Is Gustaf a boy's or girl's name?

Gustaf is primarily a boy's name.

When was Gustaf most popular?

Gustaf reached its peak popularity in 1917 with 25 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Gustaf?

Gustaf is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 747 babies in the U.S. since 1880. Its peak was in 1917.

Gustaf

An uncommon Swedish pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's nameSwedishNot ranked recently

Rare name

Meaning & Origin

A male given name from Swedish.

Gustaf is a boy's baby name of Swedish origin, the Swedish form of Gustav, from the Old Norse Gautr (a Goth, or possibly from goð, meaning "God") combined with stafr (staff, support) — meaning 'staff of the Goths' or 'God's staff.' Multiple Swedish kings have borne this name.

Gustaf carries the royal heritage of Swedish monarchy — from Gustav Vasa who founded modern Sweden in the sixteenth century to King Carl XVI Gustaf who reigns today. The name is synonymous with Swedish royal identity and Nordic strength.

Compare Gustaf with another name

Popularity Over Time

Gustaf has 90+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Gustaf
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	13	#10936	▼
2010s	50	#10084	▼
2000s	61	#10008	▲
1990s	43	#7383	▲
1980s	32	#6137	▲
1970s	12	#4949	▲
1960s	10	#4292	▼
1950s	33	#3879	▲
1940s	6	#3290	▼
1930s	35	#3487	▼
1920s	116	#2720	▼
1910s	149	#1629	▲
1900s	55	#1092	▼
1890s	66	#870	—
1880s	66	#806	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(90 years, 1880–2023)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Gustaf
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2023	5	#12871	-3 (-37.5%)
2020	8	#9001	+2 (33.3%)
2018	6	#11266	-4 (-40.0%)
2017	10	#7779	+4 (66.7%)
2015	6	#11164	-2 (-25.0%)
2014	8	#9067	+2 (33.3%)
2012	6	#11283	-1 (-14.3%)
2011	7	#9993	0
2010	7	#10034	+1 (16.7%)
2009	6	#11480	-4 (-40.0%)
2008	10	#7887	-1 (-9.1%)
2007	11	#7265	+5 (83.3%)
2005	6	#10565	0
2004	6	#10425	+1 (20.0%)
2003	5	#11505	-2 (-28.6%)
2002	7	#8778	+2 (40.0%)
2001	5	#11175	0
2000	5	#10995	-2 (-28.6%)
1998	7	#7878	-2 (-22.2%)
1997	9	#6273	+4 (80.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2023) · Methodology