What Does the Name Magnus Mean?
Magnus is a boy's name of Scandinavian (from Latin) origin meaning “Great.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Magnus |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Scandinavian (from Latin) |
| Meaning | Great |
| Variants | Magnús, Mauno, Mogens, Manus |
| Popularity | Long popular across Norway, Denmark, and Iceland; a historic royal name in Norway and Sweden. |
The meaning and origin of Magnus
The name Magnus means “Great” and has Scandinavian (from Latin) origins. Magnus is from the Latin magnus ('great'), introduced to Scandinavia via the name Magnus the Good, reportedly named after Charlemagne (Carolus Magnus). It became a popular Nordic royal name.
Variants and related names
Magnus is related to several other names you may recognize: Magnús, Mauno, Mogens, Manus. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Magnus?
Long popular across Norway, Denmark, and Iceland; a historic royal name in Norway and Sweden.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Magnus mean?+
The name Magnus means “Great” and is of Scandinavian (from Latin) origin.
What is the origin of the name Magnus?+
Magnus originates from Scandinavian (from Latin).
Is Magnus a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Magnus has trended in the US over time.
Magnus by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press