The story behind Iris
From Ancient Greek Ἶρις (Îris, “rainbow”).
Other language forms and explanations (1)
Dutch entry
Borrowed from Latin Iris or Ancient Greek Ἶρις (Îris).
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): AY1 R AH0 S / AY1 R IH0 S
Regional pronunciation variants
- Dutch: /ˈiː.rɪs/
This is a US English dictionary reading of the spelling; personal pronunciations may differ. Digits mark stress: 0 is unstressed, 1 is primary, 2 is secondary. Pronunciation source and notation.
Popularity
Iris ranked #61 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Iris
Iiris
From Swedish Iris, adapted from English Iris, from Ancient Greek Ἶρις (Îris). Later associated also with the flower iiris (“iris”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Íris
Learned borrowing from Latin Iris, from Ancient Greek Ἶρις (Îris). Derived from Ancient Greek Ἶρις (Îris, “rainbow”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Isaías
From Old Galician-Portuguese Ysayas, borrowed from Latin Īsaias, Ēsaias, from Ancient Greek Ἠσαΐας (Ēsaḯas), from Hebrew יְשַׁעְיָהוּ (yəšaʿyā́hū). Borrowed from Latin Īsāiās,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Isis
Learned borrowing from Latin Īsis from Ancient Greek Ἶσις (Îsis), from Egyptian st-t:H8-B1 (ꜣst).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
ʔilyās
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἠλίας (Ēlías), from Biblical Hebrew אֵלִיָּהוּ (ʔeliyyɔhū).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Aeneas
Borrowed from Latin Aenēās, from Ancient Greek Αἰνείας (Aineías).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Iris
Jan
From Old French Jehan (“John”). Doublet of John. Czech Jan Inherited from Old Czech Jan, borrowed from Latin Iōannēs. From Middle Dutch jan, from Latin Iōhannēs, from Ancient…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Job
From Latin Iob, from Ancient Greek Ἰώβ (Iṓb), from Biblical Hebrew אִיּוֹב (ʾiyyōḇ), related to אָיַב (ʾāyaḇ, “to be an enemy”) and אוֹיֵב (ʾōyēḇ, “enemy”). Ultimately from…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends B
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Jon
A male given name from Hebrew, variant of John. Coined by Sabino Arana from Latin Iohannes.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Iris
Abel
English Abel From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Adam
Middle English Adam English Adam From Middle English Adam, from Old English Adam, from Latin Adam, Adamus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), Ἄδαμος (Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Ajax
From Latin Aiāx, from Ancient Greek Αἴᾱς (Aíās).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends X
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection