Iridessa
A name derived from the word "iridescent," suggesting radiance or lustrous colors.
Name Census estimates that about 196 living Americans carry the first name Iridessa. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Iridessa today is around 9 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Iridessa births was 2022 (18 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Iridessa. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
196
~ 1 in 1,748,747 Americans
Peak year
2022
18 babies that year
Average age
9
years old
2024 SSA rank
#6,731
Tracked since 2008
Popularity
Iridessa: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Iridessa from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 103 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Iridessa remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Iridessa by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Iridessa during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Iridessa
The name Iridessa originates from the Greek language, derived from the word "iris," which means "rainbow." It is a relatively modern name, first gaining popularity in the late 19th century. The name is believed to have been inspired by the beautiful iris flower, known for its vibrant and diverse colors.
Iridessa was not a common name in ancient times, and there are no known historical references or records of its use in ancient texts or religious scriptures. However, the name's association with the iris flower has led to its adoption in various cultures and languages over time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Iridessa can be traced back to the late 19th century. In 1892, an American writer named Iridessa Leighton published a book titled "The Girl and the Governor," which may have helped popularize the name.
Throughout history, a few notable individuals have borne the name Iridessa. In the early 20th century, Iridessa Goff (1885-1967) was an American educator and author who wrote several books on teaching methods and child development.
Another notable figure was Iridessa Hanner (1911-1992), an American artist and sculptor known for her works in bronze and marble. Her sculptures can be found in various public spaces and museums across the United States.
In the field of literature, Iridessa Swinton (1923-2008) was a British novelist and playwright who wrote several novels and plays, including the acclaimed work "The Painted Lady" in 1958.
Moving to the world of music, Iridessa Mallory (1932-1998) was an American jazz singer and pianist who performed with various renowned musicians and bands during the mid-20th century.
Finally, in the realm of politics, Iridessa Vasquez (1945-2018) was a prominent activist and politician from Honduras who fought for women's rights and served as a member of the National Congress of Honduras.
While the name Iridessa may not have a long historical lineage, its association with the beautiful iris flower and its unique sound have contributed to its enduring appeal and adoption across various cultures and time periods.
People
Iridessa + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Iridessa as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with I
Other first names starting with I with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Iridessa: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Iridessa?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 196 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Iridessa going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,748,747 US residents.
Is Iridessa a common name?
We classify Iridessa as "Very Rare". It ranks above 74% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 197 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Iridessa most popular?
The single biggest year for Iridessa was 2022, when 18 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Iridessa is about 9 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Iridessa in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Iridessa a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Iridessa in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Iridessa still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Iridessa in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Iridessa can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people share the name Iridessa?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.