Iris
Rainbow
How does Iris feel alongside your favorites? Talk through the sound, meaning and fit with your family.
Iris meaning & origin
Iris means "rainbow" in Greek. It also connects with the iris flower and the rainbow goddess of Greek mythology.[1]
In Greek mythology, Iris is a messenger of the gods. The flower and the colored part of the eye share the same Greek word behind the name; "flower" is an association, not its literal meaning.[1]
The English pronunciation starts with an "eye" sound. Other languages pronounce Iris differently, so an English phonetic guide is not a universal rule.[1]
Considering Iris for your shortlist?
Editorial suggestions, not claims about personality or future success.
- Choose which connection matters to you: the rainbow, the flower, or the mythological story. You do not need to intend all three.
- Say Iris with your surname, especially if it begins with S. Try both a short and a longer middle name to hear which rhythm you prefer.
Pronunciation
EYE-riss
English guide[1]
Popularity
In 2024, Iris ranked #71 in US Social Security name records for female births. This is the latest verified year in our catalog, not a live ranking.
Iris popularity by year
| Birth year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2020 | #127 |
| 2021 | #108 |
| 2022 | #84 |
| 2023 | #78 |
| 2024 | #71 |
Source: Social Security Administration. US data is not a worldwide measure of usage. Missing years are not zero births.
Middle Name Ideas
- Iris Rose
- Iris Grace
- Iris Claire
Sources & notes
Meaning, origin and English pronunciation above were checked against the linked sources on (revision 1). Prepared with AI assistance; this is not a specialist linguistic review.
Catalog variants, nicknames and pairings have not all completed individual source review. Pairings are suggestions, not usage statistics. Birth-name ranks have separate SSA source-file provenance.
The pronunciation button uses your device's speech voice, not a native-speaker recording.
Variants & Alternate Spellings of Iris
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Frequently Asked Questions About Iris
What does the name Iris mean?
Iris means "rainbow" in Greek. It also connects with the iris flower and the rainbow goddess of Greek mythology.
How do you pronounce Iris?
An English guide is EYE-riss. Pronunciation can vary by language and family.
How popular is the name Iris?
In 2024, Iris ranked #71 in US Social Security name records for female births. This is the latest verified year in our catalog, not a live ranking.
What middle names could work with Iris?
Try Iris Rose, Iris Grace, Iris Claire aloud with your surname. These pairings are subjective suggestions.
More Greek Girl's Names
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Flowing, ease; in Greek mythology, Rhea was the mother of Zeus and other Olympian gods
Alea
Defender, protector
Alena
Bright, shining light
Alexa
Defender; Greek origin meaning "protector of mankind"
Alexandr
Defender of mankind
Alexandra
Defender of the people
Alexandrea
Defender of mankind
Alexandria
Defender of mankind
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