Sirius

Pronunciation: [ s-IHR-ih-uhs ]

Boy Name #2,650 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

The brightest star in the sky - and in Harry Potter

English American European

Literary Bold Sophisticated Unique

Meaning & Origin

"glowing, scorching"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

"dog star"

Origin: Latin

Language: Latin

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.

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

Famous People Named Sirius

Sirius Black Fictional

Other

Harry Potter's godfather in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series - brave, loyal, and wrongly imprisoned in Azkaban

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

Pairs Well With

Sirius James Sirius Orion Sirius Leo Sirius Caspian Sirius Felix Sirius William

Sibling Names

Orion Luna Lyra Remus Rigel Cassia

Also a Girl Name

Sirius is also used as a girl name, ranked #41727.

View Sirius as a girl name →

Similar Names

Silas Felix Myron Titus Cyril Hyrum Marius Linus

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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.