Iris
Iris Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
EYE-ris
Meaning of Iris: Iris derives from the Ancient Greek word iris (ἴρις), meaning rainbow. In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow and a messenger between the gods and humans, traveling along the rainbow’s arc between heaven and earth.
The word also named the iris flower—which displays the colors of the rainbow—and the colored ring of the eye, where it survives in modern anatomy and botany.
According to etymology records, Iris appeared in English records from the late 16th century, initially among educated families familiar with classical mythology.
What Does Iris Mean? Origin & Etymology
The iris flower became a major symbol in heraldry and visual art—the French fleur-de-lis is often identified as a stylized iris—giving the name strong visual associations alongside the mythological ones.
According to SSA records, Iris ranked in the US top 100 in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, then declined mid-century. It re-entered the top 200 in 2008 and the top 100 in 2015, reaching rank 71 in 2024 with 3,697 registered births.
Its revival mirrors the broader return of nature-and-mythology names: Flora, Violet, Ivy, and Aurora followed similar trajectories.
Iris has strong cross-cultural appeal: it is used identically in German, Dutch, Spanish, and Italian without spelling modification.
The Dutch painter Mondrian frequently painted iris flowers; the Japanese hanashobu iris celebration influences tourism culture; and the name appears across European literary traditions from Iris Murdoch (British novelist, 1919–1999) to the Iris film (2001) about her life.
Notably, Iris is one of the few mythological names that is also a common English word with multiple meanings.
How Popular Is Iris?
Numerology & Symbolism of Iris
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Iris – Similar Names & Alternatives
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity
Frequently Asked Questions about Iris
What does Iris mean?
Iris means rainbow, from the Ancient Greek iris. In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess who personified the rainbow and served as a messenger between gods and humans. The name also refers to the iris flower and the colored ring of the human eye.
Where does the name Iris come from?
Iris comes from Ancient Greek mythology, where it named the goddess of the rainbow and divine messenger. It entered English use in the late 16th century among classically educated families. It is also used identically in German, Dutch, Spanish, and Italian without spelling change.
How popular is Iris in the US?
Iris ranks #71 for girls in the US in 2024, according to SSA records, with 3,697 registered births. It ranked in the top 100 in the early 20th century, declined mid-century, and re-entered the top 100 in 2015 as part of a vintage mythology-and-nature name revival.
Is Iris a flower name or a mythology name?
Iris is both. The Greek goddess named the flower, and the flower embodies the rainbow-color meaning of the name. It is also an anatomy term for the colored ring of the eye. This triple semantic identity—mythology, botany, anatomy—is rare among girls’ names.
What are notable bearers of the name Iris?
British novelist Iris Murdoch (1919–1999) is among the most prominent 20th-century bearers. Her life was depicted in the 2001 film Iris. The name also appears in Goo Goo Dolls’ 1998 song “Iris,” which reached #9 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Iris – Name Variants & Spellings
| Variant | Language |
|---|---|
| Irys | Polish |
| Irisa | Russian variant |