Find out how popular the first name Memphis has been for the last 30 years (from 1994 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Memphis by gender

Based on the last 30 years of data, Memphis is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 80% of people named Memphis being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 610 male babies and 207 female babies born with the name Memphis.

The history of the first name Memphis

The name Memphis is an English name derived from the ancient Egyptian city of the same name. It traces its origins back to the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt, around 2686-2181 BC. The city's name is believed to come from the ancient Egyptian words "mn-nfr" which translates to "enduring and beautiful".

Memphis was one of the oldest and most important cities in ancient Egypt, serving as the capital during the Old Kingdom. It was a center of worship for the god Ptah and was renowned for its impressive temples and monuments. The city's name appears frequently in ancient Egyptian texts and records.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Memphis being used as a personal name dates back to the 19th century. Memphis Minnie, an influential American blues singer and guitarist, was born Lizzie Douglas in 1897. She acquired the nickname "Memphis Minnie" due to her association with the city of Memphis, Tennessee.

Another notable historical figure with the name Memphis was Memphis Slim, an American blues pianist and singer born John Len Chatman in 1915. He was a prominent figure in the Chicago blues scene and helped popularize the use of the name Memphis.

In literature, the name Memphis appears in the works of ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who wrote about the city and its significance in ancient Egypt. The name was also mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the Book of Isaiah, where it is referred to as "Noph".

Other historical figures with the name Memphis include Memphis Raines, an American outlaw and train robber in the late 19th century, and Memphis McKenzie, an American baseball player who played in the Negro Leagues in the 1920s and 1930s.

While the name Memphis has its roots in ancient Egyptian culture, it has gained popularity as a given name in more recent times, particularly in English-speaking countries. However, its use as a personal name can be traced back centuries, with notable individuals bearing the name throughout history.

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 Memphis was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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