Iris Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Iris Name Meaning

Fact: The Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in New Jersey, USA, houses one of the largest collections of irises in the world.

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A Deep Dive

Iris Overview

Meaning

Rainbow

Gender

Girl

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word “iris,” meaning “rainbow.”

Pronunciation

/ˈaɪrɪs/

Popularity

Iris is a well-loved name globally, appearing frequently in countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden. In 2023, Iris ranked within the top 150 names for girls in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Mythological, Nature-inspired, Classic, Short, Cute

Associated Traits

Colorful, vibrant, delicate

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

In Greek mythology, Iris is the goddess of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods. The name also has botanical significance, representing the beautiful and diverse iris flower.

Name Day

September 4th
A Deep Dive

Iris Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Iris, Irisa, Iridessa, Irie, Iriee, Iriana, Iriska, Irisae, Iriss, Irys, Irissia, Iridia

Common Nicknames

Izzy, Rissy, Issa, Reese, Riri, Sissy

Diminutives

Irie, Isi, Issa, Riri, Ira, Iz

Famous People

  • Iris Apfel
    (American Fashion Icon)
  • Iris Chang
    (American Historian)
  • Iris DeMent
    (American Singer-Songwriter)
  • Iris Murdoch
    (British Novelist)
  • Iris Robinson
    (Northern Irish Politician)
  • Iris Berben
    (German Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • "Iris"
    (Song)
  • "Iris"
    ("Goo Goo Dolls Greatest Hits Volume One," Album)
  • Iris West
    ("The Flash," TV Series)
  • Iris Simpkins
    ("The Holiday," Film)
  • Iris Chase
    ("The Blind Assassin," Novel)

Places

  • Irishtown Bend Park
    (Ohio, USA)
  • Iris Lake
    (Georgia, USA)
  • Iris Creek
    (British Columbia, Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Iris?

The name Iris means “rainbow.” People named Iris are often seen as colorful, creative, and full of life, reflecting the vibrant and diverse nature of a rainbow.

What Is the Origin of The Name Iris?

Iris has its origins in Greek mythology, where Iris was the goddess of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods. The name has been used since ancient times and is associated with beauty, communication, and diversity.

Iris Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Iris in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1072021#842022#782023
Top 3 Rankings#782023#842022#1072021

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Iris

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202378
(+6 from 2022)
2921
(-9 from 2022)
0.16699
202284
(+23 from 2021)
2930
(+349 from 2021)
0.16341
2021107
(+20 from 2020)
2581
(+405 from 2020)
0.14406
2020127
(+1 from 2019)
2176
(-16 from 2019)
0.12310
2019128
(+10 from 2018)
2192
(+66 from 2018)
0.11946
2018138
(+11 from 2017)
2126
(+136 from 2017)
0.11432
2017149
(+37 from 2016)
1990
(+240 from 2016)
0.10534
2016186
(+30 from 2015)
1750
(+243 from 2015)
0.09040
2015216
(+28 from 2014)
1507
(+177 from 2014)
0.07725
2014244
(+9 from 2013)
1330
(+79 from 2013)
0.06798
2013253
(+28 from 2012)
1251
(+117 from 2012)
0.06490
2012281
(+22 from 2011)
1134
(+83 from 2011)
0.05847
2011303
(+12 from 2010)
1051
(+40 from 2010)
0.05424
2010315
(+1 from 2009)
1011
(-25 from 2009)
0.05156
2009316
(+26 from 2008)
1036
(+64 from 2008)
0.05116
2008342
(-25 from 2007)
972
(-94 from 2007)
0.04667
2007317
(+52 from 2006)
1066
(+186 from 2006)
0.05037
2006369
(-13 from 2005)
880
(+1 from 2005)
0.04209
2005356
(+20 from 2004)
879
(+48 from 2004)
0.04331
2004376
(+12 from 2003)
831
(+45 from 2003)
0.04118
2003388
(-5 from 2002)
786
(+14 from 2002)
0.03917
2002383
(+13 from 2001)
772
(+39 from 2001)
0.03909
2001396
(+17 from 2000)
733
(+48 from 2000)
0.03700
2000413
(+1 from 1999)
685
(+11 from 1999)
0.03432
1999414
(+40 from 1998)
674
(+104 from 1998)
0.03462
1998454
(+52 from 1997)
570
(+89 from 1997)
0.02940
1997506
(+13 from 1996)
481
(+28 from 1996)
0.02519
1996519
(-20 from 1995)
453
(-38 from 1995)
0.02363
1995499
(-16 from 1994)
491
(-28 from 1994)
0.02555
1994483
(-12 from 1993)
519
(-20 from 1993)
0.02662
1993471
(-23 from 1992)
539
(-24 from 1992)
0.02734
1992448
(-50 from 1991)
563
(-78 from 1991)
0.02808
1991398
(+19 from 1990)
641
(+31 from 1990)
0.03152
1990417
(+33 from 1989)
610
(+69 from 1989)
0.02969
1989450
(+13 from 1988)
541
(+54 from 1988)
0.02716
1988463
(+36 from 1987)
487
(+54 from 1987)
0.02532
1987499
(-55 from 1986)
433
(-53 from 1986)
0.02310
1986444
(+15 from 1985)
486
(+19 from 1985)
0.02633
1985459
(-19 from 1984)
467
(-5 from 1984)
0.02529
1984440
(+59 from 1983)
472
(+83 from 1983)
0.02617
1983499
(-48 from 1982)
389
(-82 from 1982)
0.02174
1982451
(-15 from 1981)
471
(-18 from 1981)
0.02596
1981436
(-8 from 1980)
489
(-15 from 1980)
0.02734
1980428
(-4 from 1979)
504
(+12 from 1979)
0.02830
1979424
(+19 from 1978)
492
(+43 from 1978)
0.02855
1978443
(+57 from 1977)
449
(+75 from 1977)
0.02731
1977500
(-49 from 1976)
374
(-56 from 1976)
0.02274
1976451
(+5 from 1975)
430
(+16 from 1975)
0.02736
1975456
(+4 from 1974)
414
(+23 from 1974)
0.02652
1974460
(-67 from 1973)
391
(-123 from 1973)
0.02496
1973393
(+47 from 1972)
514
(+78 from 1972)
0.03307
1972440
(-41 from 1971)
436
(-103 from 1971)
0.02704
1971399
(-28 from 1970)
539
(-105 from 1970)
0.03075
1970371
(+9 from 1969)
644
(+40 from 1969)
0.03516
1969380
(-4 from 1968)
604
(+19 from 1968)
0.03426
1968376
(+80 from 1967)
585
(+150 from 1967)
0.03422
1967456
(-7 from 1966)
435
No change from 1966
0.02534
1966449
(-33 from 1965)
435
(-73 from 1965)
0.02478
1965416
(+8 from 1964)
508
(-27 from 1964)
0.02780
1964424
(-17 from 1963)
535
(-21 from 1963)
0.02733
1963407
(-42 from 1962)
556
(-104 from 1962)
0.02797
1962365
(-6 from 1961)
660
(-50 from 1961)
0.03256
1961359
(-21 from 1960)
710
(-66 from 1960)
0.03418
1960338
(+4 from 1959)
776
(+7 from 1959)
0.03731
1959342
(-10 from 1958)
769
(-27 from 1958)
0.03700
1958332
(-26 from 1957)
796
(-105 from 1957)
0.03853
1957306
(-28 from 1956)
901
(-77 from 1956)
0.04294
1956278
(+12 from 1955)
978
(+90 from 1955)
0.04749
1955290
(+5 from 1954)
888
(+69 from 1954)
0.04429
1954295
(-26 from 1953)
819
(-103 from 1953)
0.04114
1953269
(-7 from 1952)
922
(+2 from 1952)
0.04778
1952262
(-4 from 1951)
920
(+27 from 1951)
0.04837
1951258
(-19 from 1950)
893
(-93 from 1950)
0.04834
1950239
(+10 from 1949)
986
(+66 from 1949)
0.05607
1949249
(-4 from 1948)
920
(-15 from 1948)
0.05241
1948245
(+7 from 1947)
935
(+70 from 1947)
0.05365
1947252
(+1 from 1946)
865
(+68 from 1946)
0.04758
1946253
(+15 from 1945)
797
(+152 from 1945)
0.04941
1945268
(-14 from 1944)
645
(-72 from 1944)
0.04792
1944254
(+6 from 1943)
717
(+6 from 1943)
0.05247
1943260
(-15 from 1942)
711
(-63 from 1942)
0.04953
1942245
(+1 from 1941)
774
(+74 from 1941)
0.05566
1941246
(-25 from 1940)
700
(-50 from 1940)
0.05618
1940221
(+2 from 1939)
750
(+1 from 1939)
0.06349
1939223
(+5 from 1938)
749
(+18 from 1938)
0.06605
1938228
(-13 from 1937)
731
(-48 from 1937)
0.06404
1937215
(-4 from 1936)
779
(-9 from 1936)
0.07070
1936211
(-2 from 1935)
788
(-29 from 1935)
0.07313
1935209
(+7 from 1934)
817
(-6 from 1934)
0.07518
1934216
(+3 from 1933)
823
(+58 from 1933)
0.07604
1933219
(-7 from 1932)
765
(-85 from 1932)
0.07313
1932212
(-8 from 1931)
850
(-45 from 1931)
0.07683
1931204
(-1 from 1930)
895
(-43 from 1930)
0.08109
1930203
(-7 from 1929)
938
(-43 from 1929)
0.08041
1929196
(+4 from 1928)
981
(-29 from 1928)
0.08475
1928200
(-2 from 1927)
1010
(-11 from 1927)
0.08448
1927198
(+1 from 1926)
1021
(+56 from 1926)
0.08258
1926199
(+9 from 1925)
965
(+18 from 1925)
0.07844
1925208
(+11 from 1924)
947
(+60 from 1924)
0.07498
1924219
(-1 from 1923)
887
(+12 from 1923)
0.06846
1923218
(+37 from 1922)
875
(+222 from 1922)
0.06986
1922255
(-3 from 1921)
653
(-47 from 1921)
0.05234
1921252
(+10 from 1920)
700
(+67 from 1920)
0.05470
1920262
(-17 from 1919)
633
(-44 from 1919)
0.05088
1919245
(+7 from 1918)
677
(+22 from 1918)
0.05763
1918252
(-1 from 1917)
655
(+38 from 1917)
0.05448
1917251
(+2 from 1916)
617
(+40 from 1916)
0.05491
1916253
(-2 from 1915)
577
(+14 from 1915)
0.05314
1915251
(+2 from 1914)
563
(+138 from 1914)
0.05499
1914253
(+10 from 1913)
425
(+115 from 1913)
0.05335
1913263
(+45 from 1912)
310
(+90 from 1912)
0.04733
1912308
(-7 from 1911)
220
(+47 from 1911)
0.03750
1911301
(+18 from 1910)
173
(+30 from 1910)
0.03916
1910319
(-8 from 1909)
143
(+5 from 1909)
0.03409
1909311
(-2 from 1908)
138
(+7 from 1908)
0.03749
1908309
(-8 from 1907)
131
(-5 from 1907)
0.03695
1907301
No change from 1906
136
(+13 from 1906)
0.04030
1906301
(+38 from 1905)
123
(+23 from 1905)
0.03924
1905339
(+19 from 1904)
100
(+16 from 1904)
0.03227
1904358
(+35 from 1903)
84
(+19 from 1903)
0.02872
1903393
(+36 from 1902)
65
(+13 from 1902)
0.02336
1902429
(+6 from 1901)
52
(+6 from 1901)
0.01855
1901435
(-9 from 1900)
46
(-16 from 1900)
0.01809
1900426
(+12 from 1899)
62
(+18 from 1899)
0.01951
1899438
(-11 from 1898)
44
(-8 from 1898)
0.01778
1898427
(-41 from 1897)
52
(-4 from 1897)
0.01897
1897386
(+23 from 1896)
56
(+7 from 1896)
0.02256
1896409
(+17 from 1895)
49
(+5 from 1895)
0.01944
1895426
(+120 from 1894)
44
(+16 from 1894)
0.01781
1894546
(-26 from 1893)
28
No change from 1893
0.01187
1893520
(-17 from 1892)
28
(-1 from 1892)
0.01243
1892503
(+11 from 1891)
29
(+4 from 1891)
0.01289
1891514
(+85 from 1890)
25
(+6 from 1890)
0.01272
1890599
(-32 from 1889)
19
(-1 from 1889)
0.00942
1889567
(+45 from 1888)
20
(+3 from 1888)
0.01057
1888612
(+121 from 1887)
17
(+7 from 1887)
0.00897
1887733
(-76 from 1886)
10
(-2 from 1886)
0.00643
1886657
(-100 from 1885)
12
(-3 from 1885)
0.00781
1885557
(-1 from 1884)
15
(+1 from 1884)
0.01057
1884556
(+198 from 1883)
14
(+7 from 1883)
0.01018
1883754
(+154 from 1882)
7
(+2 from 1882)
0.00583
1882908
(-285 from 1881)
5
(-3 from 1881)
0.00432
1881623
(-105 from 1880)
8
(-3 from 1880)
0.00809
1880518
First SSA data recorded
11
First SSA data recorded
0.01127

American States Popularity Rankings for Iris

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#842021#802022#752023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1192021#1142022#1192023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1152021#1132022#1102023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#1242021#1132022#1202023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#1142021#902022#932023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1612021#1432022#1192023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1052021#1022022#842023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1222021#1102022#982023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#922021#582022#552023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#1392021#1222022#1802023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#912021#712022#872023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#2672021#2022022#1772023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#1922021#1452022#1452023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#992021#702022#642023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#932021#622022#452023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#702021#452022#492023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#912021#692022#672023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#1742021#1402022#1402023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#1612021#1202022#1042023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1512021#1592022#832023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1332021#822022#1122023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#1022021#702022#572023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#1162021#932022#822023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#842021#672022#422023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#682021#702022#852023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#1022021#732022#872023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1582021#822022#612023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1302021#1072022#582023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#622021#512022#672023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#2052021#1462022#942023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#962021#942022#632023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#1172021#542022#1142023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#642021#682022#542023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#912021#722022#922023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#562021#1042022#1042023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1582021#1732022#1842023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1152021#842022#542023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#322021#572022#322023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1872020#682022#1552023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1242021#1032022#802023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1192021#772022#882023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#952021#1022022#862023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#732021#552022#582023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#822021#752022#932023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#662021#1122022#802023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#492021#452022#962023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#292021#102022#112023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1112021#1062022#862023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1082018#1312020#612021

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1042019#1612022#702023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1032012#732015#1022017

Popularity Rankings for Iris in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#72018

Popularity in Romania

Romania flagRomania#182023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#252020#182021#182022

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#282021#242022#212023

Popularity in Croatia

Croatia flagCroatia#492021#432022#342023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#672020#582021#572022

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#792020#712021#692022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#812019#772020#702021

Popularity in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina flagBosnia and Herzegovina#822020#802021#812022

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#912021#822022#842023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#1082021#1022022#862023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#882021#952022#1362023

Popularity in Portugal

Portugal flagPortugal#972011#942012

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#1482020#952021#1102022

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Basque Country, Spain flagBasque Country, Spain#962022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#1212021#1162022#1682023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1842021#1952022#1372023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3502021#2182022#1512023

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1591924

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1872012#1602015#1862019

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1932020#1782021#2182022

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1841985#1831986#1961987

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#3762013#3162015#2322017

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#3802020#4332022#3622023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#4172021#4102022#4212023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Iris a Name for Boys or Girls?

Iris is a name for girls. It is widely used for females due to its association with the Greek goddess and its use as a flower name, emphasizing its feminine qualities and natural beauty.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Iris

Iris in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Iris Apfel (Fashion Icon, born 1921): An American businesswoman, interior designer, and fashion icon celebrated for her eclectic style.
  • Iris Chang (Historian, 1968–2004): An American author and journalist who wrote extensively on Chinese and Chinese-American history.
  • Iris DeMent (Singer-Songwriter, born 1961): An American singer-songwriter noted for her rootsy, country-folk style.
  • Iris Murdoch (Novelist, 1919–1999): A British author and philosopher, her novels often explored themes of good and evil, sexual relationships, and morality.
  • Iris Robinson (Politician, born 1949): A Northern Irish politician who served as a Member of Parliament and a Member of the Legislative Assembly.
  • Iris Berben (Actress, born 1950): A German actress with numerous roles in film and television.
  • Iris Kyle (Bodybuilder, born 1974): An American professional bodybuilder with multiple Ms. Olympia titles.
  • Iris Mittenaere (Beauty Queen, born 1993): A French model, television host, and Miss Universe 2016.
  • Iris Adrian (Actress, 1912–1994): An American actress recognized for her comedic roles in film and television.
  • Iris Johansen (Author, born 1938): An American author of crime fiction, romance, and suspense novels.
  • "Iris" (1999 Song): A hit song by the Goo Goo Dolls featured in the film "City of Angels."
  • Iris ("Goo Goo Dolls Greatest Hits Volume One," 2007 Album): A collection featuring the popular song "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls.
  • Iris West ("The Flash," 2014 TV Series): A journalist and love interest of Barry Allen, also known as The Flash.
  • Iris Simpkins ("The Holiday," 2006 Film): A British woman who swaps homes with an American woman during the holiday season.
  • Iris Chase ("The Blind Assassin," 2000 Novel): The protagonist of Margaret Atwood's novel, telling her life's story intertwined with a novel within the novel.
  • Iris Henderson ("The Lady Vanishes," 1938 Film): A young woman who uncovers a conspiracy on a train.
  • Iris Gaines ("The Natural," 1984 Film): The love interest of baseball player Roy Hobbs.
  • "Iris" (2001 Film): A biographical film about the life of novelist Iris Murdoch.
  • Iris Murdoch ("Iris," 2001 Film): The subject of the biographical film focusing on her life and battle with Alzheimer's disease.
  • Iris ("Mega Man X4," 1997 Video Game): A character in the Mega Man video game series, associated with the Repliforce.
  • Irishtown Bend Park (Ohio, USA): A park in Cleveland, known for its scenic views of the Cuyahoga River and downtown skyline.
  • Iris Lake (Georgia, USA): A serene lake in McDonough, popular for fishing and picnicking.
  • Iris Creek (British Columbia, Canada): A creek in the Kootenay region, ideal for trout fishing and nature walks.

Similar Names to Iris