How to say it
CY · rus
ˈsaɪ.rəs
Masculine
Cyrus
Sun, or lord
What it means
From the Old Persian Kūruš, the name of Cyrus the Great. The exact sense is debated, often read as 'sun,' 'young,' or 'lord.'
Cyrus comes from Old Persian Kūruš, borne by Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BCE. Scholars still argue the literal meaning, with 'sun,' 'young,' and 'lord' all in play. The Hebrew Bible praises Cyrus for freeing the Jews from Babylonian exile, which gave the name a second life as a Christian and biblical choice. It reads strong and a little regal, at home with Silas, Ezra, and Atlas.
How to spell Cyrus
The standard spelling is Cyrus. Common variants include Kourosh, Kyros, Cyrenius, but Cyrus is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #216 in 1880, currently #268 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
The Hebrew Bible casts Cyrus the Great as a liberator; in pop culture the Cyrus surname (Billy Ray, Miley) is the everyday touchpoint.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Cyrus the Great founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, 6th century BCE
- Cyrus the Persian king praised as a liberator in the Book of Isaiah
Spelling variants
- Kourosh
- Kyros
- Cyrenius
Names with the same feeling
See Cyrus from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Cyrus mean?
- From the Old Persian Kūruš, the name of Cyrus the Great. The exact sense is debated, often read as 'sun,' 'young,' or 'lord.'
- What does Cyrus mean in Old Persian?
- In Old Persian, Cyrus means "Sun, or lord." Cyrus comes from Old Persian Kūruš, borne by Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BCE. Scholars still argue the literal meaning, with 'sun,' 'young,' and 'lord' all in play. The Hebrew Bible praises Cyrus for freeing the Jews from Babylonian exile, which gave the name a second life as a Christian and biblical choice. It reads strong and a little regal, at home with Silas, Ezra, and Atlas.
- How do you pronounce Cyrus?
- Cyrus is pronounced ˈsaɪ.rəs. Say it as CY-rus, with the stress on the "cy" syllable.
- How do you spell Cyrus?
- The standard spelling is Cyrus. Common spelling variants include Kourosh, Kyros, Cyrenius.
- Is Cyrus a boy or girl name?
- Cyrus is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Cyrus?
- Cyrus ranked #268 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.