Rising since 1986, #61 for girls today.
Popularity of Iris since 1880
Babies named Iris per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 119 |
| 1890s | 374 |
| 1900s | 937 |
| 1910s | 4,360 |
| 1920s | 8,672 |
| 1930s | 8,135 |
| 1940s | 7,814 |
| 1950s | 8,871 |
| 1960s | 5,807 |
| 1970s | 4,685 |
| 1980s | 4,739 |
| 1990s | 5,542 |
| 2000s | 8,644 |
| 2010s | 15,352 |
| 2020s | 17,499 |
Meaning & origin
Iris is a name of ancient Greek origin, derived from the word for 'rainbow' and tied to the goddess Iris in mythology. Since the 19th century, it has also been associated with the iris flower, adding a botanical charm. After a period of moderate use in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the name declined in the mid-20th century but has been on a remarkable upward trajectory since 1986. As of 2025, it ranks 61st nationally, with approximately 1 in 431 newborn girls receiving the name. Its peak popularity occurred in that same year, the most recent data available. The name is particularly favored in top states such as Wyoming, Alaska, and Vermont. Iris appeals to parents seeking a classic yet nature-inspired name that feels both timeless and fresh.
Iris is directly taken from the Greek word for 'rainbow,' and in Greek mythology Iris was the goddess of the rainbow and a divine messenger. The name has been used for the flower since the 14th century, and as a given name it saw occasional use in the 19th century, gaining broader popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Where Iris 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.
“Iris” around the world
Where Iris lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#17
in 2024
Ireland
32
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#79
in 2025
Quebec
33
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Irie
Sibling names for Iris
Names that share Iris's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Violet, Lily, Rose, Hazel, Pearl, Ada, Aerial, Ailene, Amara, Ardis, Athena, Audry, Avis, Azalea, Blythe, Clementine, Corine, Daphne, Echo, Eliana, Elisa, Eloise, Evalyn, Flor, Flora, Imogene, Ione, Ivy, Kalliope, Larissa, Laurel, Lenore, Mabel, Magaly, Maud, Mavis, Myrtis, Nyssa, Odessa, Pansy, Phoebe, Rhea, Rhoda, Rosalee, Rosalie, Rosemary, Selene, Syble, Thalia, Twila, Waverly, Willa, Aeris, Ailyn, Alysse, Artemis, Aura, Aveline, Azure, Calla, Charis, Cyan, Dafne, Daisey, Daphine, Daphney, Dulcie, Elease, Eris, Eudora, Floria, Gaia, Juno, Kalista, Lael, Leda, Lillia, Lotus, Ninfa, Pandora, Pearlene, Phebe, Raine, Thais, Xenia, Zenaida, Zinnia, Airis, Anthea, Aphrodite, Ardys, Athina, Audre, Averil, Calypso, Caris, Clio, Corra, Cyrena, Daphene, Daphnee, Daphnie, Dorise, Elane, Evlyn, Glenis, Hazelle, Helana, Hera, Itza, Izora, Lorane, Lumi, Lyllian, Lyndia, Lynea, Maevis, Nyx, Rosabel, Rozelle, Rozena, Syliva, Sylva, Tais, Vivia, Zooey, Aelyn, Aeriel, Aletheia, Aspasia, Asteria, Aurorah, Chloris, Cybil, Dulse, Eliabeth, Elice, Elynn, Ercel, Faun, Floreine, Geniva, Haeven, Hyacinth, Io, Ionia, Jonquil, Katniss, Kharis, Lilac, Lillien, Lydian, Mare, Mayvis, Narcissus, Nieve, Norie, Philis, Rosamary, Roselin, Rosland, Tulip, Verina, Vi, Vienne, Xanthe, Zoi, Ayris, Cloria, Fauna, Greydis, Icis, Adelei, Aizel, Aradia, Arryn, Assyria, Athene, Athenea, Challis, Chrysanthemum, Cybele, Daphyne, Eirene, Elenie, Faydra, Floree, Flower, Gladiola, Hebe, Hyla, Hypatia, Jenet, Kassiani, Kyrene, Lilias, Lillan, Linnell, Lowe, Lun, Madolin, Majel, Mayre, Merriel, Mirage, Moet, Nefeli, Niobe, Nolynn, Orean, Ourania, Rosamae, Rosemae, Salice, Seleen, Seoni, Skyra, Sybel, Sybol, Thetis, Uva, Verdine, Vivyan
Brothers: Oliver, Felix, Jasper, Theo, Silas, Alton, Ares, August, Charon, Coy, Drexel, Elvin, Errol, Everett, Ezra, Homer, Leander, Mearl, Myron, Otto, Reynold, Roy, Solon, Sylas, Theron, Val, Zenon, Zephyr, Zeppelin, Arlis, Arlon, Athan, Carlis, Conway, Delos, Eros, Evander, Florian, Ladon, Mayo, Perrin, Rivers, Syrus, Triton, Vernal, Waylan, Zeno, Zeus, Ariston, Azel, Bane, Belvin, Byrl, Calem, Calix, Cloud, Corvin, Daimon, Dashel, Deforest, Derris, Elim, Elridge, Emerick, Eulas, Finneas, Gable, Garlin, Haynes, Helios, Ivis, Jessup, Kalon, Lucan, Lynx, Murel, Oriel, Orien, Philo, Quill, Quince, Rael, Real, Royden, Rozell, Sun, Vertis, Apollos, Argus, Arles, Artice, Autrey, Bon, Clent, Colden, Crespin, Derril, Doyl, Ersel, Escher, Fernie, Glendal, Hersey, Huel, Hymen, Kline, Kratos, Kron, Lanis, Leonides, Lynnwood, Mayford, Nike, Orlyn, Phelix, Poseidon, Ranson, Raynor, Rollan, Thurl, Tymon, Ulyses, Weller, Eryx, Aldous, Alroy, Ambers, Andros, Auren, Ayvin, Bion, Chrys, Clavin, Corbitt, Corvus, Densil, Dois, Doren, Elvan, Emerik, Enock, Evart, Felis, Gailen, Garlen, Haston, Herley, Idus, Juell, Kroi, Lelend, Leto, Levan, Loomis, Lowen, Lyndle, Mainor, Marl, Mead, Mearle, Meril, Midas, Mirl, Neldon, Noan, Noris, Orby, Pax, Platon, Prometheus, Rector, Silvan, Socrates, Sonder, Syir, Trice, Ulys, Voris, Woodruff, Zephyrus
Names like Iris
Names whose popularity has moved with Iris's over the last 50 years.
