"glowing, scorching"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Sirius
Pronunciation: [ s-IHR-ih-uhs ]
Does Sirius flow with your last name?
The brightest star in the sky - and in Harry Potter
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Meaning & Origin
"dog star"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
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Things to Know About This Name
- Siri - associated with Apple's voice assistant (since 2011), though this mainly affects the nickname rather than the full name
The Story of Sirius
Sirius comes from the Greek Seirios, meaning glowing or scorching. It is the name of the brightest star in the night sky, located in the constellation Canis Major (Great Dog), also called the Dog Star. The ancient Egyptians used Sirius's heliacal rising to predict the Nile's annual flood and mark the New Year. In J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, Sirius Black is Harry's godfather - brave, loyal, and wrongly imprisoned in Azkaban.
Sirius experienced a notable uptick after the Harry Potter series made Sirius Black a beloved character. Parents who grew up with the books began choosing the name in the 2010s-2020s as a tribute to the character while embracing its astronomical and mythological significance.
In ancient Egypt, the rising of Sirius (called Sopdet) marked the New Year and the Nile flood. The Roman dog days of summer (mid-July to mid-August) were attributed to Sirius's position near the sun. The name carries both astronomical prestige and literary charm.
Historical Record
Sirius first appeared in US Social Security records in 1999.
Over 689 babies have been named Sirius in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Sirius is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,650 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Sirius is approximately 25 times more luminous than the Sun and 8.6 light-years from Earth
- The dog days of summer are named for Sirius's association with the constellation Canis Major
- Sirius Black, Harry Potter's godfather, is named after the star in J.K. Rowling's series
Sirius in Other Languages
Greek
Σείριος
Latin
Sirius
Arabic
الشعرى
French
Sirius
Spanish
Sirio
Popularity Over Time
#2,650
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Sirius
S
Sirius Black Fictional
Other
Harry Potter's godfather in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series - brave, loyal, and wrongly imprisoned in Azkaban
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Compare Sirius with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,650
- Total SSA Count
- 50
- Cultural Origins
- English American European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Siri
Rius
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Sirius
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Sirius is also used as a girl name, ranked #41727.
View Sirius as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sirius
What does the name Sirius mean?
"glowing, scorching" (from Greek). "dog star" (from Latin). Sirius comes from the Greek Seirios, meaning glowing or scorching. It is the name of the brightest star in the night sky, located in the constellation Canis Major (Great Dog), also called the Dog Star. The ancient Egyptians used Sirius's heliacal rising to predict the Nile's annual flood and mark the New Year. In J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, Sirius Black is Harry's godfather - brave, loyal, and wrongly imprisoned in Azkaban.
What is the origin of the name Sirius?
Sirius has Greek, Latin, English, American, and European origins. In Greek, it means "glowing, scorching". In Latin, it means "dog star".
Is Sirius a boy or girl name?
Sirius is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2650. As a girl name, it is ranked #41727. Sirius is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Sirius?
Sirius is pronounced s-IHR-ih-uhs.
How popular is the name Sirius?
Sirius is currently ranked #2650 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Sirius?
Common nicknames for Sirius include Siri and Rius.
What are good middle names for Sirius?
Popular middle name pairings include Sirius James, Sirius Orion, Sirius Leo, Sirius Caspian, Sirius Felix, and Sirius William.
What are good sibling names for Sirius?
Names that pair well with Sirius as siblings include Orion, Luna, Lyra, Remus, Rigel, and Cassia.
How many syllables does Sirius have?
Sirius has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Sirius a common or rare name?
Sirius is an uncommon name, ranked #2650 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Sirius
Sirius is a boy name with English, American, and European origins . The name means "glowing, scorching" in Greek .
Is Sirius a boy or girl name? Sirius is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,650 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #41,727. Sirius is more commonly used as a boy name.
Sirius is currently ranked #2,650 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Sirius has 3 syllables and is pronounced s-IHR-ih-uhs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Sirius include Siri and Rius. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis