MallowbyNames

Ardis

AR-dis · Of uncertain origin; possibly derived from Latin 'arduus' meaning 'steep' or 'lofty', or a feminine form of Arden.

Peak popularity
1928
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Ardis since 1899

Babies named Ardis per year in U.S. Social Security records.

67135202192019602000Most births 1928GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1890s190
1900s1316
1910s844123
1920s1,845209
1930s1,609147
1940s994144
1950s591168
1960s21684
1970s8471
1980s2450
1990s023
2000s60
2010s175
2020s60

Meaning & origin

Ardis is a name of uncertain origin that saw its heyday in the early 20th century. First recorded in the United States in 1899, the name reached its peak popularity in 1928, when it ranked highest among given names. Since then, its usage has remained stable, though it has fallen out of common use. The name's etymology is debated, possibly stemming from the Latin 'arduus' meaning 'lofty' or from the surname Arden. Despite its obscurity today, Ardis carries a vintage charm reminiscent of the 1920s, a decade when names like Mavis and Fern were also in vogue. With no strong regional ties, it offers a distinctive choice for parents seeking an uncommon yet historically rooted name.

Ardis first appeared in the late 19th century. It may be a variant of the surname Arden, which itself derives from a Celtic word for 'high' or 'lofty'. Alternatively, it could be a Latinate coinage from 'arduus', meaning 'steep'. The name saw modest use in the early 20th century, peaking in the 1920s, but has since become rare.

Where Ardis is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few births

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Ardy, Ardie, Dis

Variants: Ardys

Sibling names for Ardis

Names that share Ardis's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

A is for Ardis, our favorite little girl.

A is for Ardis…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Ardis's letter becomes Ardis's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Ardis's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Ardis mean?
The meaning of Ardis is uncertain. It may be derived from the Latin 'arduus' meaning 'steep' or 'lofty', or it could be a feminine form of Arden.
How popular is Ardis today?
Ardis is not currently in the top 1000 names. Its peak popularity was in 1928, and it has remained stable in rarity since then.
Is Ardis a boy or girl name?
Ardis is primarily used as a girl's name. It has been recorded as female since the earliest records in 1899.