Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Iris is a name of Greek origin meaning 'rainbow.' It evolved from Ancient Greek to Latin and then to English. The name is associated with beauty and nature, with no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the late 19th century and remains a vibrant choice today.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈaɪrɪs/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Iris is derived from the Greek word for 'rainbow.' In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods.
Meaning
rainbow
Language Evolution
Iris (Ancient Greek), Iris (Latin), Iris (English)
Historical Usage
The name Iris gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, largely due to the flower and its association with beauty and nature.
Variants & Derivatives
Irie, Iry, Iri
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Iris is perceived as a classic yet vibrant name, often associated with beauty and nature, partly due to the popularity of the iris flower.
Famous People
Iris Murdoch, Iris Apfel, Iris DeMent
📊 Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,140 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (8 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 8 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2597th of 7545 | 160 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2483rd of 6773 | 172 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3151st of 7552 | 132 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5312th of 10718 | 58 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6617th of 16616 | 87 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 14231st of 24088 | 36 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 8004th of 23106 | 112 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 257th of 9107 | 11,916 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 230th of 9204 | 14,423 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 312th of 12526 | 15,626 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 434th of 19264 | 7,755 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 475th of 27321 | 8,052 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 374th of 35406 | 13,564 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 134th of 30306 | 25,903 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
91.55% 2166th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
95.07% 2237th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
14.90% 211th/1416 |
21.97% 303rd/1379 |
9.09% 215th/2366 |
16.55% 189th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
13.71% 212th/1546 |
13.50% 210th/1556 |
9.05% 213th/2353 |
17.32% 268th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
18.19% 405th/2227 |
9.63% 234th/2430 |
9.39% 268th/2853 |
15.10% 419th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
21.42% 629th/2937 |
9.02% 314th/3483 |
11.00% 387th/3518 |
14.07% 569th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
21.38% 788th/3685 |
9.70% 434th/4475 |
8.76% 455th/5194 |
6.47% 409th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
9.82% 450th/4582 |
7.90% 408th/5164 |
5.92% 433rd/7313 |
3.55% 265th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
2.91% 116th/3984 |
3.79% 170th/4487 |
2.42% 165th/6822 |
1.66% 104th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Hawaii across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been consistently rising. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been too falling for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too falling for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2597th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2483rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3151st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5312th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6617th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 14231st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 8004th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 257th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 230th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 312th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 434th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 475th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 374th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 134th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.