Boy name · Latin
Severin
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: stern, strictSeverin is a boy's name that comes from Latin and means "stern, strict". It is used in German, French and Scandinavian.
- Meaning
- Stern, strict
- Origin
- Latin
- Gender
- Boy
- Say it
- ZAY-veh-reen (German)
Meaning and origin of Severin
As a boy's name, Severin comes from Latin and means "stern, strict". It is used in German, French and Scandinavian.
In German, say ZAY-veh-reen. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Severin on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Severin on 3 lists.
“After a monk who served the people of the Danube”
From Priest names, cool priest names
“Stern, strict; Latin severus. Say ZAY-veh-reen”
From German boy names, biblical and saints' names in German
“Latin for stern; cool, aloof and courtly”
From Vampire names, male vampire names
How popular is Severin?
- US rank in 2025
- #6,089
- 15 babies, 9 per million boys
- Best rank
- #1,562 in 1908
- Most babies: 28 in 2014
- Babies since 1908
- At least 914
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 4 per million |
| 1910s | 10 per million |
| 1920s | 6 per million |
| 1930s | 3 per million |
| 1940s | 1 per million |
| 1950s | 0 per million |
| 1960s | 1 per million |
| 1970s | 3 per million |
| 1980s | 4 per million |
| 1990s | 5 per million |
| 2000s | 10 per million |
| 2010s | 11 per million |
| 2020s | 8 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #8,066 | #5,490 | #6,283 | #6,356 | #5,005 | #6,615 | #7,186 | #7,654 | #6,141 | #6,089 |
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.
Other forms of Severin
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- SeverinoStern (Latin, boy)
Names spelled like Severin
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- SaverioNew house (Basque, boy)
- SeveroStern, serious (Latin, boy)
- SveinBoy, young man (Old Norse, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- SorenStern (Latin, boy)
- SeverinaStern (Latin, girl)
- SeverineStern, severe (Latin, girl)
- SørenStern (Latin, boy)
- YavuzStern, grim (Turkish, boy)
Middle names for Severin
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
Severin: common questions
What does the name Severin mean?
Severin comes from Latin and means "stern, strict".
Is Severin a boy or girl name?
Severin is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Severin come from?
Severin comes from Latin and means "stern, strict". Today it is used in German, French and Scandinavian.
How do you pronounce Severin?
In German, say ZAY-veh-reen. Pronunciation can vary between languages and regions.
How popular is the name Severin?
Severin ranked #6,089 in the US in 2025, with 15 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Severin?
Forms of Severin with the same meaning and origin include Severino (Italian).
What middle names go with Severin?
Middle names that flow well with Severin include Alton, Asher, Beau, Clark and Dale. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.