severus

Severus is a masculine given name of Latin origin. It derives from the Latin severus, meaning stern, severe, or strict. In antiquity, Severus appeared as part of Roman names, most famously in Lucius Septimius Severus, the emperor who founded the Severan dynasty and ruled from 193 to 211 CE.

Several early Christian saints bore the name Severus, and it remains recognizable in hagiography. The best known is Severus of Antioch (c. 465–538), a prominent patriarch of Antioch and theologian associated with the religious controversies of his era.

The name also appears in modern literature, most prominently through Severus Snape, a central character in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Snape is portrayed as a Potions Master at Hogwarts, later Head of Slytherin House, and a morally complex figure within the narrative.

In contemporary usage, Severus is relatively uncommon as a given name outside historical or classical contexts. It persists in academic, religious, or literary references and appears in various languages as a Latin or classical name.