Magnus

At a Glance

Meaning

Great (Latin 'magnus'), adopted as a name via Charlemagne's title

Origin

Latin (adopted via Scandinavian/Scottish royal usage)

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

MAG-nusListen

Magnus is a boy's name pronounced MAG-nus (/ˈmæɡnəs/) that comes from Latin, where it simply means great. It became a given name through Charlemagne's title and later carried on through Scandinavian and Scottish royal use, and today it still reads as a fresh, present-day pick rather than an old-fashioned one. It carries a confident, adventurous feel — the kind of name built for a kid who leads the way and explores rather than blends in.

Meaning & Origin of Magnus

Meaning: Great (Latin 'magnus'), adopted as a name via Charlemagne's title.

Origin: Latin (adopted via Scandinavian/Scottish royal usage).

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Magnus

Popularity of Magnus

Magnus reached its highest popularity in 2017, ranking #719 with 335 baby boys given the name. By 2024 it sat at #749, with 340 boys given the name — about the same number of families choosing it, just a few years apart.

Names Like Magnus

These names share Magnus’s style, era or origin.

• Aries
• Ameer
• Atticus
• Callan
• Carrick
• Cashel

FAQ

What does the name Magnus mean?

Great (Latin ‘magnus’), adopted as a name via Charlemagne’s title. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Magnus?

Magnus is pronounced MAG-nus (IPA: /ˈmæɡnəs/).

Is Magnus a popular name right now?

Magnus is near its all-time peak (#719 in 2017), ranked #749 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1890–2024.)

Make Magnus Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Magnus, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.