Boy name · Latin
Magnus
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: the greatMagnus is a boy's name that comes from Latin and means "the great". It is used in Scottish, German, Scandinavian and English.
- Meaning
- The great
- Origin
- Latin
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #765 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Magnus
As a boy's name, Magnus comes from Latin and means "the great". It is used in Scottish, German, Scandinavian and English.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Magnus on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Magnus on 8 lists.
“Latin for great, a name worn by Viking kings”
From Boy dog names, strong male dog names
“Great; Latin. Big name for the middle spot”
From Boy middle names, strong boy middle names
“The great; Latin. Norway's kings took it from Charlemagne's title”
From Medieval names and surnames, medieval Norse and Scandinavian names
“Great; Latin. Title of Pompey the Great”
From Roman names, roman cognomina (nicknames that stuck)
“Latin for great; the 12th-century earl who became Orkney's patron saint.”
From Scottish boy names, norse names of the Highlands and Islands
“The great; Latin, borne by kings of Norway”
From Strong boy names, powerful boy names for kings and leaders
“Latin for great, and it truly is”
From Tyranitar nicknames, boy Tyranitar nicknames
“Latin for great, long favored by Nordic kings”
From Vampire names, male vampire names
How popular is Magnus?
- US rank in 2025
- #765
- 337 babies, 197 per million boys
- Best rank
- #719 in 2017
- Most babies: 354 in 2021
- Babies since 1890
- At least 6,172
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 18 per million |
| 1900s | 21 per million |
| 1910s | 18 per million |
| 1920s | 12 per million |
| 1930s | 6 per million |
| 1940s | 2 per million |
| 1950s | 2 per million |
| 1960s | 1 per million |
| 1970s | 2 per million |
| 1980s | 4 per million |
| 1990s | 11 per million |
| 2000s | 52 per million |
| 2010s | 127 per million |
| 2020s | 192 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #796 | #719 | #781 | #781 | #801 | #730 | #774 | #763 | #747 | #765 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Names spelled like Magnus
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- MarcusOf Mars (Latin, boy)
- MagnarStrength and warrior (Old Norse, boy)
- MagniStrength, might (Old Norse, boy)
- MarinusOf the sea (Latin, boy)
- MarkusGerman form of Marcus (Latin, boy)
- MateusGift of God (Hebrew, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- AugustaGreat, venerable (Latin, girl)
- IrmaWhole, great (Germanic, girl)
- AugustGreat, venerable (Latin, unisex)
- AugustinVenerable, great (Latin, boy)
- GrantGreat, large (Old French, boy)
- GusGreat, venerable (Latin, boy)
- ImeldaGreat battle (Germanic, girl)
- KabirGreat (Arabic, boy)
- MoragGreat one (Scottish Gaelic, girl)
- RhiannonGreat queen (Welsh, girl)
Middle names for Magnus
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Latin
- LeoA lion (Latin, boy)
- MaxThe greatest (Latin, boy)
- AdrianFrom Hadria (Latin, boy)
- FelixLucky, happy (Latin, boy)
- MartinDedicated to Mars (Latin, boy)
- OliverOlive tree (Latin, boy)
- MarcoOf Mars (Latin, boy)
- PatrickNobleman, patrician (Latin, boy)
- PaulSmall, humble (Latin, boy)
- VictorThe conqueror (Latin, boy)
Magnus: common questions
What does the name Magnus mean?
Magnus comes from Latin and means "the great".
Is Magnus a boy or girl name?
Magnus is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Magnus come from?
Magnus comes from Latin and means "the great". Today it is used in Scottish, German, Scandinavian and English.
How popular is the name Magnus?
Magnus ranked #765 in the US in 2025, with 337 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What names are similar to Magnus?
Names spelled like Magnus include Marcus, Magnar, Magni, Marinus and Markus.
What middle names go with Magnus?
Middle names that flow well with Magnus include Basil, Heath, Lance, Lee and Levi. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.