Rising since 2001, #3,450 for boys today.
Popularity of Sirius since 1999
Babies named Sirius per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 9 |
| 2000s | 117 |
| 2010s | 319 |
| 2020s | 279 |
Meaning & origin
Sirius is a name with celestial gravity, drawn from the brightest star in the night sky. It first entered the US Social Security records in 1999, and its usage has risen steadily since 2001, especially after the Harry Potter series introduced a beloved character with the name. In 2022 it reached its peak rank of 3,450, with approximately 1 in 51,760 boys named Sirius that year. The name is most popular in states like Texas and California, reflecting a broader trend of star-inspired names. While still uncommon, Sirius has a strong, distinctive sound and a clear astronomical meaning, making it a choice for parents looking for something rare yet familiar.
Sirius is the name of the brightest star in the night sky, also known as the Dog Star, part of the constellation Canis Major. The name comes from the Ancient Greek Σείριος (Seirios), meaning 'scorching' or 'glowing,' a reference to the star's brilliance and its appearance during the hot summer months. It has been used as a given name in English-speaking countries, especially following the popularity of the character Sirius Black in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series (1997-2007). Prior to that, it was virtually unused in the US, first appearing on Social Security records in 1999.
Where Sirius is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Sirius” around the world
Where Sirius lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rius
Sibling names for Sirius
Names that share Sirius's style, for a brother or sister.
