This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance: Name: Magnus – Meaning: great (Latin 'magnus'), adopted as a name via Charlemagne's title – Origin: Latin (adopted via Scandinavian/Scottish royal usage) – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: MAG-nus
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
Phonetic: MAG-nus IPA: /ˈmæɡnəs/
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.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name 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.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Magnus mean?
Great (latin ‘magnus’), adopted as a name via charlemagne’s title. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Magnus)
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.)
📊 How popular is Magnus? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!
🎨 Get Printable Name Art for Magnus
Beautiful nursery-ready 8×10" print with name & meaning
Preview & Download →More Baby Name Inspiration
📱 The Baby Names app is here
Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →
