National Austin Day, celebrated on January 9, is not a special day that celebrates the city of Austin in Texas; it’s a day that honors people named Austin, which is a derivative of the name Augustus. On this day, we celebrate everyone from our neighbor down the street to the iconic fictional character, Austin Powers, yeah, baby. Know any Austins? Here is your chance to do something big to honor them and their legacy, no matter how young or old they may be.
History of National Austin Day
Austin began as an Anglo-Saxon surname before becoming a given name in the Middle Ages. Since then, Austin has grown in popularity, conjuring up images of Austin Abrams, Austin Butler, Austin John, and Austin Young. “Austin and Ally,” “Washington Square,” and “Austin Powers” have all used the name for fictional characters.
Austin is a vernacular form of Latin Augustinus, which is a derivative of Augustus. This was a prevalent personal name throughout Western Europe during the Middle Ages, thanks primarily to St. Augustine of Hippo, whose influence on Christianity is widely regarded as second only to that of St. Paul. The Austin canons, established in the 11th century, and the Austin friars, a mendicant order founded in the 13th century, were among the religious orders formed in his honor. St. Augustine of Canterbury, an Italian Benedictine monk known as the Apostle of the English, brought Christianity to England in 597 and founded the see of Canterbury, adding to the personal name’s popularity in England.
Austin’s popularity began to rise in the 1970s and 1980s, peaking from 1995 to1997 before rapidly declining. Nonetheless, it has never been as low as it was in the 1980s or earlier. Austin has appeared five times in the top 10 boys’ names in the United States. Famous Austins in history and pop culture include early twentieth-century English artist Austin Osman Spare, philosopher J.L. Austin, actor Austin Pendleton, professional basketball player Austin Rivers, musician Austin Mahone, and professional wrestler Austin Aries.
National Austin Day timeline
Austin becomes the official capital of the Republic of Texas before it is inducted into the United States, housing hundreds of families and businesses.
Austin Cornelius Dunham, a close acquaintance of Thomas Edison, becomes the first businessman to illuminate his offices with electricity.
Austin Ikin, a South African rower, wins the men's coxless Summer Olympics event.
Austin Dacey, an American philosopher and writer, launches “The Impossible Music Sessions,” a forum in Brooklyn.
National Austin Day FAQs
Why is Austin so popular?
It has a lot of great parks, river access, hike and bike trails, good food, great music, and collaborative tech culture that is welcoming and accepting of people who are not native to the area. Due to the University of Texas and other nearby universities, Austin also has a highly educated workforce.
Is Austin a basic name?
Austin is one of the most appealing names for babies, with a southwestern feel, place-name panache, and the solid foundation of being an Anglo-Saxon surname and a first name since medieval times. Austin reached the top 10 in the 1990s but has since fallen off the list.
Is Austin a biblical name?
Austin is a popular baby boy name in the Christian religion, with a Latin origin. The meaning of the Austin name is the same as that of August or Augustine: ‘exalted’ or ‘respected.’
National Austin Day Activities
Visit Austin
Austin is the capital city of Texas and is famous for its music and film scene, especially during certain parts of the year when the SXSW festival takes place there. It’s a city with a large artistic community and is world-famous for its food and fashion culture. So, plan your trip and immerse yourself in this vibrant American city.
List all of your favorite fictional characters named Austin
Austin is a relatively popular name for fictional characters, and most people can think of one or two within seconds of hearing the name. Here is your challenge, make a list of your favorite fictional characters named Austin so you can share it with your friends and nominate them to do the same activity.
Learn more about a famous Austin
There are many famous and noteworthy Austins throughout history and popular culture that you can seek out and learn more about. Some are politicians; others are musicians, artists, and sportspeople. Honor all Austins by learning more about the name and those important figures that shared the name.
5 Famous Austins
Austin Butler
Butler is a well-known American actor known for his roles as James "Wilke" Wilkerson in “Switched at Birth,” and Sebastian Kydd in “The Carrie Diaries.”
Austin Briggs
Briggs was a celebrated illustrator and cartoonist who moved to New York City as a teenager to begin his career.
Austin E. Cofrin
Cofrin was an American industrialist famous for founding the Fort Howard Paper Company in Wisconsin.
Austin Farley
Farley is a professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Nové Zámky in the Slovak Extraliga.
Austin Gallagher
Gallagher is a marine biologist, explorer, author, and social entrepreneur best known for his shark research and being the C.E.O. and founder of Beneath the Waves.
Why We Love National Austin Day
It indirectly honors a city
Every year when we celebrate National Austin Day, we can’t help but think of and celebrate the city of Austin in Texas. It just happens to share a name with many boys and girls around the world, and many people flock there each year to either start a new life or succeed in the music or food industries.
It shines a spotlight on a popular name for boys
Austin is predominantly a name for boys, and every year when we celebrate this special day, many new parents worldwide are inspired to name their baby boys Austin. We love how this day will continue to lead to new Austins joining the world and how it will forever serve as inspiration for expecting couples and even pet owners.
It reminds us of a family member or friend
Each time we celebrate a famous name, the chances are that more people will be partaking in a particular day as more and more people will know someone with the name being honored. And Austin is no different, as one of the most famous names in the United States and Australia. There are even 25 various destinations around the world named Austin.
National Austin Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 9 | Thursday |
| 2026 | January 9 | Friday |
| 2027 | January 9 | Saturday |
| 2028 | January 9 | Sunday |
| 2029 | January 9 | Tuesday |
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