "great" or "magnificent" makes it a fitting choice for parents looking to give their child a powerful and meaningful name.
The name Austin has a rich history of popularity in the United States, as indicated by these statistics dating back to the late 19th century.
From 1880 to 1900, the number of births with the name Austin fluctuated between 53 and 68 per year. While not exceptionally high, this range demonstrates that the name was already present in American culture during this time period.
The early 20th century saw a significant increase in the popularity of the name Austin. Between 1901 and 1920, the number of births with the name Austin ranged from 50 to 467 per year. This upward trend continued into the 1930s and 1940s, with the annual number of births for the name Austin reaching a high of 297 in 1942.
However, after World War II, the popularity of the name Austin began to decline. Between 1950 and 1968, the number of annual births with the name Austin fluctuated between 183 and 252. This downward trend continued into the 1970s, with the annual number of births for the name Austin dropping below 200 in some years.
Despite this decline in popularity, the name Austin began to regain momentum in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1979, there were 1,162 births with the name Austin, a significant increase from previous years. This upward trend continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, reaching an all-time high of 23,193 births in 1994.
However, after peaking in the mid-1990s, the popularity of the name Austin began to decline once again. Between 2000 and 2023, the annual number of births with the name Austin ranged from a high of 15,946 in 2000 to a low of 3,363 in 2022.
In total, between 1880 and 2023, there were 431,550 births with the name Austin in the United States. This demonstrates the enduring popularity of the name over more than a century, despite fluctuations in its popularity over time.