Gustave Boy

Popularity: #928 · Trend: → Stable

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GUS-tahv /ɡys.tav/

Origin: French; German

Meaning: French: staff of the Goths; German: royal staff

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Gustave has its roots in the Old Norse name "Gustaf," which is derived from the elements "gautr," meaning "Goth" or "the Geats," and "stafr," meaning "staff" or "support." This name made its way into various forms across different languages, evolving through the Middle Ages. In the 13th century, it appeared in Old Swedish as "Gustaf," which later influenced the French form "Gustave." The name was introduced into English through the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, although it remained relatively uncommon until later periods.

Historically, the name Gustave is associated with several notable figures, particularly in France and Sweden. One of the most significant bearers was King Gustav I of Sweden, who reigned in the 16th century and is often credited with founding the modern Swedish state.

His reign marked a pivotal moment in Swedish history, establishing a strong monarchy and promoting Protestantism. The name gained further prominence through the 19th-century French composer Gustave Charpentier and the influential French novelist Gustave Flaubert, both of whom contributed to the cultural landscape of their time.

Culturally, the name Gustave has been linked with notions of strength and support, reflecting its etymological roots. It has been embraced in various artistic and literary contexts, often symbolizing resilience and leadership.

The name has also inspired several diminutive forms, such as Gus, which carries a more informal and affectionate tone. Overall, Gustave's historical and cultural significance has allowed it to endure through the centuries, resonating with themes of nobility and artistic achievement.

Famous people named Gustave

In this section, you will find notable people named Gustave. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Gustave who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Gustave who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Gustave Eiffel is an engineer and architect best known for the Eiffel Tower and the Garabit Viaduct.

Gustave Courbet is a painter best known for The Stone Breakers, A Burial at Ornans, and The Origin of the World.

Gustave Flaubert is a novelist best known for Madame Bovary, Sentimental Education, and The Temptation of Saint Anthony.

Fictional characters named Gustave

The following list of fictional characters named Gustave is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Gustave is a fictional character from the film The Grand Budapest Hotel. He is the charismatic concierge of the titular hotel, known for his exceptional service and intricate involvement in a murder mystery.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gustave, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

GabrielJulienMatthieuAntoineLucienVictor

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Gustave. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

GustavGustavusGustineGusGustafGustieGusty

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Gustave was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Gustave has ranked as high as #939 nationally, which occurred in 1915, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Louisiana, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Gustave has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Gustave is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Gustave was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Gustave.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 10 10
2024 14 14
2022 13 13
2021 6 6
2020 13 13
2019 10 10
2018 13 13
2017 18 18
2016 7 7
2015 10 10
2014 13 13
2013 8 8
2012 8 8
2011 6 6
2010 17 17
2009 14 14
2008 12 12
2007 9 9
2006 9 9
2005 8 8
2004 15 15
2003 13 13
2002 18 18
2001 8 8
2000 15 15
1999 8 8
1998 11 11
1997 17 17
1996 10 10
1995 6 6
1994 14 14
1993 16 16
1992 11 11
1991 18 18
1990 9 9
1989 13 13
1988 10 10
1987 12 12
1986 10 10
1985 21 21
1984 9 9
1983 11 11
1982 21 21
1981 10 10
1980 23 23
1979 15 15
1978 11 11
1977 23 23
1976 16 16
1975 20 20
1974 14 14
1973 13 13
1972 8 8
1971 17 17
1970 15 15
1969 10 10
1968 14 14
1967 18 18
1966 28 28
1965 20 20
1964 17 17
1963 21 21
1962 24 24
1961 21 21
1960 27 27
1959 29 29
1958 32 32
1957 24 24
1956 28 28
1955 33 33
1954 29 29
1953 34 34
1952 30 30
1951 34 34
1950 37 37
1949 33 33
1948 38 38
1947 38 38
1946 41 41
1945 25 25
1944 23 23
1943 36 36
1942 35 35
1941 29 29
1940 46 46
1939 43 43
1938 40 40
1937 49 49
1936 46 46
1935 49 49
1934 48 48
1933 41 41
1932 61 61
1931 76 76
1930 71 71
1929 88 88
1928 94 94
1927 92 92
1926 95 95
1925 97 97
1924 95 95
1923 114 114
1922 115 115
1921 124 124
1920 144 144
1919 131 131
1918 147 147
1917 152 152
1916 132 132
1915 152 152
1914 121 121
1913 95 95
1912 86 86
1911 42 42
1910 33 33
1909 30 30
1908 29 29
1907 27 27
1906 17 17
1905 24 24
1904 42 42
1903 38 38
1902 33 33
1901 38 38
1900 30 30
1899 30 30
1898 41 41
1897 35 35
1896 39 39
1895 49 49
1894 44 44
1893 45 45
1892 57 57
1891 47 47
1890 37 37
1889 28 28
1888 52 52
1887 47 47
1886 38 38
1885 55 55
1884 58 58
1883 49 49
1882 57 57
1881 39 39
1880 49 49

Top States for Gustave (2002)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 6
100%