August comes from the Latin augustus, meaning majestic or revered, a title once reserved for Roman emperors before it settled into ordinary use as a given name. It carries formality and dignity built directly into its root, rather than qualities attached to it only through later association.
He must also have a certain Epoch or Radix from whence to derive, first his greater judgment, secondly his lesser judgment, when he intends a serious discourse. - William Lilly (1602.-1681.)