August Name Days

Our name for August derives from the Roman name for the month -- Augustus. Originally, the month was named Sextilis, as it was their sixth month. It was renamed in 8 BC in honour of emperor Augustus. Having renamed Quintilis (July) after his predecessor, Julius Caesar, he chose Sextilis for himself, it is said, because it was a month when he had won many victories. Previously known as Octavian, Augustus is a name that the emperor assumed for himself in 27 BC. It was a clever political move on his part. Not wanting to associate himself with the previous, and unpopular, kings of Rome -- something the Roman republicans were highly suspicious of -- he instead chose a religious term that translates roughly as "illustrious one", "venerable" and "majestic". It was adopted by succeeding emperors, eventually becoming more of a title than a name.

• Nameday
• Male Names
• Female Names

Name Day Calendar