Justin is a popular male given name of Latin origin that means "just" or "fair". It comes from the Latin word "iustus", which translates to "just" or "righteous". The name Justin has been used throughout history, notably by several early Christian saints and theologians, including Saint Justin Martyr, an important figure in the second century.
The name gained significant popularity during the Middle Ages when it was used among European royalty. For instance, Justinian I, also known as Justinianus, was a Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565 AD who is famous for his law codes and architectural projects such as the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. His reign marked the beginning of the Justinian Dynasty.
In more recent times, the name Justin has been popular among celebrities and public figures, which may have contributed to its continued popularity today. However, it has consistently ranked within the top 1000 baby names for boys in the United States since the late 19th century, indicating that its appeal is not solely based on recent trends.
In terms of cultural significance, the name Justin is often associated with intelligence and leadership due to figures like Saint Justin Martyr, who was known for his philosophical debates and writings, and Emperor Justinian I, whose legal reforms are still studied today. Overall, Justin is a strong, classic name with a rich history that continues to appeal to parents seeking a meaningful and enduring name for their sons.
The name Justin has seen a significant rise in popularity over time, with a marked increase beginning around the late 1960s to early 1970s. From a low of single-digit births per year in the late 19th century, Justin became one of the top 5 most popular names for boys by the mid-1980s, reaching its peak popularity in 1987 with over 35,000 births. However, since then, its popularity has been declining steadily, with only around 2,000 births recorded in 2022. Overall, from 1880 to 2022, there have been a total of 787,097 births named Justin.