A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Severin since 1908
Babies named Severin per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2014, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Severin's real moment was 1908.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 67 |
| 1920s | 70 |
| 1930s | 32 |
| 1940s | 17 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 12 |
| 1970s | 42 |
| 1980s | 78 |
| 1990s | 105 |
| 2000s | 190 |
| 2010s | 206 |
| 2020s | 85 |
Meaning & origin
Severin is a rare but historically rooted name. First recorded in U.S. data in 1908, when it reached its peak rank at 5,861, the name has never been common. Since 1985, however, its trajectory has been rising, reflecting a growing interest in vintage and saintly names. With a 1-in-113,872 occurrence in 2025, Severin remains a distinctive choice, favored by parents drawn to its serious, scholarly undertone and connection to early Christian saints.
Severin derives from the Latin cognomen Severus, meaning 'stern' or 'serious'. It was borne by several early saints, including a 5th-century Bishop of Cologne and a 6th-century Abbot of St. Maurice. The name was revived in the 19th century and has seen modest use in English-speaking countries.
“Severin” around the world
Where Severin lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sev, Sever, Rin, Vin
Variants: Severinus, Séverin, Severino, Severjan
Sibling names for Severin
Names that share Severin's style, for a brother or sister.
