Austin is of English origin and means "great". It is derived from the Old English name Æðelmūþ, which consists of the elements æðel "noble" and mūþ "protection". Austin was popular among early saints and martyrs, including Saint Augustine of Hippo, a philosopher and theologian who lived in the 4th century. The name has been used in England since the Middle Ages but became more common after the Norman Conquest in 1066 when French forms like Austin were introduced.
The name Austin is associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the most famous is Saint Augustine of Canterbury, a Benedictine monk who was sent to England in the 7th century to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. He became the first Archbishop of Canterbury and is considered the founder of the English church.
In literature, Austin is the surname of the character Emma Woodhouse's suitor Mr. Knightley in Jane Austen's novel "Emma". In popular culture, Austin Powers is a fictional character and title of a series of comedic spy films created by Mike Myers.
The name Austin has been consistently popular in English-speaking countries over the past century. According to data from the U.S. Social Security Administration, it was among the top 50 most popular boys' names in the United States every year between 1900 and 2019. It ranked at its highest point of popularity in the mid-1980s when it peaked at number 14.
Some variations of the name Austin include Aston, Austyn, and Austen. These variants offer slightly different pronunciations and spellings but still convey similar meanings and origins.
Overall, Austin is a classic yet modern name with a rich history and meaningful origin. Its popularity can be attributed to its attractive sound, strong meaning, and notable bearers throughout history.
The name Autin experienced a slight decrease in popularity from 1987 to 1988, with 6 births registered in the former year and 5 in the latter. Overall, there were 11 babies named Autin born over these two years combined.