Find out how popular the first name Iris has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Iris by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Iris is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Iris being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 2,921 female babies and 17 male babies born with the name Iris.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 17 baby boys were named Iris in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Iris

The name Iris has its origins in the Greek language and culture, tracing back to ancient times. It is derived from the Greek word "iris," which refers to the rainbow and was also the name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow, messenger of the gods, and personification of the rainbow. The name Iris may have also been connected to the iris flower, which was significant in Greek mythology.

In Greek mythology, Iris was the personification of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods who traveled on the arc of the rainbow between the heavens and the earth. She was often depicted as a beautiful young woman with golden wings and a cloak of many colors. The name Iris is mentioned in various ancient Greek texts, including Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, where she played a role in delivering messages between the gods and mortals.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Iris dates back to the 5th century BC, when a Greek woman named Iris was mentioned in an ancient inscription from the island of Thasos. The name gained popularity in ancient Greece and continued to be used throughout the Hellenistic and Roman eras.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Iris. One of the most famous was Iris of Eritrea (c. 3rd century AD), a philosopher and mathematician who lived during the Roman period. Another was Iris Merryweather (1759-1822), an English botanist and naturalist known for her work on plant classification.

Other historical figures with the name Iris include:

• Iris Murdoch (1919-1999), a British novelist and philosopher.
• Iris Apfel (born 1921), an American businesswoman and fashion icon.
• Iris Chang (1968-2004), an American historian and journalist.
• Iris van Herpen (born 1984), a Dutch fashion designer known for her avant-garde designs.

The name Iris has maintained its appeal throughout the centuries, thanks to its beautiful and symbolic meaning, as well as its connection to Greek mythology and ancient history. While its popularity has ebbed and flowed over time, the name continues to be used today, often chosen for its unique and enchanting quality.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Iris was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Iris, please contact us.

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