Gustav

Gustav is a masculine given name of Germanic origin that has been widely used in Scandinavia and Central Europe. The name has appeared in royal lineages and literature since the Middle Ages, with several variants including Gustaf and Gustave. In Sweden and nearby regions, it has been especially durable, with numerous rulers and leaders bearing the name.

In Sweden, several kings bore the name Gustav, including Gustav I Vasa (reigned 1523–1560), Gustav II Adolf (reigned 1611–1632), Gustav III (reigned 1771–1792), Gustav IV Adolf (reigned 1792–1809), Gustav V (reigned 1907–1950), and Gustav VI Adolf (reigned 1950–1973).

Notable individuals named Gustav include painter Gustav Klimt (1862–1918), composer Gustav Mahler (1860–1911), composer Gustav Holst (1874–1934), physicists Gustav Kirchhoff (1824–1887) and Gustav Hertz (1887–1975), and statesman Gustav Stresemann (1878–1929).

The name also appears in modern times as the designation of weather events and weapons, such as Hurricane Gustav (2008) and the Schwerer Gustav, a German WWII railway gun nicknamed Gustav.

Variants include Gustaf, Gustave, and the Latinized Gustavus; related names appear in many languages.