
The short answer
Autumn is a feminine English name taken directly from the name of the season, which Behind the Name traces "ultimately from Latin autumnus". Unlike many word-names it has a short documented history as a given name: the entry says it "has been in general use since the 1960s". It is pronounced AW-təm, with a silent final n. The French form of the word, Automne, is the only related name Behind the Name lists. In the United States, Autumn ranked #88 for girls in 2025, making it one of the more popular season names alongside Summer and Winter.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name gives the whole derivation in one line: "From the name of the season, ultimately from Latin autumnus." It lists autumnus as the root and adds that the name "has been in general use since the 1960s". No older use as a personal name is mentioned, and no variants or diminutives are listed apart from the French Automne under other languages.
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Latin | autumnus | autumn (the season) |
| English | autumn | the season |
Popularity
Autumn ranked #88 for girls in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration). Behind the Name's own US figure for 2025 is the same, #88, and it dates general use of the name to the 1960s.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #88 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: None documented.
Variants: None documented.
Related names: Automne
What the name feels like
Autumn is a nature name with a warm, slightly wistful colour to it: harvest, falling leaves, the turn of the year. Its two soft syllables and silent final n make it gentle to say, and because it is a plain English word it needs no explanation, which is part of why it has lasted better than many 1960s coinages.
Style tags: nature name, season name, word name, two syllables, modern
Editorial interpretation: The style summary is editorial opinion. Behind the Name lists no nicknames or spelling variants for Autumn; the lists are left empty rather than filled with guesses. The comparison with other 1960s names is interpretation.
If you like this name
Other season and nature names for girls, and names that share Autumn's sound.
Similar by meaning
Similar by style
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Frequently asked questions
What does the name Autumn mean?
Autumn means the season of autumn. It comes from the English word, which Behind the Name traces ultimately to Latin autumnus.
When did Autumn become a name?
Behind the Name says Autumn has been in general use as a given name since the 1960s.
Is Autumn a popular name?
Yes. Autumn ranked #88 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Autumn — supports etymology, pronunciation, usage since the 1960s.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.