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Magnus as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Magnus

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The baby name Magnus is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈmæɡnəs/ (MAG-nəs).

Magnus is Latin in Origin.

Gender: Male
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: /ˈmæɡnəs/ (MAG-nəs)

What is the meaning of the name Magnus ?

The baby name Magnus is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈmæɡnəs/ (MAG-nəs).

Magnus is Latin in Origin.

Magnus derives from the Latin adjective magnus, meaning “great” or “mighty.” In Rome it functioned as an honorific cognomen - think Pompeius Magnus - and later as a learned epithet in the Middle Ages, as with the philosopher-theologian Albertus Magnus. Veneration of several saints named Magnus and the prestige of Carolus Magnus (Charlemagne, “Charles the Great”) helped transmit the name across Christendom.

From the 11th century it became strongly established in Scandinavia, borne by multiple medieval kings of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and by St Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney, whose cult spread the name to the North Atlantic world. Modern use remains steady in Germanic and Nordic countries and has risen in the English-speaking world for its crisp, classical gravitas. Variants and related forms include Magnús (Icelandic), Måns (Swedish), Mogens (Danish), Maghnus and Manus (Irish/Scottish), and the feminine Magna; Gus appears as a casual nickname.

Magnus has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Magnus

Magnús Scheving Athlete · Born 1964 · Iceland Magnús Scheving is an Icelandic writer, producer, actor, entrepreneur, and former athlete, best known for creating the children's TV show LazyTown. He also produced and directed the series and starred in it as Sportacus. Magnus Maximus Politician · Born 335 · Ancient Rome Magnus Maximus is best known as a Roman usurper who became emperor in the Western Roman Empire from 383 to 388. He seized power from Emperor Gratian and ruled until his defeat and death in 388. Magnus the Good Royal · Born 1024 · Norway Magnus the Good was a medieval king best known for ruling Norway from 1035 and Denmark from 1042 until his death in 1047. Born Magnus Olafsson around 1024, he was also known as Magnús góði in Old Norse and is remembered as an important Scandinavian ruler of the 11th century.
Magnus Barefoot Royal · Born 1073 · Norway Magnus Barefoot, born Magnus III Olafsson, is best known as the King of Norway from 1093 to 1103. He became famous for his aggressive military campaigns, especially in Ireland and Britain, where he expanded Norwegian rule over the Kingdom of the Isles and Dublin. Magnus VI of Norway Royal · Born 1238 · Norway Magnus VI of Norway, also known as Magnus the Law-mender, was a king who ruled Norway from 1263 to 1280. He is most famous for reforming the legal system and introducing the national law code, which laid the foundation for modern Norwegian law. His reign marked a period of peace and consolidation in Norway's history. Magnus I of Sweden Royal · Born 1106 · Kingdom of Denmark Magnus I of Sweden, also known as Magnus the Strong, was a notable Scandinavian royal figure in the 12th century. He was King of Sweden and Denmark, known for his efforts to consolidate power in the region during a time of political fragmentation.

Celebrity babies named Magnus

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Magnus Nolan Emma Thomas film producer Christopher Nolan film director
Magnus Ferrell Will Ferrell television actor

Magnus – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Germany Boys 2025 #1 423
Ireland Boys 2019 #1 764
Norway Boys 2025 #16 252 444
NA 0 #33 1 2,537
HT Boys 0 #34 1 903
EE 0 #37 1 1,051
Iceland Boys 0 #39 36 131
MT 0 #43 1 1,767
DK Boys 0 #64 871 7,401
JP 0 #77 1 4,057
CN 0 #86 1 3,857
EE Boys 0 #92 34 2,087
QA 0 #104 3 7,011
DK 0 #121 91 5,198
OM 0 #121 1 6,215
CY Boys 0 #131 1 3,473
Switzerland Boys 2024 #132 6 1,769
MU 0 #137 1 3,613
BN Boys 0 #139 1 6,332
Belgium Boys 2024 #143 46 401
Sweden Boys 2022 #168 15 1,509
HU Boys 0 #174 1 3,954
MT Boys 0 #177 3 4,064
AE 0 #185 3 10,220
NA Boys 0 #206 30 6,830
LU Boys 0 #212 9 4,970
PL 0 #212 1 2,600
MO Boys 0 #233 2 5,842
Finland Boys 0 #244 205 2,041
NG 0 #244 21 5,926
GH 0 #246 3 5,396
GR Girls 0 #249 1 6,293
Canada Boys 2024 #254 53 2,588
TW Boys 0 #255 2 7,111
HR Boys 0 #259 1 3,997
JM Boys 0 #262 11 6,876
Finland Boys 2026 #264 1,062 3,552
Finland 0 #273 35 830
SG 0 #280 3 11,010
KZ Boys 0 #294 3 6,578
AL Boys 0 #303 1 5,122
CZ Boys 0 #303 3 6,530
JP Boys 0 #303 1 7,909
SA 0 #312 1 10,560
GH Boys 0 #326 20 8,138
PL Boys 0 #326 10 6,459
DK Girls 0 #327 3 7,429
PE 0 #328 2 6,350
CN Boys 0 #330 2 9,639
GT 0 #338 1 5,948
HK 0 #352 6 8,483
MY 0 #352 3 12,352
BR 0 #359 2 5,969
CN Girls 0 #359 1 8,829
MU Boys 0 #369 1 8,477
France Boys 2021 #375 13 2,865
PT Boys 0 #378 4 7,951
PH Boys 0 #400 9 11,440
Germany 0 #405 33 2,542
UY Boys 0 #413 1 5,922
Austria Boys 0 #416 27 2,180
OM Girls 0 #424 1 15,987
ZA 0 #435 13 14,421
AR Boys 0 #478 6 7,628
RU Boys 0 #494 12 12,621
PA Boys 0 #502 4 9,305
HK Boys 0 #508 20 12,905
CR Boys 0 #509 2 10,188
NG Boys 0 #527 572 16,906
CM Boys 0 #529 22 12,054
UY Girls 0 #536 1 6,731
LY 0 #559 1 12,703
PS Boys 0 #561 1 10,655
IR Boys 0 #564 2 10,162
United States Boys 2024 #575 340 7,044
Germany Boys 0 #584 419 5,697
BD Boys 0 #603 3 10,045
BO Boys 0 #617 6 9,244
IL Boys 0 #625 1 10,983
SG Girls 0 #632 1 18,916
BR Boys 0 #643 110 12,213
SG Boys 0 #671 27 17,960
LB 0 #690 1 13,263
CL Boys 0 #694 7 13,390
IT 0 #705 10 4,183
QA Boys 0 #742 2 18,093
NG Girls 0 #768 19 15,093
KW Boys 0 #806 1 18,755
TN 0 #864 2 13,765
PE Boys 0 #865 14 14,506
Spain Boys 0 #898 33 5,610
CO Boys 0 #904 17 15,656
NL Boys 0 #907 45 5,873
OM Boys 0 #913 6 17,948
EG Boys 0 #925 1 15,035
MX Boys 0 #968 15 16,355
BR Girls 0 #989 4 12,708
PE Girls 0 #1,010 1 14,861
IN Boys 0 #1,036 4 16,750
AE Boys 0 #1,069 24 22,615
ZA Boys 0 #1,081 98 25,619
MY Boys 0 #1,094 18 25,439
CO Girls 0 #1,149 4 16,140
MA 0 #1,196 4 20,986
DZ 0 #1,232 3 20,130
ZA Girls 0 #1,234 3 25,928
TR 0 #1,251 4 19,440
MX Girls 0 #1,266 2 17,781
IT Boys 0 #1,418 54 10,046
SA Boys 0 #1,686 6 28,008

Magnus is popular in 73 countries — most recent births per country:

Norway
Scotland, United Kingdom
Canada
Switzerland
Sweden

Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!

People also ask about Magnus

Magnus is predominantly a boy's name.
Magnus is a 2 syllable name, pronounced /ˈmæɡnəs/ (MAG-nəs).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Magnús (Icelandic/Faroese/Old Norse), Magni (Old Norse), Magne (Norwegian) and Magnusson (patronymic variant).
Yes, very popular — Magnus ranked #1 in Germany in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 11 countries.
Magnus ranks highest in Germany (#1 in 2025).
Magnus's popularity is declining. It moved from #8 in 2015 to #16 in 2025 in Norway.
Yes — 10 notable people named Magnus are in our database, including Magnús Scheving (Athlete), Magnus Maximus (Politician), Magnus the Good (Royal).
Yes — at least 2 celebrity couples have chosen Magnus for their child, including Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan.