The name Eris originates from Ancient Greek mythology and language. It is derived from the Greek word "eris" which means strife or discord. The name first appeared in Greek literature and texts around the 8th century BCE.

In Greek mythology, Eris was the goddess of strife, chaos, and discord. She was often depicted as a woman with a scowling expression, tousled hair, and a torch in her hand. According to the Iliad, Eris was responsible for sparking the Trojan War by throwing a golden apple inscribed "To the fairest" during the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, causing a dispute among the goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Eris was in the epic poem "Works and Days" by the ancient Greek poet Hesiod, who lived around 700 BCE. In this work, Hesiod personified Eris as a malignant deity who brought about misery and suffering.

Throughout history, the name Eris has been borne by several notable individuals. One of the earliest was Eris, a Greek poetess from the island of Lesbos who lived around the 6th century BCE. Another notable figure was Eris of Cyzicus, a Greek philosopher and mathematician from the 5th century BCE.

In the 19th century, Eris was the name of a dwarf planet discovered in 2005 by astronomers Mike Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David Rabinowitz. The name was chosen to reflect the discord and controversy surrounding its classification as a planet or dwarf planet.

Other notable individuals named Eris include Eris Fieldwalker (born 1969), an American writer and pagan author, and Eris Chasma, a massive canyon on the planet Venus named after the Greek goddess.