The Meaning of the Name Austen
Austen is a name of English origin, derived from the Olde English pre 7th century personal name “Aethelstan”. The name is composed of two elements: “aethel”, meaning noble, and “stan”, meaning stone. It was popularized by the 18th century novelist Jane Austen.
History and Origin
The name Austen has its roots in Olde English, which was spoken in England before the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Aethelstan was popular among Anglo-Saxon royalty and nobility during this period. It was also used as a given name for commoners. The popularity of the name declined after the Norman Conquest, but it remained in use until the 19th century.
The modern form of the name, Austen, first appeared in the 18th century. It is believed to have been derived from Aethelstan or a similar variant. The popularity of the name increased significantly in the 19th century due to its association with the famous novelist Jane Austen.
Popularity
Austen is not a particularly common name today. According to data from the United States Social Security Administration, it ranked at number 4,845 in 2019. However, it has seen an increase in popularity since 2000 when it ranked at number 6,919.
In England and Wales, Austen ranked at number 2,717 in 2019. This is an increase from 2000 when it ranked at number 3,637.
Famous People Named Austen
The most famous person named Austen is undoubtedly Jane Austen (1775-1817), one of the most beloved authors in English literature. Her novels such as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility are still widely read today.
Other notable people named Austen include:
- Austen Lane, former American football player
- Austen Tayshus, Australian comedian and actor
- Austen Rydell, American actor and producer
