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Home › Baby Names Directory › Severus

Severus

♂ Boy

Pronounced seh-VEER-us /sɛˈvir.əs/Medium

Meaning: From Latin severus, 'stern; severe; serious; strict' — a Roman family name; made known by the Harry Potter character Severus Snape; we note the literary useLow

In 30 seconds: Stern; severe; serious: Severus is Latin. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'seh-VEER-us').
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Origin LowLatin
MeaningFrom Latin severus, 'stern; severe; serious; strict' — a Roman family name; made known by the Harry Potter character Severus Snape; we note the literary use
U.S. rank (2025)#8796 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births9 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 167

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201620112025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Severus comes from Latin severus, 'stern; severe; serious; strict' (a Roman family name; Emperor Septimius Severus; several saints). Made known by the Harry Potter character Severus Snape (we note the literary use). A crisp, classic name (said 'seh-VEER-us').

In the U.S. it registers thinly. Rare, stern-and-serious at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Severus means 'stern; severe; serious; strict' in Latin (a Roman family name; Emperor Septimius Severus) — made known by the Harry Potter character Severus Snape — crisp and classic (we note the literary use; said 'seh-VEER-us').
Overall data confidence 42%
References — Severus — literary use noted

Variations

SeveroSeverinSeveriano

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Severus…

Severin— a fellow Sever- boys' name
Cassius— a sound-neighbor -us Latin boys' name
Atticus— a companion classical Latin boys' name
Maximus— a fellow Latin choice
Marcellus— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Severus

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Severus mean?

Severus is Latin for 'stern; severe; serious; strict' — a Roman family name. We note the Harry Potter use.

How do you pronounce Severus?

It's said seh-VEER-us /sɛˈvir.əs/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Severus a boy or girl name?

Severus is a boy's name.

How popular is Severus?

Severus is a very rare name in the U.S.

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