The name Paris originated from the ancient Greek Παρίς (Parīs). It stems from an older word meaning "a Pariah" or "beyond" in the ancient Sanskrit language. The name was also associated with the Greek word "pâris" meaning "of equal value, equal in appearance or equal in age." This connects the name to the concept of fairness, beauty, and equality.

Paris was the name of the famous mythological figure in Greek mythology, also known as Alexander or Paris of Troy. According to the Iliad by Homer, Paris was a prince of Troy who caused the Trojan War by taking Helen, the wife of the Spartan king Menelaus, to Troy. His abduction of Helen is cited as one of the main catalysts for the decade-long Trojan War.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Paris dates back to the 8th century BC in ancient Greece. A famous bearer of the name was Paris of Troy, the son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, who lived around the late 13th or early 12th century BC during the Trojan War.

In ancient Roman mythology, Paris was also the name of a young shepherd who was chosen to judge a contest between the goddesses Juno, Minerva, and Venus. He awarded the golden apple to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, which ultimately led to the Trojan War.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Paris. One of the most famous was Paris, a 3rd-century Christian martyr and bishop of the Italian town of Arezzo, who was beheaded during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Decius in 250 AD.

In the 16th century, Paris Bordone (1500-1571) was an Italian Renaissance painter known for his portraits and religious works. Another noteworthy individual was Paris François Poulain de la Barre (1647-1723), a French philosopher and feminist who advocated for women's rights and gender equality.

The name Paris also has literary connections. In William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet," Paris is a wealthy young nobleman who is betrothed to Juliet but is ultimately killed by Romeo. Additionally, Paris was the name of a character in the Greek play "The Trojan Women" by Euripides, written in 415 BC.