Iris
Iris is a girls' name of Greek origin meaning “rainbow.” It ranked #61 in the United States in 2025. Iris was the Greek goddess of the rainbow who served as a messenger between gods and humanity.
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how do you pronounce Iris?
EYE-ris
where does the name Iris come from?
The Greek ἶρις, meaning rainbow, and the name of the goddess who personified it. The same word names the flower and the coloured part of the eye — all three senses descend from the single Greek word for the range of colours in a rainbow.
The name also evokes the iris flower and the colored part of the eye. Its multi-layered symbolism and brevity fuel its rapid rise.
the history of Iris
Iris carried messages between the gods and mortals in Greek myth, travelling along the rainbow as her road, a counterpart to Hermes. The flower was named for the variety of its colours, and the eye's iris for the same reason. The name belongs to the Victorian botanical wave and returned to the British and American top hundred after 2000.
how popular is this name?
Iris has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #61 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #61 |
| 2024 | #71 |
| 2023 | #78 |
| 2022 | #84 |
| 2021 | #107 |
| 2020 | #127 |
| 2019 | #128 |
| 2018 | #138 |
| 2017 | #149 |
| 2016 | #186 |
| 2010 | #315 |
| 2000 | #413 |
| 1990 | #417 |
| 1980 | #428 |
| 1970 | #371 |
| 1960 | #338 |
| 1950 | #239 |
| 1940 | #221 |
| 1930 | #203 |
| 1920 | #262 |
| 1910 | #319 |
| 1900 | #426 |
| 1890 | #599 |
| 1880 | #518 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Iris fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Iris?
- Iris Murdoch (British-Irish novelist)
- Iris Apfel (American fashion icon)
- Iris (Greek goddess of the rainbow)
what are the nicknames and variants of Iris?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Iris?
what names go well with Iris?
Sibling names that share Iris's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Iris
What does the name Iris mean?
Iris means “rainbow”.
What is the origin of the name Iris?
Iris comes from the Greek naming tradition. Related forms include Irisa and Irida.
How popular is the name Iris?
Iris ranked #61 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2025, at #61, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Iris a boy or girl name?
Iris is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Iris?
Iris is pronounced EYE-ris, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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