Gustaf: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Gustaf

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1917

25 babies

All-time total

747

#6,167 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Gustaf popularity over time

747 babies have been named Gustaf since 1880, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	66	7	–	#584
1890s	66	7	0%	#696
1900s	55	6	-17%	#867
1910s	149	15	+171%	#1,386
1920s	116	12	-22%	#1,939
1930s	35	4	-70%	#2,118
1940s	6	1	-83%	#3,290
1950s	33	3	+450%	#3,335
1960s	10	1	-70%	#4,284
1970s	12	1	+20%	#4,725
1980s	32	3	+167%	#4,605
1990s	43	4	+34%	#6,273
2000s	61	6	+42%	#7,265
2010s	50	5	-18%	#7,783
2020s (to 2025)	13	2	-57%	#9,011

The story of Gustaf

Gustaf is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1880, 747 American babies have been named Gustaf. Its peak came in 1917, when 25 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1910s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Gustaf stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Gustaf?

The median living Gustaf is about 27 years old; half are between 15 and 40. An estimated 200 people named Gustaf are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Gustaf year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–
2024	–	–
2023	5	#12,878
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	8	#9,011
2019	–	–
2018	6	#11,268
2017	10	#7,783
2016	–	–
2015	6	#11,166
2014	8	#9,067
2013	–	–
2012	6	#11,284
2011	7	#9,995
2010	7	#10,036
2009	6	#11,480
2008	10	#7,888
2007	11	#7,265
2006	–	–
2005	6	#10,565
2004	6	#10,426
2003	5	#11,505
2002	7	#8,780
2001	5	#11,175
2000	5	#10,996
1995	8	#6,605
1990	–	–
1985	5	#6,924
1980	5	#6,618
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	14	#2,118
1925	10	#2,830
1920	13	#2,382
1915	24	#1,386
1910	–	–
1905	9	#867
1900	–	–
1895	6	#1,020
1890	9	#696
1885	5	#1,003
1880	6	#859

Famous people named Gustaf

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Gustaf Skarsgård Swedish actor (born 1980) Contemporary
2 Gustaf V of Sweden King of Sweden from 1907 to 1950 1858–1950 · 19th century
3 Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden King of Sweden from 1950 to 1973 1882–1973 · 19th century
4 Gustaf Gründgens German actor (1899 – 1963) 19th century
5 Gustaf Dalén Swedish engineer and inventor (1869–1937) 19th century
6 Gustaf de Laval Swedish engineer and inventor (1845–1913) 19th century
7 Gustaf Kossinna German philologist and archaeologist (1858–1931) 19th century
8 Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt Finnish-Swedish-Russian courtier (1757–1814) 18th century
9 Gustaf Fröding Swedish poet and writer (1860–1911) 19th century
10 Gustaf Molander Swedish film director (1888–1973) 19th century
11 Gustaf John Ramstedt Finnish diplomat, orientalist and linguist (1873–1950) 19th century
12 Gustaf Åkerhielm Swedish politician, baron and landowner 1833–1900 · 19th century
13 Gustaf Dyrssen Swedish officer and sportsman 1891–1981 · 19th century
14 Gustaf Söderström Swedish athlete (1865–1958) 19th century
15 Gustaf Lindblom Athletics competitor 1891–1960 · 19th century

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Gustaf, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Gustaf?

The median living Gustaf is about 27 years old. Half of all living Gustafs are between 15 and 40 years old.

How many people named Gustaf are alive today?

An estimated 200 people named Gustaf are alive in the United States, based on 747 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Gustaf mean?

A male given name from Swedish.

How popular is the name Gustaf in 2025?

Gustaf did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Gustaf?

747 babies have been named Gustaf in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Gustaf most popular?

Gustaf peaked in 1917, when 25 newborns received the name.

Is Gustaf a boy or girl name?

Gustaf is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Gustaf rising or falling?

Gustaf is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Gustaf?

Well-known people named Gustaf include Gustaf Skarsgård (actor), Gustaf V of Sweden (politician), Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden (politician).

Names like Gustaf

Names that sound and feel close to Gustaf: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Gustaf with similar names → More names starting with G →