Find out how popular the first name Sirius has been for the last 25 years (from 1999 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Sirius by gender

Based on the last 25 years of data, Sirius is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Sirius being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 53 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Sirius.

The history of the first name Sirius

The given name Sirius has its origins in ancient Greek mythology and astronomy. It is derived from the Greek word "seirios" which means "scorching" or "glowing". This name was used to refer to the brightest star in the night sky, known as the Dog Star or Sirius.

The name Sirius has been recorded in ancient Greek texts and astronomical records dating back to the 8th century BC. In Greek mythology, Sirius was associated with the dog Orion, who was known as a skilled hunter. The appearance of Sirius in the night sky was believed to bring scorching heat and drought.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Sirius was Sirius of Alexandria, a 4th-century AD Greek philosopher and mathematician. He is known for his work on the calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for his contributions to the study of geometry.

Another notable figure named Sirius was Sirius of Pavia, a 7th-century Italian monk and scholar. He is best known for his writings on theology and for his role in the establishment of the Benedictine monastic order.

In the 16th century, Sirius Paulinus was a Danish astronomer and mathematician. He made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and was involved in the development of the Gregorian calendar.

Sirius Tanner was an English Puritan minister and theologian who lived in the 17th century. He was known for his influential sermons and writings on religious topics.

In more recent history, Sirius Black was a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling. He was an important member of the Order of the Phoenix and served as a godfather to the protagonist, Harry Potter.

While the name Sirius has ancient roots and has been used throughout history, it has remained relatively uncommon as a given name, likely due to its strong association with the celestial body and its meaning related to heat and scorching.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Sirius was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Sirius, please contact us.

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