Declining since 2021, #639 for boys today.
Popularity of Memphis since 1915
Babies named Memphis per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 | 16 |
| 1920s | 0 | 47 |
| 1930s | 0 | 12 |
| 1940s | 0 | 17 |
| 1950s | 0 | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 12 | 5 |
| 2000s | 419 | 1,966 |
| 2010s | 994 | 4,458 |
| 2020s | 1,120 | 3,664 |
Meaning & origin
Memphis first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1916, but remained rare until the 1990s. It climbed steadily, reaching its peak rank of 639 in 2021, then entered a gradual decline; by 2025 its rank was unchanged at 639, though the 1-in-3,909 rate indicates it is still given to several hundred babies each year. The name is most popular in southern states, notably Kentucky, West Virginia, and South Carolina. As a geographical name, Memphis evokes both the ancient Egyptian capital and the Tennessee city known for its music and culture. Its unisex appeal keeps it stylistically current alongside other place-names like Phoenix and Savannah.
Memphis is the Greek adaptation of the ancient Egyptian name Men-nefer, meaning 'enduring and beautiful.' It later became the name of a major city in Tennessee, founded in 1819. As a given name, Memphis has been used sporadically since the early 20th century, gaining popularity in the 1990s as a stylish place-name.
Where Memphis is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Memphis” around the world
Where Memphis lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mem, Memp
Sibling names for Memphis
Names that share Memphis's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Memphis
Names whose popularity has moved with Memphis's over the last 50 years.
