Gustave

Updated: April 14, 2022 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Gustave is considered the French spelling of the name Gustav. It was fairly popular in the United States during the early 20th century, but it fell out of favor around 1940. We can see it making a comeback as a “grandpa name” — a name so outdated it's become beloved again. Gustave pairs well with most classic and trendy modern middle names.

Meaning of the name Gustave:

French: Staff of the gods or staff of the Goths
Scandanavian: Staff of the gods or staff of the Goths

Origin of the name Gustave:

Gustave is considered the French spelling of the Scandanavian name Gustav. The name is most likely derived from the Old Norse elements “Gutar,” which means “Goths,” and “stafr,” Which means “staff.” That would make the meaning “staff of the Goths.” It's also possible that it's derived from the element “goð ōs,” which means “gods.” That would change the meaning to “staff of the Gods.”

Symbolism of the name Gustave:

New parents may choose the name Gustave to honor their French heritage or passion for the French culture. Because of its meaning of either “staff of the gods” or “staff of the Goths,” new parents may find the name symbolic of strength or a tool or weapon needed to make their way through life.

Style of the name Gustave:

International, traditional

Gender of the name Gustave:

Gustave is a boy's baby name.

Pronunciation of the name Gustave:

GOO-stahv

Number of syllables in the name Gustave:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Gustave:

The baby name Gustave evokes images of someone who is creative and a great writer.

Alternative spellings for the name Gustave:

Gustav
Gustaf
Gustaav
Gustaaf

Nicknames for the name Gustave:

Gus
Tavi
Goose
Stave

Popularity of the name Gustave:

According to the Social Security Administration, Gustave was a top 1,000 baby name for boys in the United States up until 1940. It was most popular in 1901 when it ranked at number 280. It last ranked at number 942 in 1940.