Iris Name Meaning

Iris is a Greek name, meaning “rainbow.” In Greek mythology, Iris is the personification of the rainbow and the messenger of the gods. She was said to travel with the speed of wind from one end of the world to the other and was often depicted as a beautiful woman with wings.

History of the Name Iris

The name Iris has a rich history dating back to ancient Greece. In Greek mythology, Iris was the personification of the rainbow and the messenger of the gods. She was often depicted in art and literature as a beautiful woman with wings, who could travel with the speed of wind from one end of the world to the other.

Throughout history, the name Iris has been used in literature, art, and mythology. In the 19th century, the name Iris became popular in England, and it’s been widely used in the English-speaking world ever since.

Popularity of the Name Iris

Iris has been a consistently popular name for girls in the United States, but it’s not on the top 100 most popular names for girls. As of 2021, it’s ranked as the #266 most popular name for girls in the United States. It’s also popular in other countries like England, Ireland, and Scotland.

Final Thoughts on the Name Iris

In conclusion, Iris is a unique and charming name that has a strong and powerful meaning. It has a rich history dating back to ancient Greece, and it’s been consistently popular in the English-speaking world. Iris is perfect for a girl who is bright, colorful, and unique. If you’re looking for a classic and elegant name for your baby girl, Iris might just be the perfect choice for you!

Infographic of Iris name meaning, which is A Greek name meaning rainbow, Iris is also a floral name.
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Iris Name Popularity

How popular is the name Iris? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 — 92 0.0261%
1911 — 122 0.0328%
1912 — 173 0.0343%
1913 — 264 0.0466%
1914 — 389 0.0558%
1915 — 536 0.059%
1916 — 562 0.0582%
1917 — 595 0.0595%
1918 — 636 0.0593%
1919 — 661 0.0631%
1920 — 614 0.0552%
1921 — 692 0.0604%
1922 — 631 0.0566%
1923 — 858 0.0766%
1924 — 865 0.0745%
1925 — 923 0.0817%
1926 — 952 0.0866%
1927 — 986 0.0891%
1928 — 990 0.0925%
1929 — 952 0.0919%
1930 — 907 0.0868%
1931 — 870 0.0881%
1932 — 822 0.0832%
1933 — 741 0.0795%
1934 — 799 0.0827%
1935 — 786 0.0809%
1936 — 757 0.0786%
1937 — 752 0.0763%
1938 — 696 0.068%
1939 — 716 0.0704%
1940 — 726 0.0683%
1941 — 679 0.0603%
1942 — 741 0.0587%
1943 — 676 0.0518%
1944 — 687 0.0554%
1945 — 610 0.05%
1946 — 772 0.0523%
1947 — 836 0.0501%
1948 — 908 0.0569%
1949 — 884 0.055%
1950 — 948 0.0589%
1951 — 872 0.0514%
1952 — 893 0.0512%
1953 — 885 0.05%
1954 — 787 0.0431%
1955 — 866 0.0471%
1956 — 954 0.0505%
1957 — 873 0.0454%
1958 — 759 0.0402%
1959 — 735 0.0387%
1960 — 725 0.0383%
1961 — 666 0.0353%
1962 — 629 0.0343%
1963 — 523 0.0291%
1964 — 490 0.0278%
1965 — 476 0.0291%
1966 — 399 0.0256%
1967 — 405 0.0267%
1968 — 553 0.0368%
1969 — 581 0.0377%
1970 — 595 0.0374%
1971 — 498 0.0331%
1972 — 401 0.0294%
1973 — 480 0.037%
1974 — 342 0.0263%
1975 — 382 0.0297%
1976 — 383 0.0297%
1977 — 333 0.0247%
1978 — 402 0.0299%
1979 — 450 0.0319%
1980 — 460 0.0315%
1981 — 444 0.0302%
1982 — 431 0.0288%
1983 — 349 0.0237%
1984 — 415 0.0279%
1985 — 421 0.0277%
1986 — 438 0.029%
1987 — 381 0.025%
1988 — 444 0.0285%
1989 — 496 0.0307%
1990 — 547 0.033%
1991 — 586 0.036%
1992 — 511 0.032%
1993 — 498 0.0319%
1994 — 476 0.031%
1995 — 429 0.0285%
1996 — 397 0.0265%
1997 — 444 0.03%
1998 — 534 0.0357%
1999 — 643 0.0429%
2000 — 634 0.0415%
2001 — 686 0.0455%
2002 — 735 0.049%
2003 — 758 0.0498%
2004 — 791 0.0519%
2005 — 855 0.0559%
2006 — 842 0.0538%
2007 — 1,036 0.0657%
2008 — 942 0.0609%
2009 — 1,012 0.0677%
2010 — 982 0.0681%
2011 — 1,012 0.071%
2012 — 1,111 0.078%
2013 — 1,224 0.086%
2014 — 1,311 0.09%
2015 — 1,482 0.1019%
2016 — 1,731 0.1201%
2017 — 1,953 0.1399%
2018 — 2,100 0.1528%
2019 — 2,170 0.1603%
2020 — 2,098 0.1648%
2021 — 2,396 0.196%
2022 — 2,913 0.2208%
2023 — 2,929 0.2263%

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Data via SSA.gov.


Names Like Iris

If you like Iris, you’ll love these other names like Iris.


What names are variants of Iris?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Iris.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Irida

Rainbow

Greek

Iridiana

Rainbow

Greek

Iridianny

Rainbow

Greek

Irisa

Rainbow

Irish

Irisha

Rainbow

Irish

Irita

Rainbow

Greek


What names sound like Iris?

If you like how Iris sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Iris.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Eris

Strife

Greek

Eriss

Greek

Erys

Greek


What names are similar to Iris?

Find a name that’s like Iris, but just a little bit different.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Rainbow

Spectrum of light

English


Lists With Iris

Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Iris.


Siblings of Iris

Mamas with kids named Iris also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Agnes

Pure, holy

Greek

Jewel

Plaything, delight

French

Willow

Willow tree

English

Adrien

From Hadria

Latin

Damien

To tame

French

Persephone

Bringer of destruction

Greek

Sebastien

Revered

Greek

Phoenix

Dark red

Greek

Leverett

Young Hare

French

Freya

Lady

Scandinavian

Rowan

Of the rowan tree

Gaelic

Wyatt

Brave in battle

English

Briar

Shrub, Small Tree

English

Rose

Rose flower

English

Sage

Healing herb

Latin

24 Comments

  1. We named her Iris to honor Saint Joan of Arc.

  2. Iris Is a great name, this might seem kinda fake because my name is Iris, but I enjoy my name. Its classy, floral, sweet, rare, full of light, and meaning full. I recommend it long with the names; Mara, Oakley, Zendaya, and Violet.

  3. Me and my girlfriend found the name Iris and fell in love we knew as soon as she was a girl that Iris would be her name she was born a couple days ago she is so precious 9/3/24

  4. Iris means in Greek- Rainbow; she’s our little rainbow baby. It is also a symbol of Faith, Hope, and Trust in God.

  5. She didn’t have a name until after she was born. None of us could agree on a name we all liked. She was almost Ellanora.
    It was a lot of hard work birthing that big o’ head, but as soon as I seen her I knew she was my flower. My Iris. So now I have Saige and Iris. My two beautiful daughters!

  6. Unique, cool origin and meaning

  7. Our first daughter’s name was Violet. We wanted to do a flower theme. Iris was one of the names we like last time. So we decided to go with it.

  8. My great-grandmother’s name was Iris and we always loved the name. It is also special because it means “rainbow” in Greek and she is our rainbow baby.

  9. Well informed course

  10. Pretty rough first pregnancy but all work out good. Because nice flowery name and has good meaning.
    I like all about it and my partner chose it so I like it too.
    She is strong, healthy baby girl and we will continue to give her the best

  11. Went with Iris because we love flowers and it had Greek mythology roots just like my first daughter Daphne which is also a flower.

  12. We chose the name “Iris” while driving home from work one day. It was more like, “Iris Elaine.” I said it as if I were scolding her, as if I were calling out to her- a couple different ways. We wanted a name both old and new. Iris Elaine was the result!

  13. In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow, a messenger for Zeus and Hera who rode the rainbow as a multicolored bridge from heaven to earth. In ancient times, the Iris was considered a symbol of power and majesty, the three petal segments representing faith, wisdom and valor. This colorful image led to the naming of the flower and to the colored part of the eye. Iris is also the national flower of Croatia.

  14. My husband picked it because of Iris on the TV show “The Flash“, but I like the meaning of it as a Goddess of the rainbow because we saw so many rainbows before I got pregnant with her. I also love that it is a derivation of the word iridescent.

  15. Its actully a good name and it means that she will a cool and nice person and it should be popular and i think boys have this name to and means she love everybody

  16. Iris from the Greek Irida

  17. Iris was not a name we had on any of our lists, but I just couldn’t find just the right name for our third girl. All of our children have Saints names, and I came across a list of unusual Saints’ names. Iris (Greek) or St Rais of Alexandria was on the list, a 4th century martyr. A brave and heroic young girl. It really stuck out to us. Then we found out it meant “rainbow” in Greek, and our Iris is our second rainbow baby, born after a miscarriage of her older brother Jude. We just think it’s perfect for her.

  18. It means “rainbow.” I have had two miscarriages, and Iris is a sign of God’s promise. We also have two older children with nature names and Iris goes well with them.

  19. We named our daughter Iris after the Greek goddess of the rainbow.

  20. I thought I was carrying a boy so when she was born at 23 weeks a girl and didn’t make it, I had to scramble to find a girl name for her. It fit very well.

  21. We wanted something classic yet unique. “Iris” was mentioned while driving in the car one day and we never thought of another name we liked more!

  22. We wanted her full name to include a feminine name as well as a biblical/Christian-based name. When it came to Iris, we loved the thought of a floral name and had both always been fond of that particular one. We were blessed, it was just meant to be for her.

  23. my husband and I both had a name for my baby girl. When she was born, I feel the name my husband picked suits her better, thus, we named our girl Iris. Iris means rainbow in Greek. I want her life to be full of happiness and colorful.


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