Iris: Meaning, Origin & Everything You Need to Know
Iris is a Greek name meaning 'rainbow', and was the name of the goddess who carried messages for the gods.
At a Glance
- Pronunciation
- EYE-risˈaɪ.rɪs
- Origin
- Greek
- Meaning
- Iris is a Greek name meaning 'rainbow', and was the name of the goddess who carried messages for the gods.
- Gender
- Girl's name
- Syllables
- 2
- Nicknames
- Iri, Irie
- US Popularity (2025)
- #61 — 📈 Rising
What Does Iris Mean?
Iris is the Greek word for 'rainbow'. In Greek myth Iris was the goddess who travelled along the rainbow to carry messages between the gods and people. The iris flower is named after her because of its range of colours, and so is the coloured part of the eye.
It was in fairly steady use as a girls' name in the early twentieth century and then dropped out of fashion. The recent rise has been sharp: Iris was #216 in 2015 and reached #61 in 2025, with a bigger share of births every year in between.
Bearers include Iris Murdoch, the Irish-born novelist and philosopher, and Iris Apfel, the New York fashion collector who became a style icon late in life and died in 2024 at 102.
How Popular Is Iris?
Iris climbed from #216 in 2015 to #107 in 2021 and #61 in 2025, and 2025 is its best year in the data.
Source: US Social Security Administration (SSA) baby name data, ssa.gov/oact/babynames, 2025.
Middle Names That Go with Iris
Classic pairings
- Iris Elizabeth
- Iris Josephine
- Iris Margaret
- Iris Catherine
Modern pairings
- Iris Wren
- Iris Marlowe
- Iris Juniper
- Iris Wilder
One-syllable options
- Iris Rose
- Iris Jane
- Iris Claire
- Iris Mae
Family-name bridges
- Iris Ann
- Iris Marie
- Iris Grace
- Iris Louise
Names Similar to Iris
If you love Iris, you might also like these names with a similar feel, origin, or sound.
Sibling Names That Go with Iris
💙 Brother names
💗 Sister names
Famous People Named Iris
- Iris MurdochIrish-born British novelist and philosopher, author of 'The Sea, the Sea'.
- Iris ApfelAmerican interior designer and fashion icon, known for her oversized glasses and layered jewellery.
- IrisGreek goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the gods.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Iris
Is Iris a boy or girl name?
Iris is primarily a girl's name. It is very rarely used for boys.
How do you pronounce Iris?
Iris is pronounced EYE-ris (IPA: ˈaɪ.rɪs). It has 2 syllables. Common nicknames include Iri, Irie.
Is Iris a Greek name?
Iris is of Greek origin. Iris is a Greek name meaning 'rainbow', and was the name of the goddess who carried messages for the gods.
What does Iris mean?
Iris is a Greek name meaning 'rainbow', and was the name of the goddess who carried messages for the gods.
Iris is the Greek word for 'rainbow'. In Greek myth Iris was the goddess who travelled along the rainbow to carry messages between the gods and people. The iris flower is named after her because of its range of colours, and so is the coloured part of the eye.
Is Iris a popular name in 2026?
Yes, Iris is a highly popular name. It ranked #61 in the United States in 2025 according to the Social Security Administration. The name is currently trending upward. Iris climbed from #216 in 2015 to #107 in 2021 and #61 in 2025, and 2025 is its best year in the data.
What are good middle names for Iris?
Good middle names for Iris include classic choices like Iris Elizabeth and Iris Josephine, modern options like Iris Wren and Iris Marlowe, and crisp one-syllable pairings like Iris Rose and Iris Jane. The best middle name depends on your surname and personal style.
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