Magnus

Scandinavian from Latin

"greatest"

Updated Mon Sep 02 2024

Magnus Origin and Meaning

The name Magnus is a boy's name of Latin origin meaning "greatest".

Magnus is a Latin name, literally meaning "greatest," that has a Scandinavian feel. It dates back to Charlemagne being called Carolus Magnus, or Charles the Great. Norwegian king Magnus I, named after Charlemagne, introduced it to his culture, and thus Magnus was the name of six early kings of Norway and four of Sweden. It is still a highly popular name in Denmark and Norway.

Magnus, a powerful name with a commanding presence, is one of the newly unearthed ancient artifacts. It was picked for their sons by Will Ferrell (whose wife Viveca Paulin is Swedish), Kristy Swanson, and Elizabeth Banks—likely credited for this name's jump into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013, as one of the year's fastest-rising names. Its fashionable s ending may keep it in popular use.

Magnus has made appearances as a vampire in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and as a character in Roald Dahl's Matilda. And for an extra ego boost, in Charles Dickens's The Pickwick Papers, there's the following dialogue:

"'Magnus is my name. It's rather a good name, I think, sir.'
'A very good name, indeed,' said Mr. Pickwick."

# 767 in the US

Magnus Rank in US Top 1000

# 76 on Nameberry

Magnus Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Magnus Popularity

767US2023
76Nameberry2024
387Future2028
351England2021
120Scotland2023
194Germany2016
16Norway2023
21Denmark2023
33Iceland2014

20 Names Similar to Magnus

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Magnus.

Famous People Named Magnus

Magnus JohnsonAmerican politician
Magnus the GoodKing of Norway and Denmark
Magnus IIKing of Norway
Magnus BarefootKing of Norway
Magnus IVVI, Kings of Norway
Magnus IIV, Kings of Sweden
Magnus Brostrup LandstadNorwegian poet
(Sven) Magnus Øen CarlsenNorwegian chess champion
Magnus HirschfeldGerman physician
Magnus SchevingIcelandic actor and TV producer
Magnús Ver MagnússonIcelandic strongman

Magnus NormanSwedish tennis player
Magnusring name of Nicholas "Nick" Aldis, English pro wrestler
Magnus Gabriel De la GardieSwedish statesman and general
Magnus Hubert Twisleton Wykeham FiennesEnglish composer
Magnus PaajarviSwedish hockey player
Pompey Magnus aka Pompey the GreatRoman consul and general
Ore Magnus Lawson aka Lil' OAmerican rapper
Magnus Wollterson of actor Sven Wollter
Magnus Jackson Diehlson of actor John Diehl and singer Julie Christensen
Magnus Paulin Ferrell (b. 2004)son of actor Will Ferrell

Magnus Hart Swanson Eisler (b. 2007)son of actress Kristy Swanson and skater Lloyd Eisler
Magnus Mitchell Handelman (b. 2012)son of actress Elizabeth Banks
Magnus Hamilton Miller (b. 2012)son of singer Jennifer Nettles

Magnus in Pop Culture

Magnus "Maggie"character in 2005 movie "Hitch"
Magnus Banewarlock in Cassandra Clare's shadowhunters chronicles
Magnus Martinssoncharacter in the Wallander series
Magnuscharacter in the Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice, Lestat's creator
"Magnus Powermouse" children's book by Dick King,Smith.
Dr. Magnus HoneyMiss Honey's father and Agatha Trunchbull's brother,in,law in book/movie "Matilda"
Dr. Helen Magnuscharacter in TV show "Sanctuary" (played by Amanda Tapping)
Magnusone of the dragon elders in game "Spyro the Dragon"
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgardbook series
Magnus the Roguecharacter in the game "Minecraft Story Mode"
Magnus Pórssoncharacter in the Netflix Original, "Sense8"

Magnus Christensencharacter in Danish TV drama "Borgen"
Magnus Burnsidescharacter in the podcast "The Adventure Zone"
Jonah Magnuscharacter in the podcast "The Magnus Archives"