Gustaf Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Gustaf has Scandinavian roots and means 'staff of the Goths.' It evolved from the Old Norse Gustafr and has historical significance due to its association with Swedish royalty. The name is perceived as strong and traditional, with variants like Gustav and Gustavo. It does not have biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Gustaf"
Pronunciation
/ˈɡʊstɑf/
Origin
Scandinavian
Etymology
The name Gustaf is derived from the Old Norse name Gustafr, which means 'staff of the Goths' or 'Goth support.' It combines the elements 'gautr,' referring to the Goths, and 'stafr,' meaning staff or support.
Meaning
staff of the Goths; support
Language Evolution
Gustafr (Old Norse), Gustaf (Modern Scandinavian), Gustav (Modern German and other variants)
Historical Usage
The name Gustaf became popular in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries during the Middle Ages and has been borne by several Swedish kings, contributing to its enduring popularity.
Variants & Derivatives
Gustav, Gustavo, Gustafsson (surname)
Modern Popularity & Image
Gustaf is currently perceived as a traditional and strong name, often associated with Scandinavian heritage and royalty.
Famous People
Gustaf III of Sweden, Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden, Gustaf Skarsgård (actor)
📊 Gustaf Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Gustaf Name Visualizations
✨ Gustaf Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 25 peak births in 1917
Geographic Spread
Popular across 5 US states, with strongest presence in Massachusetts
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Gustaf"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Gustaf"
"Gustaf" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1791st of 7545 | 296 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3834th of 6773 | 65 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4660th of 7552 | 43 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8050th of 10718 | 17 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 8236th of 16616 | 54 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 9358th of 24088 | 97 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 12762nd of 23106 | 43 |
Regional Popularity of "Gustaf" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
72.32% 1024th/1416 |
73.60% 1015th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
78.86% 1227th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Gustaf" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Gustaf"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Gustaf" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Gustaf" in the United States
The name Gustaf is most popular in Massachusetts, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Gustaf has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast. Across generations, 'Gustaf' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1791st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3834th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4660th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 8050th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8236th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 9358th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 12762nd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Gustaf' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.