Meaning & History
Auguste 2 is a German variant of Augusta, the feminine form of the Roman name Augustus. The ultimate root, Augustus, is derived from Latin augeo meaning "to increase," and its meaning is "exalted, venerable". Originally a title given to Octavian, the first Roman emperor, it was officially bestowed by the Senate in 26 BC and later used by subsequent emperors. The name also carried weight in European royalty, borne by three kings of Poland (known as August in Polish).
Augusta entered Britain with the German House of Hanover when King George III gave it to his second daughter in 1768, establishing its use in English-speaking countries. As a German variant, Auguste 2 directly derived from Augusta, adopted in German-speaking regions, where it remains a distinct feminine name distinct from the French Auguste (which was common for men). Its variant forms include Gusta and Guusje in Dutch, Gussie in English, and Lithuanian Augustė and Gustė.