'augustus' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'augustus', where the root 'aug-' (from 'augere') meant 'to increase, to prosper' and the adjective carried the sense of 'venerable' or 'consecrated'.

'augustus' was adopted as an honorific: the Roman Senate granted Octavian the title 'Augustus' in 27 BC; the word then served both as a personal name (for that emperor) and as a title used by subsequent emperors.

Initially, it meant 'consecrated, venerable' in Latin; over time it came to be used specifically as the imperial title and as the name of Rome's first emperor, while retaining the sense of dignity and majesty in literary and scientific uses.