Iris

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Origin, Meaning, And History of Iris

The name Iris is of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word “iris,” meaning “rainbow.” In Hebrew, Iris means “flower,” and in Latin, it refers to “the bringer of joy.” The name is the personification of the rainbow and the messenger of Gods in Greek mythology. Iris was the Goddess of Rainbow who was believed to have delivered messages to Zeus and Hera through a rainbow bridge. She is often depicted as a beautiful woman with wings, traveling from one part of the world to the other.

In ancient times, Iris was considered a symbol of power and strength, represented in its three petals of faith, wisdom, and valor. This led to the naming of Iris, the national flower of Croatia, and also the colored part of the eye.

The name Iris has grown in popularity since the last century and is steadily regaining its past glory after the 1930s. The name has numerous variations across cultures and languages. Popular variants include Duhovka, Iridie, Irisz, Sant Marti, Varaviksne, and Vella. Iris is a short name that may not need a nickname. However, nicknames like Irie, Izie, Sissy, Ris, Rissy, Riz, and Rizza, can go well with the name.

The name also made a mark in popular culture. Iris Simpkins is a character in the 2006 romantic-comedy film ‘The Holiday,’ played by Kate Winslet. She was a British woman looking for a holiday and ready for a house swap and the. Iris is also the name of the Pokemon gym leader in the video game series ‘Pokemon Black’ and ‘Pokemon White.’ Iris, a hotel manager, is a prominent character in the American horror television series ‘American Horror Story: Hotel,’ played by Kathy Bates.

The name is borne by several notable personalities, including American actress Iris Apatow, Irish-British novelist Iris Murdoch, and former Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere.

Iris

Meaning Rainbow which originated from a flower's name in Greek

Gender Girl

Religion Christianity,Greek

Origin Greek

Names starting with  I..  Ir..  Ira..  Ior..  Irk..  Iru.. 

How To Pronounce Iris?

Iris On The Popularity Chart

Iris has been a popular girl’s name in the US since the 2000s. It is also quite popular in England, Ireland, and Scotland. Check out the graphs below to know the name’s popularity trends.

Popularity Over Time

The name Iris has seen a steady rise in popularity over the last two decades, with 2020 being a standout year. In 2021, there were 2569 baby girls named Iris. See the graph below to learn more.

Rank Over Time

Ranked at 414 in 2000, the name Iris has gradually increased in popularity, bettering its rank to 127th in 2021. The graph below provides detailed information.

Names With Similar Sound As Iris

If the sound of Iris appeals to you, here are some similar-sounding names with different meanings. Take your pick.

Aeris Arissa Arista Arsenia Arsia Arusi Eris Erisa Erissa Iracema

Names With Similar Meaning As Iris

Do you want to explore another name that means “rainbow” for your toddler? Check out the options below.

Iraj Irka Irusya

Name Numerology For Iris

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• Author

Trisha ChakrabortyMA, BEd

Trisha worked as a schoolteacher for three years before taking up professional writing in 2021. She completed her masters in English from the University of Calcutta and bachelors in Education from the University of Burdwan. Trisha believes that being a teacher enabled her to have a closer look at children’s developmental needs and capabilities. Her experience reflects in the articles...more