Gustaf

Gustaf is a masculine given name used primarily in Sweden and other Nordic countries. It is the Swedish spelling of Gustav, one of the traditional Germanic names that has appeared in various forms across Europe. In Sweden, Gustaf has been borne by several rulers and notable figures, giving the name a classic, royal association.

Notable people named Gustaf include Swedish royalty such as Gustaf III (1746–1792), who reigned from 1771 to 1792; Gustaf V (1858–1950), who reigned from 1907 to 1950; and Gustaf VI Adolf (1882–1973), who reigned from 1950 to 1973. The Finnish military leader and statesman Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim (1867–1951) also demonstrates the name’s use in Nordic contexts, though his primary English rendering often uses his middle name.

In modern usage, Gustaf remains found in Sweden and among Swedish-speaking communities in Finland; outside these contexts, the form Gustav is more common. Variants and related forms include Gustav, Gustave, and Gustavo.