Magnus
Magnus is a boys' name of Latin origin meaning “great.” It ranked #763 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Magnus?
MAG-nus
where does the name Magnus come from?
The Latin word for great, and also a Latinization of the Old Norse Magnús and Magni, which were themselves influenced by it.
Magnus is the Latin word for 'great,' first used as a cognomen by the Romans and later adopted widely across Scandinavia after Charlemagne (Carolus Magnus). Seven Norwegian kings bore the name. Chess champion Magnus Carlsen has given it modern intellectual associations. It is a name of supreme confidence and simplicity.
how popular is this name?
Magnus has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 16 years since 1890, and fell outside it for 120. It peaked at #719 in 2017, and ranked #763 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #763 |
| 2024 | #747 |
| 2023 | #763 |
| 2022 | #773 |
| 2021 | #729 |
| 2020 | #800 |
| 2019 | #779 |
| 2018 | #780 |
| 2017 | #719 |
| 2016 | #796 |
| 1890 | #994 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Magnus fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Magnus
An eleventh-century king of Norway took the name from the title of Carolus Magnus, Charlemagne, and it reached Scotland in medieval times.
who are famous people named Magnus?
- Magnus Carlsen (Norwegian chess grandmaster and former World Champion)
- Magnus Magnusson (Icelandic-British TV presenter, Mastermind)
what are the nicknames and variants of Magnus?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Magnus?
what names go well with Magnus?
Sibling names that share Magnus's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Magnus
What does the name Magnus mean?
Magnus means “great”.
What is the origin of the name Magnus?
Magnus comes from the Latin naming tradition. Related forms include Magnús and Magni.
How popular is the name Magnus?
Magnus ranked #763 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2017, at #719, and it has spent 16 years in the top 1,000 since 1890.
Is Magnus a boy or girl name?
Magnus is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Magnus?
Magnus is pronounced MAG-nus, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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