The name Idris is of Arabic origin, derived from the Semitic root "dr" which means "to study" or "to interpret." It is believed to have originated in the 7th century CE during the early days of Islam.

Idris is a name that has been used in various parts of the Arab world, as well as in regions with significant Muslim populations. It gained particular prominence through its association with the Islamic prophet Idris, who is mentioned in the Quran and is revered as one of the earliest prophets sent by God.

The name Idris is also linked to the ancient city of Idris, located in present-day Morocco. This city was named after the prophet and was a center of learning and scholarship during the medieval period. The name has been associated with wisdom, knowledge, and intellectual pursuits.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Idris can be found in the works of the renowned Islamic scholar and philosopher, Al-Farabi, who lived in the 9th and 10th centuries CE. He wrote extensively about the philosophical and scientific teachings of the prophet Idris.

Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Idris. One of the most famous was Idris I, the founder of the Idrisid dynasty in Morocco, who ruled from 788 to 791 CE. Another prominent figure was Idris al-Shafi'i, a renowned Islamic jurist and the founder of the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence, who lived from 767 to 820 CE.

Other notable individuals with the name Idris include Idris of Bidlis, a 16th-century Kurdish poet and philosopher; Idris Senussi, the founder of the Senussi Muslim order in Libya in the 19th century; and Idris I, the first King of Libya, who reigned from 1951 to 1969.

The name Idris has also been carried by contemporary figures, such as Sir Idris Llewelyn Davies, a Welsh lawyer and judge who lived from 1924 to 2018, and Idris Elba, the acclaimed British actor known for his roles in films like "The Wire" and "Luther," born in 1972.

Throughout its long history, the name Idris has remained a popular choice in many parts of the world, particularly among Muslim communities, due to its rich cultural and religious associations with knowledge, wisdom, and prophetic traditions.